Potomac River Valley of Jefferson County West Virginia

This is near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where Israel Friend, an Indian Trader and Frontiersman, once lived. This view is from Israel Friend's homestead at the top of the hill, overlooking the valley. IIt still maintains the same overview as it once did in the days of Israel Friend, when he lived there. It is believed that Israel Friend was the first white man to settle in this part of West Virginia where many Indians once lived in this beautiful valley.

An Indian Deed

This is a Historical Road Marker of Israel Friend, a Frontiersman and Indian Trader. Israel Friend was also named Ambassador to Maryland by Lord Baltimore in dealing and trading with the Indians. He truly was a remarkable Friend Ancestor.

To read a wonderful article about Israel Friend the Frontierman, Click Here.

Israel Friend's Home near Harpers Ferry

This is the home of Israel Friend near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia overlooking the Potomac River Valley. This house had been restored in 1997. Israel Friend had made his money in Ore Mining in the hills nearby. As you can see they lived pretty well back in the 1700's. This house was built in the 1700's.

Above are a couple of photos taken by Mark Friend as to how the house looks like inside today (July 2003). The photo on the left is example of how thick the wall were made at the time it was built. The photo on the right is the same fireplace that Israel and Sarah (Bokavar) Friend to cook and heat their home back in 1728.

Friend's Fort Marker

This is a photo of a Historical Road Marker near Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia of Friend's Fort, which Jonas and Joseph Friend built during their perilous time with the local Indians.

It Reads:
"Near This Marker is the Site of Friend's Fort - Built in 1772, Jonas Friend and Joseph Friend Braved the Wilderness and Established a Settlement on the Frontier. Joseph Friend Was Later a Captain in the War of the Revolution. Placed by John Hart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Elkins, West Virginia, 1926."

Thanks to Nancy Gibson Barr for transcribing this correctly

To learn more about Jonas Friend and the Friend's Fort, Click Here.
 

Jonas Friend's Headstone

This is the headstone of Jonas Friend, the son of Israel Friend. He died on 15 Nov 1807 and was buried at Crystal Springs, Randolph County, West Virginia.

According to this book this is what was on the headstone:

"They Rest Quietly Cemetery Records of Randolph County, West Virginia" by Odie Velta Nestor Chapman [deceased], 1996, page 145:

Friend, Jonas (102) Born no date Died 1807 Sgt. in French & Indian War (1754 -1760) [sic], Constable, Rockingham Co., WV (1768). Builder, Friend's Fort, Leading Creek, Randolph Co., WV (1774), Commissioner of Peace (1777), Commissioner of Justice (1781)
Son of: Isreal Friend of Frederick Co., MD
Hus. of: Sarah Skidmore

Friend, Sarah (102) Born no date Died 1808
Dau. of: Joseph & Rachael Skidmore
Wife of: Jonas Friend


Cemetery code (102) = Friend, Jonas, Leadsville District

Directions to Jonas FRiend's Grave Site. From Elkins, take Rt. 250 west to property of Margaret Talbott Ward at Crytstal [sic] Springs near weight station. South side of highway. Private land. Two graves marked. Three unmarked. See Randolph Co. Historical society Book 11, pages 19-22 for information on Jonas Friend.

To learn more about Jonas Friend as Captain of the Point Pleasant Battle, Click Here.