William Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 12 May 1715 - Harwich, Massachusetts 1
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: William Freeman (1686-1779)
Mother: Mercy Pepper (1690-1769) 2
William Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 24 Feb 1686 - (Eastham, Plymouth Colony)
Baptism:
Death: 13 Mar 1779 - Eastham, Massachusetts
Burial: in Orleans Cemetery 3
Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt Birth, , Eastham, Massachusetts in Eastham, Massachusetts
Parents
Father: William Freeman (1662-1687) 4
Mother: Lydia Sparrow (1660-1708)
Spouses and Children
1. *Mercy Pepper (7 Aug 1690 - 9 Oct 1769) 5
Marriage: 6 Oct 1711 - Eastham, Massachusetts 6
Status:
Children:
1. Marcy Freeman (1713-Bef 1720)
2. William Freeman (1715- )
3. Daniel Freeman (1717-1748)
4. Mercy Freeman (1720-1803)
5. Apphia Freeman (1722-1773) 7
6. Isaac Freeman (1725-1757)
7. Honorable Solomon Freeman (1732-1808)
8. Simeon Freeman (1735-1798)
Notes
General:
stone:
In Memory of
Mr WILLIAM FREEMAN
who died March 13, 1779
in the 87th Year
of his Age
This calculates to 1693.
William Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Oct 1662 - Eastham, Plymouth Colony
Baptism:
Death: 31 May 1687 - Eastham, Plymouth Colony
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Major John Freeman (1627-1719) 8
Mother: Mercy Prence (1631-1711)
Spouses and Children
1. *Lydia Sparrow (19 Nov 1660 - 16 Mar 1708)
Marriage: Cir 1684 - Eastham, Plymouth Colony
Status:
Children:
1. William Freeman (1686-1779)
2. Lydia Freeman (Cir 1680- ) 9
William Augustus Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 3 May 1802 - Oakham, Massachusetts 10
Baptism:
Death: 5 Jan 1804 - Oakham, Massachusetts 11
Burial: in Center Cemetery, Oakham
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Elijah Freeman (1770-1816)
Mother: Susanna Weeks (1778-1832)
William D Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 5 Jun 1828 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 12
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Captain William Doane Freeman (1794-1850) 13
Mother: Joanna Cole Hatch (1798-1834)
William Doane Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 14 Jul 1822 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 14
Baptism:
Death: 10 Mar 1827 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 14
Burial: in Oak Dale Cemetery, Wellfleet
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: James Freeman (1790-1856) 13
Mother: Susannah Wiley (1792-1869) 15
Captain William Doane Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 27 Aug 1794 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 13
Baptism:
Death: 13 Nov 1850 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 16
Burial: in Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet
Cause of Death: dropsy
Parents
Father: Captain Benjamin Freeman (1762-1833) 17
Mother: Mercy Atwood (1770-1858) 18
Spouses and Children
1. *Joanna Cole Hatch (19 Oct 1798 - 2 Oct 1834)
Marriage: 11 Nov 1820 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 19
Status:
Children:
1. William D Freeman (1828- )
2. Allen Freeman (1831-1883)
3. Warren Wesley Freeman (1833-1835) 20
2. Lois Higgins Lewis (22 Nov 1806 - 5 Oct 1884)
Marriage: Abt 1835
Status:
Children:
1. Warren Wesley Freeman (1836-1840) 21
2. Hosea Ballou Freeman (1837-1865)
3. Samuel Dow Freeman (1839-1896)
4. Benjamin Freeman (1841-1857)
5. Joanna Cole Freeman (1844- )
6. Susan J Freeman (1845- ) 22
7. Captain Wesley J Freeman (1846-1925) 23
8. Sarah Wheeler Freeman (1848-1877) 24
Notes
General:
Providence Patriot & Columbian Phenix.Medical:
3 Nov 1827. vol 25(88):1. from Boston Traveller, reprinted in several papers
"Capital Trial --On Wednesday last, before the U. S. Circuit Court, sitting in this city, came on the trial of William Doane Freeman, Captain of the brigantine Floyd of this port, for the murder of David Whitehead, one of his crew, in April last. Present, Hon. Joseph Story, Assistant Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Hon. John Davis, District Judge,—Geo. Blake, Esq. District Attorney,—Francis Bassett, and S. E. Sewall, Esquires, Counsel for the Prisoner. The indictment contained two counts:—the first charging the prisoner with assaulting and beating the said Whitehead and casting him into the sea; and the second, with assaulting and beating him, and compelling him when in extreme sickness and weakness of body, to go up aloft, from whence he fell into the sea and was drowned.
The testimony, as given in by the mate and crew, was in substance, that the Brig sailed from this port for Charleston, in April last ; thence she was to proceed to Antwerp and St. Ubes. When at Charleston, however, it became necessary to ship a new crew; among whom was Whitehead, a young man of about 22 years of age, unaccustomed to a sea faring life, but willing to learn, and apparently to obey. After W. had shipped on board, he, for some cause, attempted to escape while the vessul was lying at Charleston, for which the Captain punished him, and subjected him to the must rigorous duty. From the 15th April, the day the Floyd sailed from C., W. seems to have been an object of dislike if not of indignation to the Captain, who was in the habit almost daily of beating him and inflicting various punishments.
On the 26th April, for some alledged misdemeanor Capt. F. ordered Whitehead to be tied, with a rope round his body and his hands bound, to a bolt on deck ; in which situation he was kept, with but little intermission for 40 hours. During this time, the rope about his hands was drawn so close as to cause them to swell and change color; and he exposed to wind and storm with a heavy sea breaking over the vessel, with nothing to eat or drink but a half biscuit and three gills of water, save a glass of gin in which the Captain mixed two doses of tartar emetic. Other cruel treatment was proved, but we have not space to give a full report. On the 28th he was unbound and ordered to duty. During a heavy wind the same day, hands were ordered aloft to reef the main sail, one of whom was W. He was weak and much exhausted, and urged his inability to perform his duty, as did the mate; but to no purpose, he was compelled to go up, whence, being unable to sustain himself, he fell and was drowned.
The trial occupied the whole of Wednesday and yesterday ; and the charge of the Judge to the Jury was about three hours in length. At 6 o'clock last evening the case was submitted to the jury, who retired ; and the court adjourned till 9 o'clock, when the jury brought in a verdict of guilty of manslaughter.
Capt. Freeman belongs to Wellfleet, Mass., and previous to this transaction, is said to have been a man of unexceptionable character. By his own industry and perseverance he rose from a common sailor to be master of a vessel.—Boston Traveller." reprinted in Providence Patriot & Columbian Phenix. 3 Nov 1827. vol 25(88):1
---------------------
Eastern Argus (Portland, Maine)
Friday, 6 Nov 1827. vol. XXIV(1292):1
U.S. Circuit Court.—The trial of Capt. William D. Freeman, of the brigantine Lloyd [sic], of Boston, for the murder of David Whitehead, a seaman of said vessel, commenced at Boston on Wenesday of last week. The indictment charged Capt. Freeman with wanton cruelty and the murder of David Whitehead, on board the brig at sea on the 28th of April last.—Whitehead was shipped at Charleston, and was a young man who had been accustomed to a better life, but was compelled by misfortune to follow the sea for a living. He shipped as cook and steward : the captain became displeased with the manner in which he performed his duty ; in a day or two after the vessel sailed, and from this time to the day of his death, abused him in the most brutal and cruel manner, until Whitehead became so weak as to be incapable of doing his duty, with his hand swollen and paralysed by the ropes with which he had been bound, and more like a dead than a living man, he was compelled by the captain to go aloft, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the mate that he was not fit to go up. In less than five minutes Whitehead fell from the rigging into the sea, and he was drowned. The trial lasted until Thursday evening. The jury retired at 6, and at 9 o'clock, returned a verdict of Manslaughter. Freeman has been sentenced to two and an half years imprisonment, and a fine of $100.
--------------------------------------
New Hampshire Gazette,
13 Nov 1827. vol LXXII(52):1. reprinted from Boston papers
Trial of Capt. Freeman.-- In the published evidence given in the trial of Capt. W. D. Freeman, for the murder of David Whitehead, mariner, the testimony of Thomas Richardson, mariner, of Southborough, Ms. set forth that he shipped with others on board the brig Floyd at Charleston S. C. on the 6th of April, for Antwerp. The ship's comapny consisted of nine. Whitehead, who was about 22 years of age, shipped as cook, but not giving satisfaction he exchanged places with one of the crew. Whitehead never went into the cabin without being beat either by the captain or by the mate under his orders. On the 25th, ten days after sailing he was set on the foretopsail yard to let a reef out, and having by accident left a point untied the sail was split. When the captain saw the hole, and found out how it came, he called Whitehead aft and beat and kicked him in such a manner that the skin all over his head was broken, and his arms were all black and blue. On the next day he was lashed 24 hours to the ring bolt, and 24 to the rail, with his hands tied behind him. In the latter situation the captain daubed his mouth with tar, and asked him where he had been stealing molasses. The weather being very cold the captain asked him if he wanted a dram. He said he did, when the captain said I will give you a dram that will fix you, and he gave him a double dose of tartar emetic with some kind of spirit, which made him vomit.--The captain frequently swore that he should not be satisfied until he saw his end. Before being tied he was sent up to scrape the main topgallantmast, and not doing it to the captain's satisfaction, he tried to shake him from the rigging, the wind at the time blowing fresh. While he was tied, (two days) he had but half a biscuit to eat, which was broken up, and he took it up in his mouth like a beast and ate it. The captain made him take off one of two pairs of trowsers, and then pump the ship, the water dashing over him as well as the sea breaking over. On the morning of the 28th, he untied him and set him to scrub the deck ; soon after the mainsail was ordered to be handed ; five men went on the yard ; the Capt. asked the mate why he did not send up that damned soldier* aloft to help hand the mainsail ; the mate replied that he was not able, and witness said, 'Capt. Freeman, if that man goes up he never comes on deck again alive;' the captain ordered him up, and as he climbed slowly struck him with a rope ; he reached the yard, went on the lee arm ; witness then asked him to "hand the leach if you can," and reaching forward to take hold of it, Whitehead fell overboard. Witness tried to throw him a rope, but could not.
Upon his cross-examination, Richardson stated that Fearson and Whitehead had attempted to get ashore while in Charleston harbor by a raft made of spars lashed together, but were picked up and brought on board again ; that the captain treated all the men with ill language.
The testimony of John Fearson, of Baltimore, corroborated that of Richardson, and he further stated that Whitehead was made to walk the deck two nights without sleep for not having dinner ready at 12 o'clock on the day of sailing.
Geo. Barber, an Englishman, stated that he heard murder cried once in the cabin and on looking down saw the captain whipping Whitehead over the face with a rope, and a drawn sword in one hand, with which he pricked Whitehead once and drew blood.
Capt. Freeman, through his Counsel denied the charge of general ill treatment, that he had a sword on board at all and everything of importance alleged by the witnesses. No objection was made to Whitehead's going aloft on the day of his death by any of the men, nor did he hear any from the mate. The deceased at the time he fell, was on the yard and not on the foot rope, as some of the witnesses had said, and which was the proper place.
The testimony of Wm. Barrett, the mate, who was the first witness called by the defendant, rather unexpectedly tended to corroborate the evidence of the seamen. He stated that he told the captain that the man was not fit to go aloft on the day of his death. When he fell overboard, the captain said "Poor fellow, he's gone, who would have thought it." The man made no objection to going aloft, and he did not see the captain strike him. The last he saw him he was on the foot rope. Whitehead was a peacable, quiet man, willing and steady, though he had free access to the liquor ; he obeyed the captain as far as was in his power.
The prisoners counsel on Wednesday attempted to impeach the evidence of the mate, but Judge Story did not allow it to be set aside.
A number of persons were produced to testify to the good character of the prisoner ; and four captains (Messrs. Rich, Curtis, Margree and Adams) testified that without the free use of his hands and great physical strength, Whitehead could never have reached the place from whence he fell ; and in regard to his being sent aloft to scrape the mast, it was a light punishment ; and that unless he had held on with great strength he might easily have been shaken off. Wm. Sturgis, Esq. stated that he should have thought it more difficult to reach the place from whence Whitehead fell than to keep himself up when there. He thought the captain might easily have shaken him from the shroud if he had pleased, on the occasion of scraping the mast, and that the captain was in as much danger as the man.
The Jury did not deem the prisoner guilty of the crime of murder, as set forth in the indictment, but rendered verdict of Manslaughter.
It is stated that Capt. Freeman belongs to Wellfleet, C. C. and has risen from the birth of a common sailor to the command of a vessel. --Boston pap.
*Soldier among seamen signifies a lazy idle fellow.
[On Tuesday, 30th ult. the Court sentenced Capt. Freeman to pay a fine of $100, and to suffer 2 years and 6 months imprisonment.]
-------------------------------------------------------------
American Mercury (New Bedford)
6 Nov 1827. vol. XLIV(2262):3, reprinting a piece from Providence Literary Cadet
Capt. William D. Freeman, late master of the brigantine Floyd, of Boston, mentioned in our last, was tried on Wednesday and Thursday last, before the Admiralty Court of the United States, on the charge of having murdered, whilst on the high seas, a mariner, named William Waitehead [sic]. Mr. Justice Story presided, and a verdict of manslaughter was recorded against the prisoner.
The testimony adduced on trial, is of the most atrocious and ferocious nature, and if it be true, we are surprised that a verdict of Murder was not awarded. In all our readings of criminal trials, we have never met with a more offensive recital of depravity and cold-blooded
murder, than this, and at the mere perusal of it, the heart sickens, and the senses are disgusted and insulted. We purposely omit giving any part of the evidence, as it recapitulates acts of wantonness and crime, which we are unwilling to record, and which we would gladly, for the sake of the honor of human nature, keep from the eye of an offended and insulted world. If justice, had her due, the offender, would close his life of infamy, on the gibbet.— Providence Literary Cadet.
-------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES v. FREEMAN
Case No. 15,162
Circuit Court, D. Massachusetts
25 F. Cas. 1208; 1827 U.S. App. LEXIS 289
October, 1827, Term
OPINIONBY: [**1]
STORY
OPINION:
[*1210] STORY, Circuit Justice, in the course of his summing up to the jury, stated his opinion as follows:
This is an indictment for murder on the high seas; and it is competent for the jury, upon a view of the whole matter, either to acquit the defendant of all guilt, or to convict him of the crime, as alleged in the indictment, or to find him guilty of manslaughter. There are some general considerations, upon which the arguments at the bar render it necessary for the court to bestow a passing comment. In the first place, the general good character of the defendant may be properly brought into the cause, and ought to have weight with the jury in all cases, where the facts are doubtful, or admit of different interpretations. But where the evidence is positive, and satisfactory to the jury, such good character certainly cannot overcome the just presumption of guilt arising therefrom; for such is the infirmity of human nature, that men, even of exemplary life and character, are sometimes suddenly betrayed into excesses, and hurried on, by their passions, to the commission of the grossest offences. Previous good character is therefore a circumstance entitled to [**2] the consideration of the jury, and ought to be thrown into the scale in favor of mercy; but if the facts, which establish the guilt of the party, are supported by proofs entirely credible and unexceptionable, there is no pretence to say, that a jury is bound to acquit the party merely because of such character. In the next place, as to the position, which has been so strongly urged at the bar in defence of the accused, that common seamen are not entitled to belief, though their testimony is given under oath in a court of justice. There is no such rule of law in respect to this class of persons. Seamen, like other persons, if not interested or infamous, are competent witnesses in the trial of criminal as well as civil causes. The law has pronounced no general sentence of exclusion against them; and there is nothing, in their course of life, or general characters, which would warrant such a harsh and vindictive proceeding. They are competent witnesses, and their credit is to be left to the jury, to be judged of under all the circumstances of each case. Their testimony is open to every suggestion arising from their individual characters, their station in life, their manner of testify, [**3] that nature of the facts related by them, their prejudices, and passions, and feelings, and indeed all the considerations which abate the force of evidence in every other case. They have a right to be heard in what they testify under oath, like other men; and the jury, who should wholly disregard their testimony, simply because they were seamen, and thus involve the whole class in one indiscriminate proscription of discredit, as contended for at the bar, would betray their proper duty, and supercede, instead of enforcing the law.
In the next place, as to the rights and duties of masters of ships, in relation to the crew, during the voyage. It is doubtless true, that the master has a right to require of them a prompt and ready performance of duty, and an habitual obedience to reasonable commands at all times. The safety of the ship and the success of the voyage essentially depend upon the due enforcement of this right. And in proportion as the urgency of the occasion, and the necessities of the sea service, require instant compliance with such commands, the duty of the seamen to obey becomes more pressing and obligatory. If obedience does not follow, the master may compel it [**4] by punishment, and the nature and extent of the punishment must be decided by the exigency of the case. The master may also apply punishment, by way of correction, for past as well as present offences, to preserve the good order and discipline of the ship. But, after all, however summary or strict may be his power, it is not unlimited, nor is it to be exercised in an arbitrary, cruel, or revengeful manner. The authority of the master, on board the ship, is nearly allied to that of a parent, and is to be used with reasonable tenderness and humanity. No punishment can be inflicted unless for reasonable provocation or cause; and it must be moderate, and just, and proportionate to the nature and aggravation of the offence. The law does not permit the master to gratify a brutal and low revenge, or to inflict cruel and unnecessary punishments. It allows no excess, either in the mode, or the nature, or the object of the punishment. It upholds the exercise of the authority only when it is for salutary purposes, not when it arises from personal prejudice, caprice, or dislike, or from gross and vindictive passions. In every case, therefore, where punishment is applied, the master is [**5] responsible, both civilly and criminally, if he wantonly exceed the measure of justice.
In respect to the general principles of law, applicable to cases of homicide, there has [*1211] been no controversy at the bar; and I am spared the necessity of expounding them beyond what has been read from approved authorities. But the circumstances of this case call for an explicit instruction to you upon the points made in the defence. These are: (1) That the death of Whitehead (the seaman, whose death is feloniously charged in the indictment), was solely owing to accident and misadventure in the course of his duty, the fall from the yard not being occasioned by his debility, but by circumstances which might have occasioned it to a healthy seaman. (2) If his death was not owing to accident or misadventure, but simply to his debility, yet the circumstances of the case do not show, that such debility was so known to the master, that the order, that he should go aloft, was unjustifiable or wantonly wrong. (3) That if the order was not strictly justifiable, still the act was not the result of personal malice to the deceased in particular, nor of brutal and malignant passions or feelings, [**6] which establish general malice, and, therefore, in no event can the facts justify a conviction of murder. (4) That it is not a case even of manslaughter; for there was not such a want of caution, or such gross negligence in the master, as would, in the absence of malice, justify a verdict of manslaughter.
The first inquiry proper for the jury then is, whether Whitehead came to his death by mere accident or misadventure; or whether it was occasioned by his debility and exhaustion, arising from physical infirmity at the time of his fall from the yard. If occasioned by such debility and exhaustion, the next inquiry ought to be, whether that state of debility and exhaustion was fully known to Capt. Freeman, when he gave the orders for his, Whitehead's going aloft. If so, were the circumstances such as, that Capt. Freeman must, and ought to have foreseen, that the enforcement of his order to go aloft would probably be attended, either by death or enormous bodily injury by falling, to Whitehead, so that the jury can justly infer, that it must have been persisted in from personal malice to the deceased, or from such a brutal malignity of conduct, as carries with it the plain indications [**7] of a heart regardless of social duty, and fatally bent on mischief. If so, it was murder. And it would not vary the case, that the moral force of the authority of the master to compel performance, instead of physical force, produced compliance with the order on the part of Whitehead, although the later was sensible of his own extreme debility.
If the jury are not satisfied, that there was either actual malice to the deceased, or constructive malice, arising from brutal malignity, as before mentioned; still, if the circumstances of the case show, that there was gross heedlessness, want of due caution, and unreasonable exercise of authority on the part of Capt. Freeman, and that he ought to have known, and could not but have known, that Whitehead was unfit to go aloft, and that there was probable and immediate danger to his life in his so doing, then, notwithstanding the absence of such malice, the offence is at least manslaughter. For every act done wilfully, and with gross negligence, by any person, the known effect of which, under the circumstances, must be to endanger life, is, if death ensues, at least manslaughter.
(The judge then proceeded to sum up, and comment at large, [**8] upon the facts, in the various aspects thus presented of the case, and concluded by leaving it to the jury, upon the whole evidence, under the foregoing instructions as to the law.)
------------------------------------------------------------
gravestone:
"Capt. William D. Freeman doed Nov. 6, 1850 aged 55 years & 3 months.
'As in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Mourn not for me, wife and children dear,
I am not dead but sleeping here
So as it is and it must be
Be prepared to follow me.' "
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1845, 1848 mariner, Wellfleet
1846 fisherman, Wellfleet
25
age 56-3, married, marinerMarriage Notes (Joanna Cole Hatch)
b Wellfleet
s/o Benjamin & Mercy Freeman 16
William was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison for manslaughter in Nov. 1827, so he was potentially released just in time for the 1830 census, even if he served the full time.Marriage Notes (Lois Higgins Lewis)
1830 Wellfleet census: William Freeman, with one boy under 5, one male 30-40 and one female 30-40. With no earlier children in Wellfleet records, perhaps William and Joanna were living elsewhere for the early 1820s.
1840 census: incomplete at HeritageQuest.
1840 Wellfleet census images are incomplete, and this family not seen.
1850 US census, Wellfleet:
house 401, family 477
Wm D Freeman, 56, mariner, $650
Lois H, 43
Wm D, 22, mariner
Allen, 18, mariner, attended school within year
Hosea B, 12, in school
Samuel D, 11, in school
Benj F, 9, in school
Joanna C, 7, in school
Susan L, 5, in school
Wesley J, 3
Sarah W, 1
Flanking neighbors were Elisha Freeman and Barnabas Freeman families.
1860 US census, Wellfleet:
house 645, family 668
Isaac Freeman, 73, seaman, $800 real estate, $500 personal estate
Patty Freeman, 76,
Walter Freeman, 23, seaman, $500 personal
Lois Freeman, 52, $600 real, $600 personal
house 646, family 669
Hose or Hove Freeman, 23, seaman,
Samuel, 21, seaman
Joanna, 17
Susan, 15
Wesley, 13, attended school within year
The house & family entries for 646/669 seem to be on the wrong line, and Lois is meant as head of the household that has her children. Other nearby families are those of Andrew & Hannah Freeman (house 664, family 666), sharing a house with John Freeman (family 667), Barnabas & Rebecca Freeman (house 647, family 670), and Elisha & Eliza Freeman (house 648, family 671) who shared a house with David Freeman and others (family 672).
1870 US census, Wellfleet:
house 418, family 486
Louis H Freeman [sic], 59, keeping house, $500 real estate
Westly J Freeman [sic], 23, seaman
Sarah W Freeman, 21, tailoress
Charles W Hayden, 13 (or 15), fishing, attended school within year
Neighbors were Elisha & Elizabeth Freeman (house 419, family 487), Barnabus 2nd & Nancy W Young (house 417, family 484), sharing a house with Noah & Betsey A Young (family 485), and David C & Catherine L Freeman (house 416, family 485).
1880 US census, Wellfleet:
house 202, family 222
Wesley Freeman, 33, sailor, unemployed 4 months in census year
Mary Freeman, 32, wife, keeping house
Lettie H Freeman, 7, daughter, at school
Louis H Freeman [sic], 73, mother
Captain William E Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 27 Jan 1820 - Boston, Massachusetts 26
Baptism:
Death: 1 Apr 1911 - Upton, Massachusetts
Burial: in Lower Road Cemetery, Brewster 27
Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt Birth, , Beverly, Massachusetts in Beverly, Massachusetts
Parents
Father: William Freeman (1794-1868)
Mother: Martha Simonds (1795-1884) 27
Spouses and Children
1. *Phebe H Hurd (5 Mar 1822 - 14 Jul 1886)
Marriage: 28 Sep 1845 - Orleans, Massachusetts 28
Status:
Children:
1. Willard Knowles Freeman (1846-1910)
2. Hannah Rebecca Gould (28 Sep 1857 - 1937) 29
Marriage: 31 Aug 1886 - Orleans, Massachusetts 28
Status:
Notes
General:
1845 seaman, BrewsterMedical:
1846 seaman, Orleans
Captain William Freeman was born in Beverly, January, 1820 but appears to have retired to Brewster. He had command of ships "Maine," "Undaunted," "Kingfisher," "Monsoon," "Mogul," "Ocean King" and "Jabez Howes," the steamers "Zenobia," "Palmyra " and "Edward Everett."
He was eldest son of William and Martha (Simonds) Freeman. He followed the sea in the merchant service forty-three years, thirty-six years as master. His first wife, Phebe H. Hurd, died leaving two children\emdash William K. and Clara D. His present wife was Hannah R. Gould.
One owner of the Mogul, was J Henry Sears of Brewster. In Brewster Ship Masters we find a brief account of the burning of the Mogul. Then I found this much more detailed story.
New York Times
November 15, 1874, Wednesday
SHIPS BURNED AT SEA.; DISASTERS OCCASIONED BY SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF COAL.THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIP MOGUL, OF BOSTON STATEMENT BY CAPT. FREEMAN, ITS COMMANDER.
The schooner Greyhound, which arrived at San Francisco, Nov. 5, from Tahiti, brought as passengers Capt. W. Freeman, of the Mogul, and eighteen seamen, survivors of the crews of the two ill-fated vessels, the Mogul, and the Centaur. Capt. Freeman makes the following report of the loss of his ship:
The Mogul left Liverpool April 23, and passed Cape Horn July 2; thence to 17deg south had continual north-westerly winds and then light south-east trades. On Aug. 1, found the coals in the fore part of the main hatch heated and steaming. On the 2d and 3d, trimmed the coal out of the main hatch, hoping to find the heat only local, and to get rid of the hot coals, but found them hotter as we worked down, and at 1 P.M. on the 3d, sulphurous gas and smoke burst out under the men's feet. when we immediately trimmed the coals back to the original level to smother the fire as much as possible, and at once commenced to get the boats ready for use and decided to make for the Marquesas Islands. On the 4th the gas and smoke were forcing themselves out of all the openings aft and through the air-holes under the half-poop deck, and we thought it best to close the ship up forward to stop the draught as much as possible, and to leave the after-hatches and scuttle open for the escape of gas, fearing an explosion if we closed all up. That afternoon we got three boats hung over the starboard side, ready for use. On the 6th we found the gas and smoke increasing very fast, and forcing their way through all openings, the effects of which turned the paint-work above the decks lead color. All hands were employed in putting canvas seizings on the boats, and making any improvement we could think of to add to their safety; and getting sails, water, and provisions ready. That evening we had the three boats fitted with masts and sails, and everything done we could think for their safety. On the 7th, in the morning, we found the gas, smoke, and heat increasing very rapidly, and, from the smell and the appearance of the smoke, it was quite certain that the woodwork of the ship was on fire. At midday, the steam was coming out from the iron bilge pumps by the side of the after port of the forward house. At 1 P.M. I called the crew together and explained to them the condition I considered the ship in, the fear I had of an explosion of gas at any moment, &c., and decided that it would be best to leave the ship before dark, knowing that there would be great risk in lowering boats and getting them away from the ship in a sea-way in the dark. I organized boat's crews and gave instructions as to the mode of procedure. At 4 P.M. got tea, and then hauled the ship to. Took in all the light sails, lowered the boats, got the provisions and water into them, and left the ship at about 5 P.M. Before doing so I thought it best to fire the ship on deck, and did so accordingly. About fifteen or twenty minutes after leaving the ship the main hatch, which was closed and had a tarpaulin on, but was not caulked down, burst out with fire and smoke. We then started on our perilous passage of 1,400 miles to the Marquesas, our position being latitude 12deg 20 ' south, longitude 115deg 50' west. The instructions were to rendezvous at Resolution Bay, Island Santa Christiana. With myself, in the long-boat were twelve persons, and with each of the two mates, with smaller boats, each seven persons- with provisions in each boat, if carefully used, to last at least thirty days. On the 18th of August I arrived at Resolution Bay, having been eleven days in the boat. The next day the first mate's boat came in all right, and on the 20th the second mate and party arrived in a small schooner that had picked them up the day before, and which was bound to this place. Thus, thank God, all hands are safely landed. From Resolution Bay we took passage in a small sloop to Nauku Hiva, where we arrived on the 23d; and on the 8th of September we left on the schooner Greyhound for Tahiti, where we arrived on the12th. We left again on the same vessel for San Francisco on the 2d of October. At Resolution Bay, much kindness ws shown us by the missionaries and natives, and at Nauku Hiva all the kindness possible was shown us by the Governor of the islands.
The Tahiti correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle in his report says: "Seagoing men in this port, hearing all the facts, are of the belief that Capt. Freeman abandoned the ship none too soon, and to remain longer would have been to needlessly sacrifice human life, in all probability. As the captain was part owner it follows that he was more deeply interested than others, and that if it was a possibility to save her he would have done so. BY the way, Benjamin F Butler is also a part owner, as is Theodore H Allen, of San Francisco. The lost vessel was built at Kennebunk, Me., and was five years old. She was considered one of the finest vessels afloat, being 1,365 tons. The Captain refused $85,000 for her in Liverpool. She is said to have been insured for $69,000. Capt. Freeman has been sailing out of Boston, (where the vessel is principally owned,) for the past twenty-four years, having of late years sailed the ships Undaunted and Kingfisher. This is his first disaster, as far as I can learn. He bears the reputation of being a cautious and able seaman. He says that in this case he is conscious of having done his duty to himself and his fellow creatures."
(via Ray Sears)
Sandwich Observer, 11 apr 1911Marriage Notes (Phebe H Hurd)
BREWSTER
Death of Capt Freeman
Capt William Freeman, the oldest resident in town, died recently in West Upton, where he and Mrs Freeman were spending the winter with a relative of Mrs Freeman.Several weeks ago Capt Freeman had the misfortune to fall and fracture his hip which hastened the end of his long life of ninety-one years.
Capt Freeman followed the sea for a number of years, sailing to many foreign ports. A widow, two daughters, Mrs C D Crocker of Bridgeport Conn., and Miss Phebe Freeman a student at Simmons College, Boston, and one grandson in New York survive him.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 4th at the Baptist Church, conducted by Rev E S Cotton.
1855 Mass. census, Brewster
living with parents
William Franklin Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 12 Apr 1837 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 30
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Thomas Freeman (1811-1893)
Mother: Hannah Snow Hawes (1817-1881) 31
Colonel William Henry Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 19 Sep 1791 - Mansfield, Connecticut
Baptism:
Death: 11 Mar 1845 - Boston, Massachusetts
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Notes
General:
Yarmouth Register,
March 20, 1845
In Boston, 11th inst., Col. William H. FREEMAN of the Marine Corps, 53.
Father: Edmund Freeman b: 5 Aug 1764
Mother: Hannah Dimmick b: 5 Apr 1766
Marriage 1 Susan Geyer Amory b: Abt 1800
William L Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 28 Oct 1860 - Provincetown, Massachusetts
Baptism:
Death: 1 Apr 1864 - Provincetown, Massachusetts
Burial:
Cause of Death: scarlet fever
Parents
Father: Captain Prince I Freeman (1822-1909) 32
Mother: Eliza Ann Horton (1825-1895) 33
Notes
Medical:
age 3-5-4
b Provincetown
parents Prince & Lizzie Freeman, b Provincetown & Eastham 34
William O Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1864 - Provincetown, Massachusetts
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Steven Thomas Freeman (1831- )
Mother: Phebe H Smith (1836- )
Spouses and Children
1. *Florence E Grant (1863 - 1933)
Marriage: 25 Feb 1885 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Status:
Children:
1. Ethel May Freeman (1885- ) 35
Notes
General:
1885 tailor, Boston
1885 clerk, Lynn
William Penn Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 2 Dec 1824 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 36
Baptism:
Death: 1902 - Maine
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Ebenezer Freeman (1790-1872) 37
Mother: Hannah Atkins Newcomb (1793-1870) 38
Spouses and Children
1. *Jerusha Cole Freeman (4 Aug 1826 - ) 14
Marriage:
Status:
Children:
1. Frederick William Freeman (1866- )
Notes
General:
"William Penn, third son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Atkins) (Newcomb) Freeman, was born in Wellfleet, December 2, 1824. He followed fishing on the Grand Banks in his youth, removing to Saco, York county, Maine in 1844. Congenial to his old Cape COd propensities, he opened an oyster house and established a restaurant in that tidewater city, retiring wholly from business in 1890 with a competence honestly earned, wisely invested, and which he enjoyed inhis declining years. He married Jerusha C. Freeman. Children: Ella Frances, Herbert Penn, Ebenezer Howard, Wilbur L., Flora May, Frederick W. and George Washington. William Penn died in 1902." 39
William S Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 19 Jul 1876 - Brewster, Massachusetts 40
Baptism:
Death: After 1920
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Willard Knowles Freeman (1846-1910)
Mother: Maria L Shackford (Cir 1842- )
Notes
General:
1920 US census, Morris NJ
wife Mary G, 36, Ma
son Shackford, 14, NJ
William W Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1848 - Provincetown, Massachusetts
Baptism:
Death: 27 Aug 1849 - Provincetown, Massachusetts
Burial: in Cemetery #1, Provincetown
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Nathaniel Freeman (1814-1874)
Mother: Mercy K Atwood (1814-1858)
Wilmot Osborn Freeman
Sex: M
AKA: Barnabus A Freeman 42
Individual Information
Birth: 29 Oct 1854 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts 42
Baptism:
Death: 12 Oct 1857 - Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Burial: in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wellfleet
Cause of Death: croup 43
Parents
Father: Barnabus Freeman (1822-1896) 44
Mother: Rebecca J Osborn (1819-1881)
Notes
Medical:
Osborn Freeman
age 4
parents Barnabas H & Rebecca
Winfield Scott Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 23 Oct 1847 - (Provincetown, Massachusetts)
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Nathaniel Freeman (1814-1874)
Mother: Mercy K Atwood (1814-1858)
Winslow Freeman
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 5 Apr 1821 - (Bucksport, Maine)
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Reuben Freeman (1779-1871) 45
Mother: Thomasin C Hinks (1793- )
Zerviah Freeman
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Cir 1786 - (Provincetown, Massachusetts)
Baptism:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Prince Freeman (1738- )
Mother: Martha Freeman (1737- )
Zerviah Freeman
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: 18 Oct 1773 - Harwich, Massachusetts
Baptism:
Death: Abt 1867
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Timothy Freeman (1747-Abt 1825) 46
Mother: Zerviah Nickerson (Est 1749-1788)
Sources
1. Harwich Massachusetts vital records (http://plymouthcolony.net/barnstable/vitalrecords/harwich/harlinktable.html
pages numbers refer to "Vital records, town of Harwich, Massachusetts, 1694-1850" 1982. Harwich Historical Society), 12. Please note: Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts is 100 miles from Hardwick, Worcester, Massachusetts. There is no 'Harwick.'
2. Bob Ferreira, "Cape Cod Families" (Rootweb file bobferr (no longer online)). .... Smith and Smith, Vital Records of the Towns of Eastham and Orleans..., 1980, 1993. Baltimore MD, 32 (MD7:20). Col. Leonard H Smith, Jr. and Norma H Smith. Vital Records of the Towns of Eastham and Orleans. An authorized facsimile reproduction of records published serially 1901-1935 in "The Mayflower Descendant." With an added index of persons.
1980, 1993. Baltimore MD: reprinted for Clearfield Co. by Genealogical Pub. Co.
3. index to Orleans, Massachusetts cemeteries (1970. Excel file at Orleans Historical Society, http://orleanshistoricalsociety.org/collections.html).
4. Bob Ferreira, "Cape Cod Families" (Rootweb file bobferr (no longer online)).
5. Bob Ferreira, "Cape Cod Families" (Rootweb file bobferr (no longer online)). .... Smith and Smith, Vital Records of the Towns of Eastham and Orleans..., 1980, 1993. Baltimore MD, 32 (MD7:20).
6. Smith and Smith, Vital Records of the Towns of Eastham and Orleans..., 1980, 1993. Baltimore MD, 32 (MD7:20).
7. Harwich Massachusetts vital records (http://plymouthcolony.net/barnstable/vitalrecords/harwich/harlinktable.html
pages numbers refer to "Vital records, town of Harwich, Massachusetts, 1694-1850" 1982. Harwich Historical Society), 12.
8. Maitland Dirk Brower, Ancestors of Margaret Crapo, Ancestors of Maitland Dirk Brower (Rootsweb files dirkbrower,). .... David Pane-Joyce, Pane-Joyce Report (2005. http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/), Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration.
9. George Ernest Bowman, "Capt. Jonathan Sparrow's Wives and their Children" (1912. Mayflower Descendant 14 (4): 193-202).
10. Vital Records of Oakham, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849 (1905. Worcester, Mass.: Franklin P. Rice), 27.
11. Vital Records of Oakham, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849 (1905. Worcester, Mass.: Franklin P. Rice), 120.
12. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:162. The children of William D. & Joanna Freeman.
13. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:49. children of Benjamin and Mercy Freeman.
14. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:114. James and Susana Freeman family.
15. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:35.
16. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), Deaths, p 82, 1850 #6.
17. Robert Paine Carlson, Cape Cod Gravestones, 2003 ff. Eastham MA. CapeCodGravestones.com.
18. Elizabeth Freeman, Wellfleet, Truro, & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions. Section Three. Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet MA: Rich Family Asscociation), 20.
19. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:571. Marriages.
20. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:162. The children of William D. & Joanna Freeman. .... Elizabeth Freeman, Wellfleet, Truro, & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions. Section Three. Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet MA: Rich Family Asscociation), 16.
21. Stanley W. Smith, "Records from the Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet, Mass." (Mayflower Descendant, vols 10, 11, 12).
22. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Births 1843 - 1858,. in vol. 2 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts), 10.
23. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association, Wellfleet, Truro & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions, section 9. Pleasant Hill and Oakdale Cemeteries, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (1986. Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association), row 28, lot 1B. Wesley J. Freeman & Mary A. Higgins family.
24. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Births 1843 - 1858,. in vol. 2 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts), 21.
25. Elizabeth Freeman, Wellfleet, Truro, & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions. Section Three. Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet MA: Rich Family Asscociation), 16.
26. George Ernest Bowman, editor, Vital Records of the town of Brewster, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849 (1904. Boston: Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants [online]), 91.
27. Findagrave.com (findagrave.com).
28. Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910 (Massachusetts Archives. [online at AmericanAncestors.org (NEHGS) and FamilySearch.org]), Orleans.
29. FamilySearch (FamilySearch.org [asserted, usually unreferenced, often wrong]).
30. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:183. The children of Thomas Franklin & Hannah his wife.
31. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:108. Children of Jesse D. and Bethia Hawes.
32. Middleboro Gazette (Middleboro, Mass. indexed at Middleborough Public Library, http://www.midlib.org/dlib/main.htm), 10/01/1909:5. .... Provincetown cemeteries (http://www.provincetowngov.org/historic/cem.htm). badly organized
33. Provincetown cemeteries (http://www.provincetowngov.org/historic/cem.htm).
34. Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910 (Massachusetts Archives. [online at AmericanAncestors.org (NEHGS) and FamilySearch.org]), 156:16 (Provincetown).
35. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Births 1858-1910 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 30.
36. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:104. Ebenezer 2d and Hannah Freeman family.
37. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association, Wellfleet, Truro & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions, section 9. Pleasant Hill and Oakdale Cemeteries, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (1986. Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association), row 26, lot 6. Ebenezer & Hannah Freeman family. .... Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Deaths 1859-1907 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 16. .... Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:34. the children of Isaac Freeman jr and Hannah his wife.
38. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association, Wellfleet, Truro & Cape Cod Cemetery Transcriptions, section 9. Pleasant Hill and Oakdale Cemeteries, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (1986. Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Wellfleet Historical Society and Rich Family Association), row 26, lot 6. Ebenezer & Hannah Freeman family. .... Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:51. family of Jeremiah and Mary Newcomb.
39. George Thomas Little, editor, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, vol. II (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company), 926.
40. Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910 (Massachusetts Archives. [online at AmericanAncestors.org (NEHGS) and FamilySearch.org]), Brewster.
41. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Deaths 1843-1859 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 96. frequently differ from other records
42. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Births 1843 - 1858,. in vol. 2 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts), 41.
43. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Deaths 1843-1859 (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 96.
44. Town records of Wellfleet, Massachusetts (Wellfleet, Massachusetts.), 1:91. Barnabus & Betsey Freeman family.
45. Jerry Landers, Landers Genealogy (http://www.landersgen.com/landers/index.htm), Frederick Freeman," Freeman Genealogy in Three Parts."
46. Jerry Landers, Landers Genealogy (http://www.landersgen.com/landers/index.htm).