Fries, John

(1750–1818) revolutionary insurgent; born in Montgomery County, Pa. An itinerant auctioneer, he became captain of a revolutionary militia company in Bucks County, Pa., (1775). In 1794 he participated in the so-called Whiskey Rebellion, when Pennsylvania farmers resisted federal efforts to impose a tax on their whiskey production. Then in 1799 he took the lead in resisting a federal property tax of 1798; he signed a petition denouncing the tax and led a band of 50 men to eject persistent collectors and to liberate prisoners in federal custody. Stopped by federal militia, he was twice sentenced to death for treason but was pardoned by President John Adams.

References in periodicals archive

Like other notable writers in the field, such as John Hockenberry, Kenny Fries, John Charlton, and Lennard Davis, Longmore's skillful blending of personal experience and professional knowledge support Michael Oliver's impassioned statement that "the personal is the political"

Paul K. Longmore, Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.