Joseph Frye facts for kids

Joseph Frye (born March 19, 1712 – died July 25, 1794) was an important military leader from colonial Maine. Back then, Maine was part of Massachusetts.

Joseph Frye was a key figure in expanding the colonial frontier. He helped settle new areas that were once home to the French and Abenaki people. He is seen as a successor to another famous frontiersman, John Lovewell.

Life as a Military Leader

Joseph Frye was born in Andover, Massachusetts. He became a general in the Massachusetts militia. This happened after he fought in two big wars: King George's War and the French and Indian War.

During the French and Indian War, Joseph Frye worked with Edward Winslow. He helped build Fort Halifax in what is now Maine. He also took part in important battles like the Battle of Fort Beauséjour and the Battle of Petitcodiac. He even commanded Fort Gaspareaux.

In August 1757, he was at Lake George during the Siege of Fort William Henry. Later, he returned to Nova Scotia and took charge of Fort Cumberland.

For his service in these wars, the Massachusetts General Court gave him a piece of land in 1762. This land was on the Saco River and used to be a village of the Sokokis Abenaki people called Pequawket. In 1777, this area became a town called Fryeburg, Maine, named in his honor.

Joseph Frye also served in the early days of the American Revolutionary War. First, he was a major general in the Massachusetts militia. Then, for a short time, he was a brigadier general in the Continental Army. He decided to resign on April 23, 1776. He felt his age made it hard for him to be on active duty.

Legacy

Joseph Frye's name lives on in places like Frye Island, Maine, and the town of Fryeburg, Maine.