Major John FREEMAN

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: Between 28 Jan 1626 and 1627, Billingshurst, Sussex, England
• Death: 19 Oct 1719

Notes:

Excerpt from Genealogical REcords: Pilgrim Genealogies and Histories, 1600s-1900s "Mayflower Planters Cape Code Series Vol. II": He came to New England with his father in 1635, when about 8 years old. He was prominent in the affairs of Eastham, being one of the planters of the town, and a deacon in the church for many years. He was a major of militia and saw service in the Indian wars, and was a member of the Bench of the Court of Common Pleas. His estate, consisting of land holdings, became extensive.

Name:
He was the youngest son of Edmund Freeman, the Sandwich settler, and was born in England. He came over with his father's family when a lad, in the ship Abigail, Captain Hackwell, in 1635. upon his marriage with Mercy, Gov. Prence's daughter by wife wife Patience Brewster, Feb. 13, 1649-50, he removed from Sandwich to that part of Nausett called Namskecket, now within the limits of Orleans and located, having paid his part of the purchase money. He was admitted a freeman in 1651, and the same year was one of the Grand jury from Eastham. In 1652, he was chosen to represent Eastham in the Old Colony court, and also elected in 1654, '56, '62, '63, '64, '65 and '66. He was chosen an assistant to the governor in 1666-7 in place of Mr. William Collier of Duxbury, and re-elected at every yearly election thereafter, until 1692. He was elected a selectman several years, but not as often as has been reported by some who have written concerning him. He was early connected with the militia. In 1665, he was the ensign of the company at Eastham, and in October, 1659, confirmed as lieutenant of the "troop of horse" by the colonial court. This was the only company of mounted soldiers in the Colon at this date. command was given to Capt. William Bradford of Plymouth....

He was one of the Council of War, and it seems, had seen some of the dangers of camp life during the war with King Philip. In a letter from Taunton, under date of June 8, 1675, to Gov. Josiah Winslow, to whom he was an assistant, he writes: "this morning three of our men are slain close by one of our court of guard; houses are burned in our sight; our men are picked off at every bush. The design of the enemy is not to face the army, but to fall on us as they have advantage." Tow of the men who fell as above mentioned were from Eastham, viz; Samuel Atkins and John Knowles....

John married Mercy PRENCE on 14 Feb 1649. Mercy (daughter of Gov. Thomas PRENCE and Patience BREWSTER) was born before 28 Sep 1631 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts; died on 28 Sep 1711 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John FREEMAN was born on 02 Feb 1650 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died in young.
2. John FREEMAN was born in Dec 1651 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Jul 1721 in Harwich, Massachusetts.
3. Deacon Thomas FREEMAN was born in Sep 1653 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 09 Feb 1715/6.
4. Patience FREEMAN was born in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 15 Feb 1745.
5. William FREEMAN was born about 1660 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1686.
6. Edmund FREEMAN was born in Jun 1657 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 11 Feb 1718.
7. Mercy FREEMAN was born in Jul 1659 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died before 17 Apr 1745.
8. Hannah FREEMAN was born between 15 Feb 1663/4 and 15 Feb 1664/5 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 15 Feb 1743/4 in Harwich, Massachusetts.
9. Prence FREEMAN was born between 03 Feb 1665 and 1666 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died in young.
10. Nathaniel FREEMAN was born on 20 Mar 1669 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 04 Jan 1760.
11. Bennet FREEMAN was born on 07 Mar 1670/71 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts; died on 30 May 1716.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Edmond and Alice (Coles) Freeman
• Baptism: 25 Jul 1596, St. Mary's Church, Pulborough

Edmond married Bennett HODSOLL on 16 Jun 1617 in Cowfold, co. Sussex. Bennett died between 14 Feb 1675 and 1676; was buried on 12 Apr 1630 in Pulborough, Sussex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of John and Anne (Maundy) Hodsoll
• Baptism: 23 Aug 1596