Background
He was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, the son of Joseph Fry.
(Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to ...)
Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to California by Joshua Fry Speed. This book is a reproduction of the original book published in 1884 and may have some imperfections such as marks or hand-written notes.
https://www.amazon.com/Reminiscences-Abraham-Lincoln-Notes-California-ebook/dp/B01IYFHKOQ?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01IYFHKOQ
(Given the intimacy of the friendship between Abraham Linc...)
Given the intimacy of the friendship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Fry Speed, it's remarkable that there is not more biographical information about Speed. There have been a few sketches and at least one book on the relationship of the Speed brothers to Lincoln. In this long-forgotten, slim volume, Joshua Speed himself offers a lecture on his memories of his dear friend, Lincoln. Also included is a short biographical sketch of Speed and a lecture he delivered regarding a trip to California. Speed died in 1882. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
https://www.amazon.com/Reminiscences-Abraham-Lincoln-Notes-California-ebook/dp/B00ICWWABA?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00ICWWABA
He was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, the son of Joseph Fry.
The records of Oxford University state that he matriculated at Wadham College, on March 31, 1718, at the age of eighteen.
In 1729 he was made master of the grammar school connected with William and Mary, and in 1731 he became professor of natural philosophy and mathematics in the College.
In 1744 he was living in Goochland County on Hardware River near Carter's Bridge, between the present Charlottesville and Scottsville. When Albemarle County was formed from Goochland in 1745, Joshua Fry, Gentleman, was made first presiding justice of the county, justice in the court of chancery, county surveyor, and one of the first two representatives from the county in the colonial House of Burgesses, in which body he remained an active member until his death.
He was also appointed in 1745 county lieutenant, a position of great honor and responsibility.
In 1746 he aided, as the King's representative, in establishing the boundaries of Lord Fairfax's grant in the Northern Neck. Three years later, Fry and Peter Jefferson were commissioned to run part of the Virginia-Carolina boundary line.
In 1752 Fry was commissioned with three others to treat with the Six Nations, together with the Shawnee, Mingo, and Delaware tribes. They secured the timely and important treaty of Logstown (near the forks of the Ohio) in which these tribes promised not to molest the English settlers southeast of the Ohio.
Fry accompanied it with an account of frontier settlements and of western lands, which he drew chiefly from his unusually large collection of source material relating to New France, and from conversations with his neighbor, Dr. Thomas Walker.
(Given the intimacy of the friendship between Abraham Linc...)
(Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln and Notes of a Visit to ...)
He was a colonel of militia and a member of the governor's council in 1750, and in 1752 was a commissioner to treat with the Indians at Logtown.
Quotes from others about the person
According to a contemporary, Fry later removed "to the back settlements in order to raise a fortune for his family. "
He was married to Mary (Micou) Hill, a widow, the daughter of Paul Micou, a physician.