John FRYER - (Abt. 1762 - 1816)

John FRYER was the eldest child of Richard FRYER and Mary (nee HARVEY) and was baptized in Fretherne, Gloucestershire, on 12th November 1762.

Although his family appear to have been located in Fretherne when John was small, it wasn't too long before they were resident in nearby Overton, Arlingham, where several generations of FRYERS had dwelt beforehand. John was described as a yeoman and gentleman.

************************************

When John's father, Richard FRYER of Overton, wrote his will in 1790, he appointed John as his executor. Richard died in May 1792 and the will was proved in May 1793. John was also named as one of the beneficiaries in the will...

"...And I give and devise my Close of Pasture Ground called Mongrove’s Leaze situate in the Parish of Arlingham aforesaid my two Acres of Land lying dispersedly in a Common Field in the said Parish of Arlingham called Mongrove and my Moiety or half part of and in a Close of Pasture Ground called Townham Mead situate in the said Parish of Arlingham with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances Unto and to the Use of my Son John his Heirs and Assigns for ever charged and chargeable nevertheless...

...And All my Stock of Horses Cattle Corn Goods Chattels Rights Credits and all other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my said Son John to and for his own Use And I do hereby make and appoint him my said Son John sole Executor of this my Will..."

When the will was proved, John was described as 'John FRYER of Overton in the Parish of Arlingham'.

Interestingly, the will of John's grandfather, also John FRYER (abt. 1695-1757), mentioned land called 'Towny Mead' originally left to his wife, Mary, and then in turn to their eldest son John who died, seemingly without issue - could this be the same land referred to as Townham Mead left to John by his father, Richard? A field called Towny Mead still existed in 1802 according to a map of Arlingham field names which appears in the book, 'Arlingham - A Snapshot in Time', compiled by the residents of Arlingham for the Millenium.

************************************

John's first wife was Phoebe TAYSUM, whom he married in October 1791. She was probably pregnant at the time as their son, Richard, was privately baptized in January of the following year. The parish records of Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, recorded the marriage as follows...

John Fryer of the Parish of Arlingham in this County and Phoebe Taysum of this Parish were Married in this Church by Licence this Third Day of October in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety one By me Geo. Wallett Curate.
This Marriage was solemnized between Us
John Fryer
Phebe Taysum (Both signed)
In the Presence of Sarah Fryer x her Mark
Jno. Taysum, Tobias Cowles (Both signed)

...John and Phoebe had three children together but, sadly, Phoebe died less than three years after their marriage and was buried in Arlingham.

************************************

The Arlingham Enclosure Act of 1801 reveals that John FRYER of Overton was one of a few substantial landowners in Arlingham at that time. A map of the original Act demonstrates that he owned several fields adjacent to the location of Meadowland Farm, which was later occupied by John's granddaughter, Mary Ann FRYER and her husband, Daniel Bailey PITCHER.

The older barn at Meadowland bears a carving in a beam, ‘JF 1791’. John had married Phoebe in that year, which was the year before his father died. Perhaps he had taken over the running of the farm around that time and made improvements to the barn, leaving his initials in the beam for posterity.

************************************

In 1800, with a young family, John married a widow in Arlingham Parish Church, named Carolina HALL (formerly BROWNING), who already had three children of her own...

Banns of Marriage between
John Fryer of this Parish Widower and Carolina Hall of this Parish Widow Married in this Church by Licence this eighth Day of May in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred by me T Jackson Vicar
This Marriage was solemnized between Us
John Fryer (signed)
The Mark + Carolina Hall
In the Presence of
Mary Longney
Elizabeth Moore (Both signed)

Photographs of St Mary the Virgin's Church in Arlingham can be seen in the Gallery.

Between 1801 and 1809, John and Carolina (also known as Caroline) had four more children together. Their first, Hannah, was baptized in January 1801, leaning towards the probability that Caroline was also pregnant when the couple married.

************************************

John died in 1816, aged about 53, and was buried in the churchyard in Arlingham. The parish records state the following...

Name: John Fryer
Abode: Overton, Arlingham
Date: March 12 1816
Age: 54
Minister: John Sayer Vicar

************************************

John died intestate and in November 1817, his eldest son, Richard, applied to administer his father's estate...

8th November 1817

On which day appeared personally Richard Fryer and alleged that John Fryer late of the Parish of Arlingham in the County and Diocese of Gloucester Yeoman lately died Intestate and that he was and is the natural and lawful Son and one of the next of kin of the said deceased.

Wherefore he prayed that Administration of all and Singular the Goods Chattels Rights and Credits of the said deceased might be granted and commuted to him upon giving such good and sufficient Security as in this behalf is required and to forth-

(Signed by) Richd Fryer

Let Admon pass as above prayed.
Under £800.

(Signed by) Chas. Palmer Sur.

...The administration documententation continued...

Know all Men by these presents that We Richard Fryer of Overton in the Parish of Arlingham in the County of Gloucester Yeoman Thomas Jones of Arlingham aforesaid Butcher? And John Chesterton of the City of Gloucester [occupation illegible] are held and firmly bound unto the Honble Right Revd Henry Lord Bishop of Gloucester in Sixteen hundred Pounds of good and lawful Money…etc.

...The document also confirms that John FRYER had been a yeoman of Arlingham.

************************************

Intriguingly, the death certificate for John's widow, Caroline, reveals that John may have been an inn keeper although nothing more of this is known.

************************************

Photographs of Arlingham and a video clip of the view overlooking Arlingham can be viewed in the Gallery.

John FRYER's story is included in the document, The Fryer Family of Overton Arlingham, Gloucestershire, available for download in the Shop.

Copies of John's signature can be found in the 'Resources > Fryer Miscellany' section.

« Back to Previously Visited Page

« Biographies Index - (Hibbitt Family Tree)