Fries' Rebellion

views updated

FRIES' REBELLION

FRIES' REBELLION (1799) was the armed resistance of certain farmers in Bucks and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania to a federal tax on land and houses. The insurgents, led by John Fries, a traveling venduecrier, or auctioneer, harrassed assessors and forced the release of men imprisoned in Bethlehem for similar resistance to the tax. Federal troops were sent, and the rebellion was

[Image not available for copyright reasons]

put down. John Fries was captured, tried twice for treason, and, along with two other men, sentenced to be hanged. The date of the execution had been set when Fries obtained a pardon from President John Adams.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davis, William W. H. The Fries Rebellion, 1798–1799. 1899. Reprint, New York: Arno Press, 1969.

H. H.Shenk/a. r.

See alsoInsurrections, Domestic ; Taxation .

About this article

Fries' Rebellion

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article