Frieze and Roy fonds

Frieze and Roy were merchants and ship owners from Maitland, Nova Scotia. David Frieze started the company in 1839, when he ran a general store, as well as owning and operating sailing vessels. During this time he also acted as justice of the peace. Adam Roy joined Frieze in business in the 1860s and they became Frieze and Roy in 1868. During his career Adam Roy also acted as justice of the peace and was associated with the Maitland School. Frieze and Roy were also associated with the Presbyterian church and the Sons of Temperance. Alexander Roy, Adam Roy's brother, was a ship builder and built many vessels for them during this time. Thomas Roy, brother to Adam Roy, and members of the MacDougall and Douglas families were captains for their ships. One of their most famous vessels was the Barque Snow Queen(1876-88), other vessels that belonged to Frieze and Roy were the Esther Roy, the Linwood and the Brig Trust. With the decline in the shipping industry in the 1880's, they mainly focused on the general store which sold a wide range of goods such as hardware, lumber, candy, groceries, kitchenware, fabric, shoes and toys. David Frieze's son, George was also involved with the business.

Adam Roy's son, Adam Frederic (Fred) Roy, took over the business at the age of 19, and his daughter Margaret Sanford, took over the business from him. In the 1970s, there was a decline in business due to a bridge linking Maitland closer to the large town of Truro. Glenn Martin purchased the store from the Sanfords in 2004 to keep it from being torn down on request that he would keep the history of the store. The Frieze and Roy General Store is still currently operating in Maitland dealing mainly with giftware and souvenirs. It is one of the oldest businesses still operating in Nova Scotia.