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Facts and Events
John Frazier was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Will of John Frazier
From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:
- Page 276.—24th May, 1809. John Frazier's will—To nephew, Samuel C. Frazer, son to deceased brother, Samuel, adjoining testator's brother, James ; to brother, James; to nephew, Jno. W. Frazer, and his brother, James. Teste: James Paul, Ezekiel Cooper, Archibald Gay. Proved, 26th June, 1809. Administration granted James Frazer. (Note: since John's wife Jennet was not named in this will, it is assumed that she had died prior to 1809. It is interesting that John does not name any of his three sons in his will, making it possible that he had given them portions of his estate while stil alive).
Information on John Frazier
From "Early History of Middle Tennessee", by Edward Albright, 1909:
- In January a band of horse thieves, probably Creeks, who having ended a war in Georgia now turned their attention to the Cumberland, appeared in the region around Bledsoe's Lick. During the night they stole all William HALL'S horses, twelve in number, from an enclosure near his house. Fearing for the safety of his family, HALL now moved back to Bledsoe's fort, where he remained until fall, when he again returned to his plantation. About the first of February a party, consisting of John PEYTON, Ephraim and Thomas PEYTON, his brothers; John FRAZIER, Thomas PUGH and Esquire GRANT, went hunting and surveying in Smith County. They camped on what is now known as defeated Creek, north of Carthage. The weather was cold, the ground being covered with snow, and they had built a log fire around which they were lounging late at night. About ten o'clock the dogs belonging to the party began to bark and run about the camp, but the hunters supposed that wild animals were prowling around, having been attracted thither by the fresh meat of which they had killed a large quantity. John PEYTON raised himself on his elbow and was in the act of hissing the dogs on when a band of about sixty Indians, led by "Hanging Maw", the Cherokee chief, fired a volley in upon the unsuspecting whites as they lay stretched around the camp fire. Four of the six were wounded. John PEYTON'S arm was broken in two places. Thomas PEYTON was shot in the shoulder, Esquire GRANT in the thigh, and John FRAZIER through the calf of the leg. Ephraim PEYTON escaped a shot, but put his ankle out of place in jumping down a bluff on the bank of the creek. As he sprang to his feet in the beginning of the attack John PEYTON threw over the fire a blanket which was around him, and in the darkness the party separated and fled through the lines of the enemy. In so doing they left behind them their horses, saddles and bridles, surveyor's compass and camp outfit, all of which the Indians captured. The entire party finally reached Bledsoe's fort in safety, coming in one at a time and each reporting that his comrades were killed or captured. (Note: this is apparently referring to this John Frazier. John's brother, James Frazier mentioned a "Nathan Pugh" in his will, who was probably related to the Thomas Pugh, listed above).
References
- ↑ Wilson, Howard McKnight. The Tinkling Spring, headwater of freedom: a study of the church and her people, 1732-1952. (Fishersville, Virginia: Tinkling Spring and Hermitage Presbyterian Churches, 1954).
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