Richard Fristoe

Died after 8 Apr 1708 in Richmond, Virginia

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Biography

The Fristoes immigrated from Great Britain to Virginia in the mid-17th century. Their founder in America was Robert Fristoe (1615-1689) who immigrated in 1635, later marrying a Dorothy (presumed Mansell). They began appearing in records of Old Rappahannock County in 1662, and in York County, Virginia the same decade. This couple had at least three sons named David, John and George (with Richard as a probable fourth), before her death (1670-75). With his second wife, Robert Fristoe had Robert, Jane and Mary Fristoe between 1676 and 1682.

The Fristoes of Stafford County likely descend from this family. The given names Richard, Robert, George, Catherine, Jane, Anne, and William appear in the Fristoe families of both Rappahannock/Richmond and Stafford. The last Fristoe birth recorded in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County was in 1719; Richard Fristoe appears in Stafford County in 1723, just 4 years later.

Richard Fristoe appears in a few records in Richmond and Lancaster County court. Abstracted here:

Aug. 24, 1704: "Richard Fristo" witnessed an indenture and quit claim between Richard King and Samuel Sanford in Richmond County Court.

April 12, 1705: Indenture between John Wade of North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, son of the late John Wade of Lancaster County and "Richard Frister" and Lettice, his wife, daughter of deceased John Wade of Lancaster County and Abigaill Wade on one part; and Capt. William Fox--sold to Fox the old Wade land on Morraticoe Creek, bordering Abraham Moone. John Wade had bought the property from Thomas Thompson. (Note: John Wade and wife Jane had a son Joseph Wade in North Farnham, b. Dec. 17, 1711).

April 16, 1707: "By paid Rich'd Fristoe for goeing to the office" Richmond County court. Evidently paid Mr. Edward Bromley, a tailor. (Richmond County Records/Virginia Colonial Abstracts, pg. 295)

May 8, 1707: Attachment granted to John White due to non-appearance of Richard Fristoe in Richmond County court. (Richmond County Court Orders)

July 3, 1707: The action brought by John White against Richard Fristoe is dismissed, the plaintiff not prosecuting. On the same date, the action brought by Richard Fristoe against John Wade was dismissed, the plaintiff not prosecuting. (Wade briefly sued Robert Fristoe in Richmond County court, Dec. 4, 1707)

April 8, 1708: The action brought by Richard Fristoe against Gabriel Alloway is dismissed, the plaintiff not prosecuting. (Richmond County Court Orders)

Richard Fristoe of Richmond County could be either the Richard of Stafford County, or his father.

Richard Fristoe of Richmond was born no later than 1684; probably before 1683. He was married before 1705 and appear in legal records 1704-1708. He could be a son of David (b.1657) but probably not of George or John, whose children from that period are well documented. The fact that his brother-in-law John Wade sued Robert Fristoe in 1705 suggests Richard and Robert (1676-1721) may be brothers.

Richard Fristoe of Stafford had his first known child (Richard Jr.) in 1714 (age 10 in 1724 census of tobacco tenders)... if Richard was married in 1705 or earlier he would have had a whole decade of unknown children, none of whom were named in the tobacco tender's list of 1724. It is far more likely that Richard Fristoe of Richmond is the father of Richard of Stafford. If this is the case, he cannot be a son of anyone but Robert Sr (d. 1689). David was clearly the oldest of Robert's sons, and being born circa 1657, cannot be the great grandfather of the Richard Fristoe who was born in 1714.

Sources

Order Books of Richmond County and Lancaster County, Virginia, DAR Library, Washington, DC

Tobacco Tender's List of Stafford County, 1724: http://eservice.pwcgov.org/library/digitallibrary/PDF/Prince%20William%20County%20People,%201723-1782.pdf