Johannes Freas (1710-1771)

Anna Sophia Hoffman (?-after 1774)

Spelling variations of this German name include Fries, Freiss, Friss and Frace.

Johannes was born in 1710 in Zweibreuken, Germany, which was part of the Palatinate which figured so prominently in the history of the time. There were several of that surname arriving in America as immigrants, but to date no positive identification can be found of this Johannes.

Johannes first appears in the record 28 November 1751 as purchasing 350 acres of land in Knowleton Township, Sussex County, New Jersey (now Warren County) from John Honeywell. His land was located near Blairstown, southwest of Buttermilk Pond (now Cedar Lake) near Kalamara.

He died there in 1771. His will is number 159-S, Trenton files. The will stated that Sophia was to have one acre and a new house.

Lacking positive information, the will suggests very close ties to the Hoffman family. An Anne Hoffman is mentioned, although her relationship is not given. Also, Philip Hoffman was "to get the rest" after all bequests had been made. This leads us to believe that his widow, Anna Sophia Hoffman may have been his second wife.

From the data available, it is possible that the first five children, Catharine, Ann, Johannes, Martinus and Anna Marie were the children of the first wife, and that the last four were of Sophia. It may be that Johannes and Philip Hoffman, likely her brother, had a private agreement that he would care for the children.

Anna Sophia Freas appears in the 1774 tax list. There is no further record of her.

The children were:

    Catharina Freas		   m. Johannes Snyder
    Ann Elizabeth Freas	1741-1807  m. Adam Snyder
    Johannes Henrich F. 1744-1778  m. Catherine Bellis
    Martinus Fries	1748-1821  m. Jannetje Winterstein
    Anna Maria Freas		   m. Johannes Engel
    Catharina Freas
    Adam Freas		1759-1862  m. Elizabeth King
    Maria Freas		   ?-1829  m. Thomas Bowman
    John Freas		1762-1848  m. Dorcas Hoffman

Ann Freas (1741 - 1807)

Adam Snyder (1739 - 1826)

For information on this family, see the SNYDER section of this history.

Thank you for visiting our family history.

You can click here to go back to the top of this family page.

Or, Return to the Family Surname list.

Comments are welcome, and any additions or corrections are especially appreciated.

You can reach us at: geneals@earthlink.net

Updated 4-5-03