Biography

01/23/1759 - 11/17/1831

Colonel Peter Frailey (D no district number), Berks, Schuylkill Counties, 1812- 1815 (D5) Berks, Schuylkill Counties, 1815- 1820

Early Life:

Colonel Peter Frailey, born January 23, 1759, 23 Jan 1759 Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; soldier, revolution; chairmaker; married Maria Magdalena Drinkhaus, 1780, children, Leonard Frailey, Catharine Frailey Ritter, Philip Frailey, Jacob Frailey, John Drinkwater Frailey; Sheriff, Berks County, 1794; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1796-1800; Justice of the Peace, Berks County, 1799; Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphans' Court, Justice of the Peace, Berks County, 1800; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Berks County, 1809-1812; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1812-1820; Court Prothonotary, Schuylkill County, 1824; Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphan's Court and Recorder of Deeds, Schuylkill County, 1824; died November 17, 1831, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County; interment,   Saint Johns United Church of Christ Cemetery, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Early Career:

Soldier, revolution, Captain, 7th Co., 7th Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, 1780; Captain, 4th Company, 2nd Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, 1784; Captain, 6th Company, 2nd Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, 1786; Lieutenant Colonel, 6th Regiment of Berks County Militia, 1790. While residing in Berks and Schuylkill counties, Peter continued his participation in the State Militia, eventually reaching the rank of Colonel.

Chairmaker, The Colonial American English Dictionary, by Richard M. Lederer, Jr., defines the chairs which Peter made as small two-wheeled, one-horse carriages. Also spelled chaise, cheer and shay.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Sheriff, Berks County, 1794.  

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Berks County, 1796-1800 (State Legislature)*

Justice of the Peace, Berks County, 1799.

Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphans' Court, Justice of the Peace, Berks County, 1800.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Berks County, 1809-1812.  

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, no district number, Berks, Schuylkill Counties, 1812- 1815.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 5th district, Berks, Schuylkill Counties, 1815- 1820.

Court Prothonotary, Schuylkill County, 1824.

Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphan's Court and Recorder of Deeds, Schuylkill County, 1824.

Legacy:

Inscription PETER FRAILEY

son of Leonard Frailey

born in Germantown, Pa.

Jan. 23rd 1759

died Nov. 17th 1831

aged 72 years 9 mo. and 24 days

Cited:

*(1799 - Member of Pennsylvania Legislature, Peter Frailey lodged at John Bausman's, North Queen Steet, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lancaster was the capital of Pennsylvania, 1799-1812)

Niles Weekly Register (Baltimore, Maryland) Saturday December 3, 1831.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73192119/peter-frailey