Biography

01/23/1759 - 11/17/1831

Colonel Peter Frailey (D5) Berks and Schuylkill Counties, 1812-1820

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, Charles 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; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1808; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Berks County, 1809-1812; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1812-1820, unsuccessful reelection, 1820; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Treasurer, 1822; Court Prothonotary, Schuylkill County, 1824; Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphan's Court and Recorder of Deeds, Schuylkill County, 1824; died November 17, 1831 (aged 72 years 9 mo. and 24 days), Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County; interment, Saint Johns United Church of Christ Cemetery, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Early Career:

Soldier, revolution, Captain, 7th Company, 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. 

Justice of the Peace, Berks County, 1799.

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

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1808.

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

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 5th district, Berks, Schuylkill Counties, 1812- 1820, unsuccessful reelection, 1820.

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Treasurer, 1822.

Court Prothonotary, Schuylkill County, 1824. 

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

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Not currently available. 

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

Son, Charles Frailey, Pennsylvania State Senate 9th district, Columbia and Schuylkill Counties 1836-1840 8th district, Schuylkill, Carbon, Monroe, Pike Counties 1850 28th district, Schuylkill County 1851-1852.

Charles Frailey  - Pennsylvania Senate Library (pasen.gov)

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members F". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project Wilkes University.

A New Nation Votes (tufts.edu)

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

Peter Frailey (1759-1831) - Find a Grave Memorial