“He Wasn’t Much of a Water Man"--The Life & Legend of John B. Frizzell

Recognized as the oldest building still standing on the C & O Canal, construction on the Abner Cloud House began in 1798 and finished in 1801. Historians speculate that the land may have been given to Abner Cloud as a wedding gift in 1796 by his brother-in-law, Jesse Baily. While the house is the only remaining structure, Cloud's original design for the building included a mill, which provided flour to the surrounding area and eventually the expanding city of Washington, DC. The mill, which was constructed upstream from the home, produced a popular flour called "Evermay" until it closed. Mills were incredibly frequent along waterways in early America, with approximately 22,573 mills in the United States in 1870. Mills were essential for converting raw grain into the processed flour used in cooking and baking. In addition to flour, many mills processed corn for meal and animal feed.

19th century mills were fueled by waterways, whose force powered the gears that turned the milling stones. These stone grinders were usually imported from France and were flat stones, with one stationery and one mobile. The grain was often poured into a hole in the top and flour filtered out through the hole in the bottom. While the technology differed slightly between mills and evolved over time, this basic concept of water-powered grinding remained constant.

Built alongside what was originally called "Little Falls Skirting Canal" (created through George Washington's Potomac Company), Abner Cloud and his wife Suzanne likely lived in the unfinished house as it was constructed by local stone masons. It is unknown whether enslaved persons were involved in constructing the property. The stone used for construction was likely brought in from a local quarry (a few of which used enslaved labor).Abner Cloud would only live in the house for 11 years before his death in 1812, but the mill itself would go on to become the home of John "Bull" Frizzell (also noted as James B. Frizzell in some documents).

Remembered as both a local legend and a neighborhood menace, "Bull" Frizzell became the center of Georgetown folklore in the late 19th century. As with most stories passed down orally, the tales that cite Frizzell tend to be contradictory, reiterating the same events with slightly different endings.

In most accounts of Frizzell, he is described as a gargantuan, cold-blooded, aggressive man who inspired terror in children. According to research by Cathy Ball, he bought the "Old Stone House" property from Abner Cloud's descendants in 1852. Censuses from the time period list his occupation as both a fisherman and a farmer, yet various sources claim that he was known for capturing runaway slaves, betting on horses, stealing livestock, and being an alcoholic.

Known for his "herculean stature" and bad temper, the most cited stories that involve John "Bull" Frizzell include the following:

Iron Plate in His Head: While the Chain Bridge was still under construction, John B. Frizzell was involved in placing the supports underneath the structure. One of these supports malfunctioned, and a huge slab from the bridge fell upon John and crushed him under the water. His body was recovered but his skull had been fractured. The Washington Post cited this incident in an article about Frizzell in 1897: "Charlie Barnes was one who helped carry him to the old Stone House 'to die.' His ribs were broken, his arms crushed, his skull beaten in––there was no hope. Three doctors from Georgetown came, laid him on the floor of the old Stone House, took ten pieces of bone from his skull and as many more from his body, then inserted a silver plate in the great hole in his temple." John Frizzell became such a legend that in stories written after this incident, many cited him as the hero who had saved the man crushed by the bridge, instead of the man who required rescuing.

Eternal Feud with the Woody Family: As neighbors to John Frizzell, the Woody family accused him of illicit activity and encroaching upon their property. Sources cite that "Old Man Woody" and "Bull Frizzell" would spend all afternoon shooting at each other from their attic windows. On one occasion, it appears that there was a veritable battle between the two men, involving guns and clubs, which ended in blood and two criminal lawsuits. Apparently neither went to court. While John was on his deathbed, he asked for word to be sent to Old Man Woody. John craved Woody's forgiveness, and desired a reconciliation. "Ole man Woody sent back word that he’d meet Bull Frizzel in hell, an’ they could hev it out then."

Well-Poisoning During the Civil War: Recognized as an outspoken Confederate sympathizer who was prone to criminal behavior, Frizzell was arrested multiple times throughout the Civil War. An encampment housing soldiers from Michigan overlooked the Chain Bridge near Frizzell's home, and he was cited in various documents from the time period. A series of war papers read before the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States provided the following description: "The soldiers of the 2nd regiment were greatly interested in a resident near the camp known as Bull Frizzel. He kept himself saturated with a country liquor called peach brandy, which rendered him very inflammable and caused him to give utterance to a good deal of 'secesh' sentiment, and kept him in the guard house most of the time. As he was the only rebel in sight it was frequently proposed that we begin our work by shooting him, but calmer counsels prevailed, and we left him to the slower, but not less sure course, marked out by himself, and the worm of the still."

Another incident cited in newspaper articles from the time quoted the following story: "Arrest of the Notorious “Bull Frizzle,” Otherwise John Frizzell.––This well-known character was arrested yesterday evening under the following circumstances: It seems that from threats of poisoning troops...he was an object of suspicion to the soldiers who have been quartered in the vicinity of the Chain Bridge, near which he resides. Our District volunteers, we hear, would not have hesitated to have handled him very roughly if he had given cause of offense. The Second Michigan Regiment encamped on the hill above his house yesterday afternoon, and having been informed that Frizzell said he 'could manage half a regiment,' they determined to watch his movements. He soon offered a soldier drink from a spring near which he had been loitering, which was refused, and he was told to drink from it himself, or he would be shot. He threw the tin cup on the ground, and was immediately arrested. He is now in the camp of the regiment."

Time Spent in the Old Capitol Prison: Following numerous arrests, John Frizzell was often thrown into the Old Capitol Prison with a multitude of other Confederate sympathizers and spies. While he was only ever able to be held for a few months at a time (due to a lack of physical evidence against him for his crimes), he became well-known at the prison and created a relationship with "preacher spy" Thomas N. Conrad. In Conrad's (ghostwritten) memoir, he described Frizzell in the following manner: "There wasn’t the slightest doubt that he had committed murder more than once and it was his favorite occupation to descant to us on how to conceal evidences of crime. With evident satisfaction he swore that he could hide a corpse in the river, without ever allowing it to rise to the surface and tell circumstantial tales. The removed entrails would have that effect he declared and we could not help a feeling of utter horror at the brutal, coldblooded, individual, our companion by force of circumstances."

Plans to Kidnap President Abraham Lincoln: Frizzell's relationship with Confederate spies and soldiers in the Old Capitol Prison would eventually connect him to the criminal plot forged by Conrad to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln and exchange him for Confederate prisoners of war. While this plan was never enacted (Lincoln's security detail was a bit too tight for Conrad to capture him), it was discovered by Union troops and Frizzell was arrested yet again.

While much of the information relating to John "Bull" Frizzell is scattered and slightly unbelievable, his life clearly impacted the Georgetown community and his presence on the canal was memorable enough to be cited in multiple newspapers and public recollections. While it is impossible to know what Frizzell actually thought or felt (as there are no recollections from him as an individual), he clearly left an almost mystical mark on the waterfront community of Georgetown. His mobility on the water and distinctive physical features allowed him to create a name for himself, however notorious, that is still being cited today.

Special thanks to Carlton Fletcher for his research on John "Bull" Frizzell. Without his initial documentation of these sources, this article would not have been possible. View his original work here. Questions about this work? Email [email protected] for a prompt reply.