Jane Frazier

Who was Jane Frazier?

Jane Frazier or Fraser was a woman captured by the Indians in the 18th century. She lived in a log house built in 1754 just beyond the Cumberland, Maryland city limits. On October 1, 1755, while returning to her home from the Fort Cumberland Trading Post several miles away, Jane was captured by Indians and taken to the Miami River in Ohio. She escaped and returned 18 months later to learn that her husband, John Fraser, had remarried because he thought that she was dead. Jane’s husband took her back and sent his second wife home to her father.

Ruby Frazier Frey, a descendant, wrote a book called Red Morning telling of Jane’s experiences. The Frazier house was destroyed in the 1960s, but a marker designates its location. The former Jane Frazier house was on Route 51, Cumberland, Maryland.

Jane Frazier was born January 1, 1735 in Winchester, Virginia and died April 14, 1815 in Schellsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1754 she married John Fraser and moved to Tibbitts Creek in Maryland. In 1759, John and Jane Fraser moved near Fort Bedford. They had eight children: Benjamin, Margaret, William, James, Jane, Catherine, Mary, and Amelia.