Michael Freeze was born circa 1738-1740, the son of Johann Michael Friess and his wife, Maria Charlotta Fechter. His birth and baptism record is not found in the Rossbach or Wolfstein, Germany church records. I believe he was either born on the sea en route to Philadelphia with his family, or in Berks County, Pennsylvania soon after their arrival in America.

Michael married Catharina Nied, daughter of Georg Nied of Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. I'm not sure exactly where they lived after they first married, but suspect it to have been Colebrookdale Township, Berks County. Michael's brother Henry and his wife Margaretha, as well as his sister Charlotte and her husband Melchior Hoffa, lived in Colebrookdale Township. All three couples had children baptized at the New Hanover Lutheran Church, Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Michael and Catharina baptized their first 6 children at New Hanover Lutheran Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Soon afterwards, around the year 1773, they settled in Frederick County, Maryland. Catharina's brother, George Nied, Jr., also settled in Frederick County, Maryland, and I presume they went together or around the same time. Michael's last 4 children were born in Frederick County, although the baptism for son Jacob has not been located. The name eventually evolved to FREEZE and was consistently used among the descendants of George Freeze, Michael's eldest son. Son John moved with his family circa 1823 to Coshocton County, Ohio, and preferred the FREESE spelling, which is still used by his descendants today.

Frederick County Book of Descents, March 1816 (pp 205-9):

"MICHAEL FRIEZE, died 1813. Widow Catherine and 9 children:

George Friese

John Friese

Jacob Friese

Mary wife of Jacob Valentine

Elizabeth wife of Henry Valentine

Hannah wife of John Miller

Eve wife of John Humrick

children of Catherine, deceased, wife of Jacob Sowers: Elie, Frederick, and Margaret Sowers

children of Magdalen, deceased, wife of Jacob Stevens: Lydia, Joshua, and James Stevens. John Friese guardian for minors Joshua and James Stevens/Stephanus.

Land - part of Lot #58 in Monocacy Manor (60acres) from Moses Grabill dated 7 November, 1803; and Lot #30 in Woodsbury. Lawrence Brengle surveyed the real estate 18 Jul 1815 and valued it at $3,000 and $1,000 respectfully, subject to dower; George Friese, eldest son, takes estate. Commissioners: Matthias Shroop, Jacob Wolf, George Keiler, Thomas Maxwell, Joseph Hedges, dated March, 1816."

Final Account of Catherine Freeze, Administrator of Michael Freeze, Frederick County Account #HS2, 399, June 16, 1817:

--To widow of deceased, $904.04;

--To representatives, to wit:

--George Freeze $201.05 1/9

--Elizabeth's representatives, $201.05 1/9

--Eva, wife of John Humerick, $201.05 1/9

--Hannah, wife of John Miller,$201.05 1/9

--John Freeze, $201.05 1/9

--Leanor's representatives, $201.05 1/9

--Catherine, $201.05 1/9

--Mary, w/ Jacob Valentine, $201.05 1/9

--Jacob Freeze, $201.05 1/9

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[Frederick County, MD - Equity JS-1, 307-310] Source found at MidMdRoots, now at www.usgenwebsites.org/MDFrederick/:

Petition for Deed states that Michael Frieze had died leaving heirs (they are listed). It states that Michael Frieze had sold lot 21 in Woodsborough to Jacob Frieze. The deed was granted 13 May 1819.