Wooldrich Frederick Fritts was born in Germany in about 1731. The year of his birth is based on his age, 50, when he was shot & killed in his home on 2 November 1781. 

He and his neighbor Valentine Leonard, their oldest sons, and others from the Pilgrim Church responded to the militia alarm that preceded the Battle of Guilford Courthouse that occurred only 30 miles north of their homes. Eight months later, both fathers were shot and killed by Tories, who had snuck up and shot the two unsuspecting men in their own homes. Wooldrich would die of his wounds that same day, whereas his friend and neighbor's death would not come until ten days later. The Revolutionary War had consequences for those on both sides during the conflict. 

Those cowards who secretly snuck up and killed Wooldrich and Valentine would themselves be hunted down by distraught sons who sought honor, justice, and revenge for their fathers' deaths. On the headstone of his grave is the inscription: 

Wooldrich Frits, deceased November the second, 1781, age 50 yrs. Remember me as you pass by; As I am now, so must you be; Prepare therefore to follow me.

The stone at the foot of his grave has these words on it:

Lo, here doth lifeless Wooldrich lie, Cut off by murder's cruelty. 

The Pilgrim Church congregation dedicated a large marble monument on 4 July 1896, which thousands of people attended, to honor Patriots Valentine Leonard and Wooldrich Fritts, the two friends who both were shot to their deaths in 1781. At an April 1981 family reunion, an estimated 400 descendants of Wooldrich gathered at this monument to honor his patriotism and to celebrate his life. 

Source: 

1. Leonard, Rev. Jacob Calvin, Centennial History of Davidson County: 1927, pages 210, 249, 372.