Henry Fraley
Germantown Carpenter and Drum-maker
According to the History of Old Germantown, Fraley was "a member of Jacob Sumner's company of 'Philadelphia Associators' during the Revolution." The Pennsylvania State Archives list Fraley in the 6th Company 2nd Battalion of the Philadelphia Militia.
"Mr. Rittenhouse Fraley is the grandson of Henry Fraley named in Watson's Annals, as known familiarly by George Washington, who used to spend much time in his carpenter shop. Mr. Henry Fraley made drums and other materials for the Government."
Ancient and Modern Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill by Samuel Fitch Hotchin
Henry Fraley had two daughters, Mary and Frances. Mary wed Thomas Bringhurst, carriage and drum-maker, on June 18, 1801. Frances married John Wilkinson Salter on March 30, 1816. Salter's name appears on drums, and government contracts for drums, in the 1820s. All three men's names appear on drums with similar tack designs and hand-written paper labels. To the right is section of the 1820 census from Germantown, Pa. Clearly seen are all three names.
As for Fraley, "His carpenter shops, which which were situated on the site of the present St. Stephen's Methodist Church, were burned by the British during their occupation of Philadelphia. Tradition says that these shops had been used for the manufacture of gun-carriages by Americans...In later years, he was a drum =-maker, which business was carried on by his son-in-law, Thomas Bringhurst." J. Harry Bockius
History of the Bringhurst Family by Leach, Josiah Granville
Henry Fraley secured three government contracts for drums, and drums parts, in 1817. The first two were placed on May 21st. One included, "20 new drums, 50 sets drumheads, 50 pairs drumsticks, 50 snares." The second, "32 batter heads, 45 snare heads, 55 flesh hoops, 48 cords, 58 outside hoops, 28 sets braces, varnishing 62 shells and painting hoops, lapping 47 old heads, 3 stay hoops."
Then on July 3, 1817, "10 new drums complete, 5 dozen drum snares, 5 dozen cords."
This drum carries a label indicating its manufacturer was Henry Fraley. The painting depicts a large spread winged eagle with an American shield at its center. Above the eagle is inscribed, "1st Compy. 1st. Battln 2nd Regiment."
The tack design is ever so slightly different than Bringhurst's and Wilkinson's, that being the omission of a tack separating the smaller circles between the larger.
It would also appear that Fraley may have consistently nailed his counter hoops with one row of three vertical nails, followed by two nails. These details are valuable when inspecting other drums that may have been made by the same maker, but have no label.
Also, there is uniquing wearing of the varnish near the flesh hoops displaying a much lighter color than the rest of the shell.
There is no label in this drum, however, the tack design and number of tacks are identical to the above labeled drum. The wearing of the varnish near the flesh hoops is similar, and the hoops are nailed exactly the same as the previously mentioned Fraley drum. It is safe to say, with much confidence, that this drum was made by Henry Fraley.
The hand-written label in this drum reads, "Drums Made, Sold & Repaired By, Henry Fraley, Germantown." The shell has clearly been painted blue at some point, but still very visible is the brass tack design. Most likely the counter hoops have been replaced, maybe due to the fact that the originals had cracked towards the top where each hole was drilled. This was the case with the drum above.
This maple bass drum measures 23 1/2" in diameter by 22 5/8" tall. The hoops are painted blue and stand 1 5/8" tall.
The drum exhibits the same style of tack design as those mentioned above. It carries no label and as such, remains somewhat of a mystery. The counter hoops could be replacements, but are still very much old as evidenced by their construction and use of iron nails.