Person:Paul Froman (1)

Paul Froman was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Will Abstract 3 Records in Augusta County, VA 4 Notes		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Acquisition of Land from Orange County, Virginia Records:

• Pages 186-89. [185 blank]. 27-28 June 1739. John Branson of Orange County to Paul Froman of same. Lease and release; for £21 current money. 300 acres, part of tract granted to John Branson for 1,000 acres... crossing a branch of Cider (Cedar?) Creek... (signed) John Branson. Wit: Robert Turk, Peter Russell, W. Russell. 28 June 1739. Acknowledged by John Branson. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 3, Dorman, pg. 14].

• Pages 50-52. 22-23 Nov. 1742. Jost Hite of Orange County to Paul Froman of same. Lease and release; for £50 current money. 120 acres in the north fork of Sharrando River... Thomas Chester's corner... side of Sherrando (Shenandoah) River... (signed) Jost Hite. 26 9ber [Nov.] 1742. Acknowledged by Jost Hite. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 7, Dorman, pg. 41].

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 373.--Jost Hite to Paul Froman, 4th October 1749, 500 acres; lot No. 6 on Linwell's Creek.

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 289.--3d March 1756. Paul Froman, of Frederick, to George Spears, £50, 500 acres being lot No. 6 on Linnvell's Creek, conveyed to Paul by Jost Hite, 4th October 1749. Delivered: Jos. How by order Speace, March 1758.

Acquisition of Land from Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants:

• M-410: Paul Froman of Frederick County, 353 acres on Fromans Run of Cedar Creek in said County. Surv. Robert Rutherford. Adj. his own land. 3 July 1765. [Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775, Vol. 2, Gertrude E. Gray, pg. 165].

Disposition of Land from Virginia Records:

• May 1770 - Hite vs. Lord Fairfax documents: 500 acres sold by Jost Hite to Paul Froman, that Paul Froman sold 200 acres part there of to Henry Speers who sold to Daniel Stover. That Paul Froman gave the remaining part of said track of land to his two daughters Mary and Magdalen. That Mary intermarried with orator Abraham Keller and that Magdalen intermarried William Overall who sold his part. Ancestry.com Message Boards

Will Abstract

Froman, Paul. Written: 4-28-1783, Proved: 5-20-1783. Leg.: wife Elizabeth; sons Paul, Jacob; my daughters; my daughters that is deceast * * to there husbands or children. Exr.: son Jacob. Wit.: John X. Gritton, John Summit, John Woolman, Christian Samet. [Lincoln County, Kentucky Will Book 1, Page 46].

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley's:

• Page 137.--3d February, 1760. George Spears and Christina to Michael Hober, £35, on east side Linvell's Creek, 150 acres, part of 500 surveyed for Paul Froman and afterward conveyed to said George Spears; cor. John Miller's land. Teste: Henry Maese and Nicolas ( ) Mase. Delivered: Francis Morisey. April, 1763.

Notes

Tracing the History of the Descendants of Paul Forman Sr and Elizabeth Hite[1]

On 15 July 1786 Paul Froman’s son Paul Froman Jr (born in 1734) writes a letter to Benjamin Franklin, requesting information on his grandfather's estate in France. The letter can be found at http://franklinpapers.org/framedNames.jsp Paul Froman Jr states that his grandfather’s name was Solomon, not Peter which has been proliferated. The letter states that Solomon’s estate was seized by Louis XIV (reigned 1661-1715). The Edict of Nantes 1598 granted the French Huguenots the rights to practice religion without persecution form the state. A series of repressive measures against Protestants were introduced by King Louis XIV, which included the forced lodging of soldiers in Protestant homes, with the freedom to loot and bully. These policies being insufficient, on 22 Oct 1685 King Louis XIV issued the Edict of Fontainebleau, also known as the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The new Edict forbade religious practice for the Protestants and stipulated that all their church buildings should be pulled down. Pastors had to recant or go into exile; it revoked privileges for the Huguenots living in France, and 50,000 Protestant Huguenots fled from France to Germany, even though it was forbidden, rather than to submit. About this time is when Solomon would have migrated to the more religious friendly Germany and lost his estate in France. Paul Froman Jr is asking Benjamin Franklin about reclaiming the estate under the new King of France.

“Sir Being deeply interested in an event which it is said has lately taken place in France, and sensible that your knowledge of the Affairs of that Kingdom must enable you to give me information, I have presumed to address you on the subject.

Solomon Froman my Grandfather, was a Native of France and possessed of a considerable Estate in that Kingdom, from whence he was obliged to fly in Consequence of the persecution raised against the protestants in the Reign of Lewis 14th. his Estate was confiscated; his posterity in this Country are numerous and there are many families in Similar circumstances.

Now we have been informed that the present King of France has issued an Edict inviting the posterity of those who were banished or fled on Account of their Religion to return, and promising a Restoration of the Estates of their Ancestors.

Your character for benevolence and Love of your Country has emboldened me to give you this trouble and to hope for an Answer, which will confer a lasting Obligation on many Citizens of these States, and particularly on Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant

Paul Froman

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.: L: L: D: Resident of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / L: L: D: President of the / Supreme Executive Council / of the Commonwealth of / Pennsylvania “

On early documents in the 1730s, Paul Froman signed his name Froment. . Because of this the best match for the father of Paul Froman Sr, is Salomon Froment who is listed as a common man from Friesenheim, Germany. The use of the Salomon and Paul can be found in even earlier generations; Salomon Froment born about 1620 marries a Marie Betrand on 24 May 1654 in Sedan, Ardennes, France, the marriage document lists his father name as Paul Froment (b: ~ 1605). Salomon Froment and Marie Betrand have a son named Paul Froment, who was baptized in the Protestant Church in Sedan, Ardennes, France on 21 Feb 1655. Paul Froment (b: 1655) marries Marie Elisabeth Proecureur in Mannheim, Germany 26 Arp 1682. Their recorded children are Jeanne baptized 3 Feb 1683 in Mannheim, Anne Barbe baptized 24 Aug 1684 in Mannheim, Marie Anne baptized 13 Sep 1686 in Mannheim, Marquerite Froment baptized 14 Oct 1688 in Mannheim, and Paul Froment born about 1690 in Germany and dies on 18 Nov 1768 in Berlin, Germany, he marries Susanne Marie Dumont on 25 Apr 1723 in Mannheim. Salomon Froment, born about 1675; is listed as being from Friesenheim, Germany; which is located 2.8 miles from the city of Mannheim. There are three recorded births to Salomon Froment and his wife Jeanne L’Avenant; their children are baptized in Protestant Church at Oggersheim – information was found in the kirchenbuchkartei (Church Book). Pierre baptized 17 Sep 1701 from Friesenheim, Germany, godparents Pierre and Jeanne L’Avenant; Maria baptized 25 Mar 1705 from Ludwigshafen, Germany, godparents Pierre L’Avenant and Marie Coiset both from Friesenheim, and Daniel baptized Feb 1707 of Ludwigshafen, Germany, godparents Daniel and Judith Juy (Shuey) of Oggersheim. I have found no birth record for Paul Froman born about 1708, at this time. Salomon’s daughter Maria marries Abraham Saar on 7 Apr 1723 in Oggersheim, Germany, they have a child Susanna Maria Saar born in 1737, the sponsor/witness are Paul Froment and his wife Susanna (Dumont) of Mannheim. An undated Petition “Bittschrift von Refugies die in Hanau sich aufhielten” lists Salomon Froment with family and Pier L’Avanent with families as refugees in Hanau Germany; I’m not sure if is noting his arrival into Germany or signaling his departure from Germany. Geschichtsblätter des Deutschen Hugenotten-Vereins e.V.; page 40

Paul Froman was married to Elizabeth Hite before arriving in Virginia. Paul witness a document for Jost Hite on 8 May 1730 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he arrived in Virginia, he selected for his homestead a large tract of land on the North side of Cedar Creek, in then what was Orange County.

Paul Froman Sr name is entered in the record book of Orange County, Virginia in 1737, he purchased 300 acres from John Branson for £21 on 27 Jun 1739, Orange County Deed book 3, page 188-189. The 300 acres tract, were part of Branson’s 1,000-acre patent land of 1734, and is located on both sides of Cedar Creek in Frederick and Shenandoah counties, about one-mile northwest of Marlboro, Virginia. Paul Froman Sr on 22 Nov 1742 purchased 120 acres on the North fork of the Sherando River from Jost Hite, adjoining Thomas Chester Orange County Deed Book 7 page 50-51 Paul Froman Sr purchased 214 acres from Lord Fairfax on 30 Mar 1753. This tract of land is located adjacent northeast of the 300-acre tract of county highway 622 and Cedar Creek Road running near the west and northwest property lines. On 3 Jul 1765, Paul Sr received an additional grant from Lord Fairfax of 353 acres, which is adjacent to the 300-acre tract on Froman Run Frederick County, Land Grants 1742-175, Vol 2 page 165. Paul Sr and his wife Elizbeth Froman sold the 214-acre tract along with 11 acres of the 300-acre tract to Benjamin Fry for 40 shillings on 1 Dec 1760. Benjamin and his wife Catherine Fry sold the two tracts back to Paul Froman Sr for £50 on 2 Jun 1766 Frederick County Deed Book 6, page 136-141. Paul Sr and Elizabeth sold 121 ½ acres part of the 353-acre tract to Jacob Hite for £20 on 20 Apr 1767. Paul Sr and Elizabeth sold the reminder of their land in the Cedar Creek area 574 acres to Abraham Farrell of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for £300 on 2 Nov 1767 Frederick County Deed Book 12, page 40-44. Paul Froman Sr purchased land on the north fork of the Shenandoah River from Jost Hite for £50 on 22 Nov 1742 Orange County Deed Book 7, page 50-52. Paul and Elizabeth then sold 120-acre tract to son-in-law Nathaniel Cartmell (husband of Elizabeth) for £50 on 2 Mar 1760 Frederick County Deed Book 5, page 395-398. Paul Froman Sr bought 500 acres on the South River of Shenandoah above Robert McKay’s old place from Jost Hite for £15 on 27 Apr 1742. He sold this tract to son-in-laws Henry Speers (husband of Regina), Abraham Kellar (husband of Maria) and William Overall (husband of Magdalen) Hite vs Fairfax 1770.

The Naturalization of Paul Froman from 4 Aug 1747, Frederick County, Virginia, Orders Book 2 (1745-1748) page 256. In it he states that he has been a resident of the colony for 7 years (at least) and not absent there from two months, which matches the language of the act.

Paul Froman German Protestant having made it appear to the court that he has been an inhabitant of this colony seven years not absent there for t two month at one time during the said Term and having prescribed a certification under the hand of the John Bartholomew that he had received the sacrament of the Lord Supper as the Act of Parliament Directs to the oath prescribed by Act Parliament to be taken instead of the oath of allegiance and Supremacy and the oath of Allegiance and succession the test in order to obtain Naturalization ___ admitted to record

The Naturalization Act 1740 Parliament of Great Britain Long title An Act for Naturalizing such foreign Protestants and others therein mentioned, as are settled or shall settle in any of His Majesty's Colonies in America. Citation 13 Geo. 2 c 7 Territorial extent British America Dates Commencement 1 June 1740 Other legislation Amended by Extended by, 20 Geo. 2, c. 44, Sec. 1.), Aliens Act 1746. The Plantation Act 1740 (referring to colonies) or the Naturalization Act 1740[1] are common names [2][3] used for an act of the British Parliament (13 Geo. 2 c.7) that was officially titled An Act for Naturalizing such foreign Protestants and others therein mentioned, as are settled or shall settle in any of His Majesty's Colonies in America. The act became effective 1 June 1740 and allowed any Protestant alien residing in any of their American colonies for seven years, without being absent from that colony for more than two months, would be deemed to be one of "his Majesty’s natural-born subjects of this Kingdom." The act also required making specific declarations concerning royal allegiance and succession, profession of the Christian faith, and the payment of two shillings. Compared to other alternatives available at the time, the act provided a cheap and easy method of imperial naturalization, and the length of residency was not unreasonable.

Myths and Fake Traditions The name of Paul Froman's father as "Peter Froman". Seemed to gain acceptance around 1990 and apparently stems from an attempt to link the German-born Paul Froman to an old Dutch family in New York named Vrooman. In all my years of Froman research I never heard of "Peter". Most of the old errors on the Fromans come from either TK Cartmell’s book: Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and their descendants; a history of Frederick County, Virginia from its Formation in 1738 to 1908 or the research conducted by Colonel Matthew Reasoner: The Reasoners and Their Kin. Both were good scholars but so many records were unavailable to them. TK Cartmell was particularly bad about mixing up his generations and is particularly bad on his own Cartmell family unfortunately. He uses the word “tradition” 82 times to fill-in for many of his missing sources and facts. I believe TK Cartmell started the “Quaker from New Jersey” idea on Paul Froman Sr, when it really applies to his own family. By the 1960’s the Cartmell researchers had already ruled out Paul Jr’s wife being a Cartmell, but the idea persists to this day on Ancestry, etc. There are several Quaker practices which helps us know that Paul Froman Sr and his children were not Quakers. 1. Lord Supper - One of the distinguishing features of the Quakers from most other Christian bodies is the absence of the observance of Lord's Supper. In the 4 Aug 1747 Naturalization document of Paul Froman Sr - it is noted that he took the Lord's Supper. 2. Another distinguishing feature is that Quakers do not conduct baptisms. They believe that water baptisms occurred during the time of Christ, but that they were not intended to be practiced continually. They believe the rite fails to hold the meaning for believers today that it did when it was initially practiced. In the Quakers' view, this makes baptism unnecessary. To make this point, Quakers often point to John the Baptist's claim that "I baptize you with water, but after me comes One who is greater than I...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Paul Froman's children were baptized by the Rev John Casper Stoever. 3. Oaths - Quakers to not take oaths. The Quakers Act of 1695 was an act of the Parliament of England which allowed Quakers to substitute an affirmation where the law previously required an oath. The act did not apply to the oaths required when giving evidence in a criminal case or to serve on a jury or to hold any office of profit from the crown. It allowed legal proceedings to be taken against Quakers before a Justice of the Peace for refusing to pay tithes if the amount claimed did not exceed £10. Paul Froman Sr takes several oaths. 4. Quaker do not give evidence in criminal causes, or bear office. The Quakers Act of 1695 provided and be it enacted that no Quaker or reputed Quaker shall by virtue of this Act be qualified or permitted to give evidence in any criminal causes or serve on any juries or bear any office or place of profit in the government anything in this Act contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. Paul Froman gives evidence in criminal cases and served on several juries. 5. Marriage - Quakers forbid the marrying of 1st cousin. There are many examples of Fromans marrying 1st cousins. We know that Paul Froman Sr was not only not from New Jersey but he was 100% not a Quaker.

Reasoner’s book had been cited as a source so many times I thought surely, he had spent years in various archives researching these families like the Fromans; it was a huge disappointment. Only the first two or three pages had anything to do with the early immigrants and appeared to have been info found in books at the Library of Congress in perhaps one or two visits. The balance of the manuscript was on the many Reasoner descendants, mostly gathered from correspondence. I found nothing original or worth preserving. It became apparent that Colonel Reasoner, also made several conclusions without having all the facts. Like TK Cartmell, he uses many of the same words to fill-in for actual facts/sources: tradition - 10, assumed – 5, apparently – 1, supposed – 2, believed – 6, interpret – 1, suggest – 2, possible – 3, probably – 8, probable – 5, perhaps – 1, presumably – 1, natural to suppose – 3, to be proven – 2, one can only conjecture – 1, must have been – 1, must have known – 1, seems – 1, we think – 2, more than likely – 1, if such is the case – 1, undoubtedly – 1, it is logical – 1, logical, direction -1, the belief – 1, reasonably sure – 1, it would appear – 2, may well have – 1, could have been -1. Colonel Reasoner had picked up references to a man he called Peter Froman from the Albany NY records (Vrooman) and assumed he must be the father of the three children he postulated. I have researched the Dutchman in Albany and enough is known about him to rule him out as being any connection to our Paul Froman. Some have also mentioned the book "The Houseman Family of Westmoreland County, PA" by Harry Houseman Fraizer, published in 1937; Froman is mentioned on pages 81, 86, and 90; the only reference/source sited is an "Excerpt from Colonel Matthew Reasoner's book. So, Fraizer, like so many other are referencing another book as a source. Peter as Paul Froman’s father appeared in print in Marie Anderson's The Reasoner Story and became popular. Marie Anderson’s book on the Reasoners compounds many of these so-called “traditions”. Marie Anderson uses the same old Albany New York references that Colonel Reasoner had used. Marie Anderson's book states Paul Froman came from a well-known New Jersey family, the problem with this is that the Vrooman family had been in the Colonies/New York for decades before Paul was even born, which would have made him born in the Colonies, we know this statement is false, due to the fact that Paul Froman was Naturalize as a subject of the British Crown in 1747, Paul Sr states that he is a German Protestant 4 Aug 1747, Frederick County, Virginia , Orders Book 2 (1745-1748) page 256. The adaption/adoption of the name Hyman Peter Froman evens seems to be more recent, if you actually read the immigration records for Hyman Peter Froman (composer/music teacher), who was born 20 March 1886 in Russia, and arrive in New York on 2 Feb 1926. Neither Peter or Hyman Peter Froman are Paul Froman's father.