8. | FREEMAN Ahaz was born on 03 Nov 1791 in Swanzey, Cheshire Co., NH (son of FREEMAN Asa and APPLIN Thankful); died on 01 Oct 1848 in Mooers, Clinton Co., NY. Notes:
Notes for AHAZ FREEMAN:
THE FREEMAN FAMILY of Clinton County, New York
The American government established a Military Land Grant in
Northern New York, called the "Canadian-Nova Scotia Refugee Tract".
This land was for the Canadian veterans of the Revolutionary War
which were led by Moses Hazen. Much of the land was bought by land
speculators from the veterans who did not want their land.
In 1805 this frontier was called an "ungodly place where
religion and education were neglected." There was reported," poverty
and primitive living conditions"
Mooers is located on the northern border of Clinton County, New
York and Huntingdon County, Quebec, Canada. The surface of the
area is quite level with a slight inclination to the northeast.
There are two main rivers in Mooers, the Great Chazy and the
English. The fine water privileges of these rivers provided various
manufacturing enterprises in the early days of Mooers. Prior to 1796
this area was one vast wilderness.
In 1812, the area was overwhelmingly rural and the population
was scarce, 8,000 people in the whole of Clinton County. There were
5 towns all but one bordering on Lake Champlain. Plattsburg was a
bustling lake port town for travel between the American States and
Quebec, Canada. When war broke out in 1812 between the Americans and
Britain, many families left the area near the border and lost their
crops and belongings. These American families were terrified of
attack by the Canadian Indians. The stories of the " French Indian
Wars" still very much on their minds. The American Militia was the
only defense along the whole border and some Militia Officers said
their men refused to fight across the border into Canada, due to
having many friends and family living there.
The war lasted until 1814 when the British were defeated on Lake
Champlain. By 1817 construction of the new Erie Canal began from the
Hudson River to Buffalo. It was finished in 1825 and opened up the
vast western territories filled with excellent land for settlers. It
led to the development of such towns as Rochester, Buffalo,
Syracuse and Utica. The Canal provided cheap transportation for the
westward bound settlers.
On page 329 of "History of Clinton and Franklin Counties" by
Hurd in 1880 states:
"Asa Freeman came in early, resided in the northeast part of town
and raised a large family, all of whom afterwards moved away."
On page 332 of the same book:
"The town was originally comprised in a single school district, and
the first school-house was the old building now used as a woodshed by
the Widow of Asa Corbin. Cariarty Huntley was a early teacher in
this building, also Martha Bosworth ( afterwards Mrs. Samuel
Churchill ) Asa Freeman and Jabez Fitch."
At the Plattsburg, New York, County Clerks office, there is
land Deed:
"28 January 1807 Asa Freeman purchased from Benjamin Mooers 105 acres
in lot #18 for $350.00. On 05 January 1823 Asa Freeman is clearing
the title for this land from Gilead Speery."
Asa Freeman was listed on the 1810 and 1820 U.S. census for
Mooers, Clinton County, New York. Asa and Thankful Freeman's oldest
son, Ahaz was listed on the 1820 U.S. census for Mooers, as well.
On a land Deed dated 16.02.1833, Plattsburg County Clerks
office:
"Asa Freeman and his wife Thankful sold land in lot #18, Mooers,,
Clinton County, New York to Thomas Caldwell of Walworth, Wayne
County, New York for $500.00 for 67 acres. Asa Freeman and Thankful
were living in Williamson, Wayne County, New York."
On the 1830 U.S. census for Marion, Wayne County, New York was
listed a Asa Freeman and his wife. The age of the couple match that
of Asa and Thankful Freeman which were our line, in Mooers, Clinton
County, New York. There were a number of Freeman families living in
the area, including one Benjamin Freeman born in 1792 in New York,
possibly Asa's second son.
On land Deeds, Plattsburg's County Clerks office:
Ahaz Freeman bought land in lot #39 in 1825 and later lot #92 in
Mooers, Clinton County, New York , which his Heirs sold on 29 April
1853. Lot #92 was sold to William Pratt for $600.00 by Loren E.
Freeman, Rufus Freeman, Amasa Freeman, Martha Freeman, Lauretta
(Freeman) McConnell, Charles Freeman, (our line), Jerry Freeman,
Elizabeth Freeman, Hannah Freeman, Phebe Freeman, and Dolly
Philander (Freeman) Williams.
Ahaz Freeman died 01 October 1848, at 56 years, cause of death
listed as being run over by a loaded wagon. He was buried in Old
Riverside Cemetery, Mooers, Clinton County, New York and his
gravestone is still standing there in 1997. It is located in the
extreme southeast corner of the cemetery, under a large old tree,
next to the Chazy River. Nearby to Ahaz Freeman's grave are the
gravestone markers of his children Loren E., Martha, Benjamin,
William, and Lauretta. There was an unmarked grave next to Ahaz and
perhaps this is where his wife Louisa is buried.
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In the "Letters of Probate" for Ahaz Freeman submitted by his
wife Louisa on 30 May 1849 (located at County Clerks office,
Plattsburg), which Louisa signed with her mark X, was a list of
articles inventoried from the personal estate of Ahaz Freeman:
1 eighteen year old horse
1 pair five year old stags
1 old double wagon with binding chains
1 spotted cow
1 line back cow
1 three year old cow
1 old plow and ?
1 old harrow
1 pair sleds
1 set double hornef and wiffer trees
1 ox yoke
1 hoe
1 axe
1 hand saw
2 augers
1 buck saw
1 butle
The value of his personal Estate as such was $132.64. This did not
include his land or buildings.
On the Old Riverside Cemetery records, Mooers, Clinton County, New
York:
"Ahaz Freeman who died 01 October 1848, 56 years, 11 months. His
Widow, Louisa Freeman, purchased and had the stone mounted. The
children headstones were of Benjamin H.Freeman, born 09 October
1842, died 14 November 1842, 1 month and 5 days and William
W.Freeman, born 11 October 1847, died 21 August 1848."
On a visit to Mooers, Clinton County, New York in July 1997,
the Freeman original land lots were still being farmed.
________________________________________________
__________________________ ____
MOOERS, CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK
Village of Hemmingford Roxham
X X
Fisher Street Huntingdon County, Quebec X
Charles Freeman
U.S./Canada border Old Roxham Road
______________________________________________________________________
____ ____
lot # 39 X
Blackmun Corners wooded area Ahaz Freeman to Perry's
Mill
lot # 18 Asa Freeman
to Champlain,
X Old Mooers Railroad Junction farmland
X X
Old Riverside Cemetery Mooers Village
Chazy River farmland
to Plattsburg, N.Y.
More About AHAZ FREEMAN:
Cause of Death: Run over by a loaded wagon.
Fact 1: buried Riverside Cem., Mooers, Clinton Co., NY
On land Deeds, Plattsburgâ®s County Clerks office:
book 23 page 368-69, 29 April 1853
" This Indenture made the 29 day of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty three between the undersigned heirs
of Ahaz Freeman of the first part and William ( ) Pratt of the second
part ...forth that the said parties of the first part ... in
consideration of the sum of 6 hundred dollars to them in hand paid by
the said party of the (page 369) second part at or before the ...
and delivery of these presents .... where of is hereby ... with
acknowledged have... released and forever quit ... and by these
presents do ... release and forever quit ... to the said party of
the second part and his heirs and assigns forever. All that certain
piece or parcel of land lying and being in the town of Mooers and
known as the school lot it being a part of large lot no. 92 viz to ..
the north west quarter together with all ..... there unto belong or
is assigned is appertaining and the ... and ... unto issues and
profits there of used all the estate right title interest use said
property ... and demand whatsoever of the said parties of the first
part itherwise law or equity of is and to the above bargained
premises with the said ... and .... To have and to hold the said
above bargained and described premises with their and every of their
right members and ... to the said party of the second part his heirs
and assigns and to the sale ... benefit and behoof of the said party
of the second part his heirs and assigns forever . In witness
whereof the said parties of the first part have hereonto set their
hands and seal the day and year above written
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of ...State of New York
Clinton County on this 30 day
of April 1853 before me personally came Loren Freeman, Rufus Freeman,
Lauretta McConnel, Charles Freeman, Dolly P. Freeman, Amasa Freeman,
Martha Freeman, Phebe Freeman, Jerry Freeman, Elizabeth Freeman,and
Hannah Freeman and to me known to be the individuals described is
and ..
... deed and sincerely acknowledged ........ for the persons therein
described.
J.G.Young Justice of Peace
I further certify that I ... Dolly Philander Williams and Loretta
McConnel separate and apart from their husbands and they acknowledged
the execution of the written instrument to be of their own free will
without any fear or ... of their said husbands.
J.G.Young Justice Peace Recorded December 27yh 1853 D.T.T. Parsons
Clerk The following is how there names were written
Loren E Freeman Charles X his mark Freeman
Rufus X his mark Freeman Jerry X his mark Freeman
Dolly Philander Williams Elizabeth Freeman
Amasa X his mark Freeman Hannah Freeman
Martha X her mark Freeman Phebe X her mark Freeman
Lauretta McConnell
Ahaz married Louisa before 1815. Louisa was born about 1800; died before 1853. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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