FREEMAN Sanford Myron

Family/Spouse: CALCOT Elizabeth. Elizabeth (daughter of CALCOT John and STANDISH Isabell) was born in 1605 in Flore, Northamptonshire, England; died on 15 May 1634 in St. Bride's Parish, London, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for RALPH FREEMAN, SR.:
.First Generation American

The Freeman family in North America begins with Sir Ralph
Freeman, who was born December 14,1629 and baptized in St.Peter's
Church, Cornhill, London County, London, England, in 1630. His
father was Sanford Myron Freeman. Ralph immigrated to New England
and was next located at Dedham, Norfolk County, MASS., when he was
admitted as a Townsman in 1651 as by "Dedham Town Records, Page 135".
Ralph was the 106th person to sign the town Couenant of Dedham, and
his marriage to Katherine Lyon, on 21 October 1652, also from
the"Dedham Town Records of Vital Records". Ralph received lot "29 of
ye 10" in 1653, " the south end of the East Street between the drawn
way there and the swamp", Page 217, Dedham Town Records. Ralph was
active in the town of Dedham affairs until 1656 as mentioned in the
town records. Mentioned on page 144 land grants, 146 sheep commons,
184 tax rate, 190 general town meeting, 192 voted in as townman, 198
town tax rate, 203 highway work, 205 town tax rate, 212 land grants,
214 town tax rate, and on page 216 for his school rate. (These
records are at the DEDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Dedham, MA.,USA.)
Dedham in 1649, was the farthest colony in-land. It was
located above the water falls on the Charles River, which originates
in the harbor, at Boston, MASS. The choice of river valleys for
settlement was dictated by the need to bring out valuable timber from
the interior forests. The river also provided an easy means of
transporting people and supplies to and from the frontier. The
colony of Boston had become exceedingly overpopulated with the mass
immigration of Puritans from a hostile England, during its first 20
years of existence. The later arrivals, as well as, the colony's
young men, moved up these river valleys to obtain their own land.
The original land grant for Dedham in 1636 was comprised of 200
square miles, one of the largest grants given. Many of its
inhabitants had previously lived nearby. They went to the site
almost daily between the spring of 1637 and the summer of 1638. They
fell the trees, hewed them into beams, framed and clapboard their
new dwellings, before they actually moved into them. The vast
majority of these houses were one story cottages with thatched roofs.
In 1638 the Meeting House (church) in Dedham measured 38' by 20'
and 12' in height but wasn't finished inside until 1649, just 3
years before Ralph and Katherine were married here.
Dedham was a replica of other Puritan towns based on a central
village common and Meeting House with many small farms, called
"freeholds". The size of individual house lots varied among the
towns, although 4-6 acres seems to be the average. Social status and
wealth were important in determining the size of a family's lot. The
shape of an individual lot was usually rectangular and designed to
keep the settlers closely supervised by the town selectmen and
defense against attack. Normally, an acre within the town center
was reserved for public use, i.e. grazing animals, church, school
and a jail. A settler would find his land spread in several parcels
around the village plot, which assured each family meadow for
pasture, fields for crops, and a wood lot for timber.
As many of the settlers were educated, and Puritans believed
everyone should be able to read the bible, education of their
children was an early concern. A school was erected in Dedham in
1649, at the public expense. It measured 18'x15'. It had a
fireplace 4' wide, 2 windows for light, boarded walls and a plank
floor. Stairs led up to the Master's study chamber. Two years later
the school was shingled and the old chimney replaced by a brick one.
Scholars from Dedham, could become adequately prepared for entrance
to Harvard University.
Most of the settlers found the system of outlying fields an
inconvenience and would move their families to these areas. When
enough settlers had moved to a district, a new community, with the
permission of the parent village, separated to begin a parish of the
original town.
By 1713, the vast stretches of forests and meadows, which had
first attracted settlers to Dedham, were all divided. The
population of Dedham had so increased that the average holding shrank
to about a hundred acres, adequate to support a single family in
comfort but not enough to support the addition of the son's and their
families.
The rising generation in Dedham must have sensed that their
lives would be different from those of their parents and
grandparents. For some, it meant leaving Dedham, for opportunities
elsewhere.
Ralph and Katherine Freeman, had 5 known children, all born
in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MASS.



More About RALPH FREEMAN, SR.:
Fact 1: October 21, 1652, Marriage, Vital Records, Dedham, MA
Fact 2: 1656, Active in Dedham, Town Records Dedham

Ralph married LYON Katherine on 21 Oct 1652 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MA. Katherine (daughter of LYON William and CARTER Anne) was born in 1635 in MA; died in 1718. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for JONATHAN FREEMAN:
All dates from Dedham, MA, Town Vital Records.
From 3 Generation,s New Englander, book, page 204

Freeman, Jonathan, of Dedham, freeman 1684, was a soldier in
Moseley's company for the Narraganst expedition December 1675, also
called the King Philip's War. Captain Moseley was described as " an
Old Cromwellian Privateer, at Jamaica, an excellent soldier."

In 1684 Jonathan was voted a "Freeman" in Dedham. Each person who
wished to be a member of a town with voting rights, had to apply to
the Town Leaders for approval, and the person had to agree to work
for the good of the Town and Church (which were one then), and
believe in the Puritan ideals and faith.

He was a soldier in King Philip's war in Woodcock's Garrison– on the road from Dedham to Rohoboth, September 3, 1675. He was of Captain Moseley's famous company of Rangers of Dedham October 9, 1675. His brother David, then of Dedja,. was also in this war and is on a payroll dated August 24, 1676, for one pound, three shillings, sixpence.

Jonathon married, at Rehoboth, Jul 1 1689, Mary Woodcock, daughter of John Woodcock, one of the interesting men of that section in the pioneer days. Mary died at Attleborough, March 4, 1762, aged one hundred years, making her birth year 1662. John Woodcock, of Wrentham and Rehoboth, was first as Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1638, where he was largely in trade. He is probably the same man who came from Weymouth, England, before March 20,1635, and who sold land with houses at Roxbury, one to Joseph Holmes, Jun 6, 1651, the other to John Gore, March 25, 1651. He removed to Dedham in 1642 and thence to Rehoboth before 1673, living much at Wrentham. In King Philip's war his house was the only one on the road from Dedham to Rehoboth and was well garrisoned and fortified. It was perhaps within the bounds of Attleborough, near the Wrentham line. Jonathan Freeman was one of this garrison and probably met his future wife when he was a soldier fighting Indians. Woodcock had two of his family slain April 26, 1676, and another son wounded by Indians. He was deputy to the general court in 1691. Besided Mary he had a daugter Sarah, who married Alexander Balcom, and a son John Jr., who became prominent citizen of Rehoboth and Attleborough, married, February 26, 1674, Sarah Smith; a son Nathaniel killed April 28, 1676.

Birth:
13 JAN 1653/1654

Jonathan married WOODCOCK Mary on 01 Jul 1689 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. Mary (daughter of WOODCOCK John and (Woodcock) Sarah) was born on 09 Mar 1651 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co., MA; died in 1703 in Dedham, Suffolk Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married LEONARD Samuel on 08 Apr 1690 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for DAVID FREEMAN:
From 3 generation New Englander, book, page 203

Freeman, David, of Rehoboth married 04 April 1684, Margaret Ingraham
of Swanzey.
David was on the New England Farmer's Register.

David Freeman was very active in the Town of Attleboro (Attleborough)
affairs by the Records.

Died:
20 JAN 1732/1733

Family/Spouse: Marcy. Marcy died in 1723. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth. Elizabeth died on 08 Apr 1742 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married INGRAHAM Margaret on 04 Apr 1684 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. Margaret (daughter of SEALE Rebecca, daughter of INGRAHAM Jarrett) was born on 17 Jan 1663 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA; died about 16 Feb 1688 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married ARMESBEY Samuel Ormsbee or on 27 Dec 1686 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for RALPH JR. FREEMAN:

The FIRST FREEMAN'S of ATTLEBOROUGH, BRISTOL COUNTY, MA., USA

In the 17th century, when Europeans arrived in the area, Native
Americans from two tribes, the Wampanoag and the Narragansett lived
on opposite banks of the Ten Mile River. The Naragansetts carried
out numerous raids on their neighbours before the English aquired
waterfront land from the Wampanoags which served to separate the two
tribes.
Captain Thomas Willett, who succeeded Miles Standish as head of
Plymouth's Colonial Militia, negotiated the Rehoboth "North Purchase"
from the Wampanoag leader, "Wamsutta", Massasoit's son. This purchse
included today's Attleborough and North Attleborough and the upper
Ten Mile River area. Captain Willett later became the first English
Mayor of New York.
The Ten Mile River area has rocky edges, deeply shaded pine
woods, open hardwood forests, fields, streams, swamps and bogs. The
English built the first grain and saw mills here as did David
Freeman, son of Ralph Freeman of Dedham, Ma. (Attleboro Town Records)
Later, the Naragansett leader resented the movement of the
English into these areas and this led to "King Philip's War" in 1675.
This area suffured greatly with many communities been attacked and
burned, including Rehoboth. The Narragansett's were totally wiped
out and it was a number of years before the Colonies recovered from
the war.


RALPH FREEMAN's WILL
Bristol County Probate Record, September 29th 1724,

In Ralph Freeman's Will, August 14,1725 describes himself as a
Cooper, Registered September 29, 1929 in 5th book of wills 170: 171:
172 by Stephen Paine, Register for Bristol County.

In the Name of God, Amen, the fourteenth Day of August 1725 I Ralph
Freeman of the Town of Attleborough in ye County of Bristol, Cooper
being Sick and Weak in Body but of perfect Mind and memory, Thanks be
given to God: Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and
knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye, do make and
Ordain This My Last Will & Testament. That is to Say, Principally,
and first of all, I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God
that gave it; and my Body I Recommend to the Earth, to be Buried in
Decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors; Nothing
doubting, but at the General Resurrection I shall Receive the Same
again by the Almighty Power of God. And as Touching Such Worldly
Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me in this Life, I
give, Demise and Dispose of the Same in the following Manner & Form

Imprimis, I give and bequeath to My Dearly beloved Wife, a Third
Part of my whole Estate in Lands Measuages and Tenements, by her
freely to be Possessed and Enjoyed, during The Time She Remains my
Widdow; and at the Time of Her marrying again, or Deceased without
marrying; I Will that the aforesaid Third part of my Estate in Lands
Measuages and Tenements, be Returned to my Beloved Son Ralph Freeman,
to be By him & his Heirs and Asigns Frely Possessed and enjoyed for
ever, without Let or hinderance. I Likewise give and Bequeath to my
Dearly Beloved Wife all my Household Goods to be by her Possessed and
Enjoyed during ye Term of her Life and at her Deceased, I eill that
they be Returned to my Well Beloved Daughters Sarah and Hannah. I
also give and Bequeath unto my Well Beloved Wife Ten Sheep and a
horse to be by her Received of my Executors imediately after my
Decease, by her freely to be possessed and Enjoyed for ever to her
Disposing.

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto My well Beloved Son Jeremiah
Freeman, Five Shillings to be paid ( after my Deceased ) by my
Executor, to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate.

.Turn Over. Imprimis (page 1)
_________________________________________________________________
_________ ____

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto My Well-beloved Son Ralph Freeman
whome I Likewise Constit & make and Ordain My Sol Executrix of this
my Last Will and Testament (to Receive all Debts which is in any ways
Due to me, and to say all Lawfull Debts and demands which is owing by
me.) All and Singular my Lands measuage and Tenaments as also My
Stock of Cattle, Sheep, Cart and all my Husbandry Tools, to him his
Heirs and Asigns for Ever to Possess and Enjoy.

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto my Well-beloved Daughters Sarah
and Hannah all my household Goods to be Equally Divided between Both
Saving only a Bead which I Will to my Daughter Hannah over and above
to be by them Received of my Executrix imediately after my Wife's
Deceased. Also I give & Bequeath to my Daughter, Hannah one cow (out
of My Stock of Cattle) to be by her Received of My Executrix one year
after my Deceased.

Imprimis, I give and Bequeath unto my Well-beloved Grand Children
Samuel and John Freeman Ten Pounds to Each, Current Money to be Payed
to them when they Come of Age, by my Executrix to be Raised and
Levyed out of my Estate but if they Dye before they Come to Age it is
not to Return to their Executors but to my Executor againe. And I do
hereby Disalow, revolk and ? all and every other formmer Testaments,
Wills, Legacies and Bequests, and Executors, by me in any ways before
Named, Willed and Bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming This and no
other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness where I have here
unto Set My hand and Seal the Day and Year above Written

Signed, Sealed, Published, Ralph Freeman Sen'r
Pronounced and Declared by ye Said Ralph Freeman as his Last Will and
Testament in the Presents of us the Subscribers
Pentecost Blackmon
Abigail X Maxcey
(her Mark)
George Allen
_______
___________________________________________________________________
____

RALPH FREEMAN'S INVENTORY ( as of July 19th, 1726 by son Ralph
Freeman, Jr.)

We the subscribers who ware Chosen and Appointed to praise the Estate
of Ralph Freeman of Attleborough in the County of Bristol Lat
Deceased have praised sd Estate as
imprimis to his house and Land 350-50-00
item to his money 18-12-00
item to money owed by bonds and / 22-00-00
item to his wareing Aparil 6-5-00
item to three Cows 13-00-00
to one grove of Sheep 8-00-00
his Cart and Whels- 4-10 his plow and horse--- 5-12-00
his Coopers tools 2-17-6 his grindstone 3-1-06
item to his falling axes and long 00-14-00
item to his Barels tubs and milk vesels 4-6-00
Chests and tables 1-10-chairs and Whels 1-11-6 3-1-06
his best Bed and furniture 13-10 his Books 2-0 15-10-00
item to another Bed and furniture 12-10-00
to sheeps wool and one pare of sheep shears 3-17-00
Box iron heaters and lamp 0-12 Bag sive cord 8- 01-00-00
Table Lining 2-10: puter and earthen vesels 4-16-00
item to one hors and furniture (2 6) 10-00-00
to two swine 2-10: to pots Ketles & trumels 2-14 5-4-00
item to his warming pan 00-16-00
item to bels locks and chees fats 00-18-00
to one sithe and siths tacklin for two sithes 00-16-00
-----------------
490-16-06

Thomas Wilmouth
Hezekiah Peck
Edward Capron
________________________________
__________________________________________ ____

Attleborough Town Records, 1699-1789

"A stray Horse taken up by Ralph Freeman of Attleborough the 9th of
Jan 1722/23 of a dark bay colour with a star on his forhead & his
near feet are white. Branded on the near Butock with an uncertain
Brand,"

More About RALPH JR. FREEMAN:
Fact 1: August 14, 1725, Will, at Taunton, MA

Ralph married DAY Sarah about 1689. Sarah (daughter of Sr. Thomas DAY and COOPER Sarah) was born on 14 Jun 1664 in Springfield, Hampden Co., MA; died on 16 Sep 1716 in Springfield, Hampden Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married PENIWELL Alice on 18 Jan 1699. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
1 MAR 1688/1689

William married PRATT Ruth about 22 Feb 1719 in Weymouth, Norfolk Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
8 FEB 1692/1693

Died:
13 MAR 1749/1750

Jonathan married FOLLET Ruth on 20 Mar 1722 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. Ruth (daughter of FOLLET John and KELLUM Mary Martha) was born on 09 Dec 1696 in Salem, Essex Co., MA; died on 10 Jun 1745 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married FALES Daniel about 26 Jan 1730 in Wrentham, Norfolk Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married IDE Elizabeth on 03 Dec 1726 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MARCY Mary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PIDGE Josiah. Josiah was born on 11 Dec 1683 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MA; died about 18 Feb 1729 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hannah married CHAFFEE David about May 1733. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for MARGARET FREEMAN:
From the Records of the Town of Attleboro (Attleborough) MA:

Marriage of Margaret Freeman: "Mr Mathew Short and Mrs Margaret
Freeman was Married by Justice Leonard on the 27th Day of December"
Ano. Dom. 1711

Birth:
24 FEB 1687/1688

Family/Spouse: FREEMAN Jeremiah. Jeremiah (son of FREEMAN Ralph Gershon Jr. and DAY Sarah) was born on 08 Aug 1689 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MA; died in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Margaret married SHORT Matthew on 27 Dec 1711 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. Matthew (son of SHORT Henry Sr. and GLOVER Sarah) was born about 14 May 1687 in Newbury, Essex Co, MA; died on 15 Apr 1731. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for JEREMIAH FREEMAN:
I believe this family may have moved to Maine, USA.
Jeremiah was mentioned in his father's will:

RALPH FREEMAN's WILL
Bristol County Probate Record, September 29th 1724,

In Ralph Freeman's Will, August 14,1725 describes himself as a
Cooper, Registered September 29, 1929 in 5th book of wills 170: 171:
172 by Stephen Paine, Register for Bristol County.

In the Name of God, Amen, the fourteenth Day of August 1725 I Ralph
Freeman of the Town of Attleborough in ye County of Bristol, Cooper
being Sick and Weak in Body but of perfect Mind and memory, Thanks be
given to God: Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and
knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye, do make and
Ordain This My Last Will & Testament. That is to Say, Principally,
and first of all, I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God
that gave it; and my Body I Recommend to the Earth, to be Buried in
Decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors; Nothing
doubting, but at the General Resurrection I shall Receive the Same
again by the Almighty Power of God. And as Touching Such Worldly
Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me in this Life, I
give, Demise and Dispose of the Same in the following Manner & Form

Imprimis, I give and bequeath to My Dearly beloved Wife, a Third
Part of my whole Estate in Lands Measuages and Tenements, by her
freely to be Possessed and Enjoyed, during The Time She Remains my
Widdow; and at the Time of Her marrying again, or Deceased without
marrying; I Will that the aforesaid Third part of my Estate in Lands
Measuages and Tenements, be Returned to my Beloved Son Ralph Freeman,
to be By him & his Heirs and Asigns Frely Possessed and enjoyed for
ever, without Let or hinderance. I Likewise give and Bequeath to my
Dearly Beloved Wife all my Household Goods to be by her Possessed and
Enjoyed during ye Term of her Life and at her Deceased, I eill that
they be Returned to my Well Beloved Daughters Sarah and Hannah. I
also give and Bequeath unto my Well Beloved Wife Ten Sheep and a
horse to be by her Received of my Executors imediately after my
Decease, by her freely to be possessed and Enjoyed for ever to her
Disposing.

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto My well Beloved Son Jeremiah
Freeman, Five Shillings to be paid ( after my Deceased ) by my
Executor, to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate.

.Turn Over. Imprimis (page 1)
_________________________________________________________________
_________ ____

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto My Well-beloved Son Ralph Freeman
whome I Likewise Constit & make and Ordain My Sol Executrix of this
my Last Will and Testament (to Receive all Debts which is in any ways
Due to me, and to say all Lawfull Debts and demands which is owing by
me.) All and Singular my Lands measuage and Tenaments as also My
Stock of Cattle, Sheep, Cart and all my Husbandry Tools, to him his
Heirs and Asigns for Ever to Possess and Enjoy.

Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto my Well-beloved Daughters Sarah
and Hannah all my household Goods to be Equally Divided between Both
Saving only a Bead which I Will to my Daughter Hannah over and above
to be by them Received of my Executrix imediately after my Wife's
Deceased. Also I give & Bequeath to my Daughter, Hannah one cow (out
of My Stock of Cattle) to be by her Received of My Executrix one year
after my Deceased.

Imprimis, I give and Bequeath unto my Well-beloved Grand Children
Samuel and John Freeman Ten Pounds to Each, Current Money to be Payed
to them when they Come of Age, by my Executrix to be Raised and
Levyed out of my Estate but if they Dye before they Come to Age it is
not to Return to their Executors but to my Executor againe. And I do
hereby Disalow, revolk and ? all and every other formmer Testaments,
Wills, Legacies and Bequests, and Executors, by me in any ways before
Named, Willed and Bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming This and no
other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness where I have here
unto Set My hand and Seal the Day and Year above Written

Signed, Sealed, Published, Ralph Freeman Sen'r
Pronounced and Declared by ye Said Ralph Freeman as his Last Will and
Testament in the Presents of us the Subscribers
Pentecost Blackmon
Abigail X Maxcey
(her Mark)
George Allen

Died:
BEF 11 JAN 1733/1734
abt BEF 11 JAN 1733

Family/Spouse: FREEMAN Margaret. Margaret (daughter of FREEMAN David C. and INGRAHAM Margaret) was born about 24 Feb 1688 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jeremiah married FULLER Rachel about 29 Jan 1716 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married PECK Rachel on 03 Jul 1718 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. Rachel (daughter of PECK Hezekiah and COOPER Deborah) was born on 18 Apr 1698 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for RALPH FREEMAN:
History of the Town of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, from
its first Settlement, to 1882. by William Bassett (1884)
Dan Freeman, son of Ralph Freeman and Sarah Capron, lived near the
Aaron Kelton place; born June 16 1745. He removed quite early to
Winchester. Had five children.

Yankee Freeman's


The ability to purchase land became a major factor in the
Freeman's migration movements. Few people wished to risk settlement
in a new area of the wilderness, until a town was laid out.
Particularly in New Hampshire where the raids on newly settled areas,
by the French and Indians, continued until 1765. Massachusetts was
active in Granting of these new settlements in New Hampshire, in
hopes of claiming more land. They issued Land Grants to the Veteran's
of the "Indian Wars", whom they owed a debt too. These Grants
created towns in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, on both sides
of the river.

Ralph Freeman III, our line, the grandson of the first "Ralph
Freeman of Dedham", was one of these settlers to New Hampshire. The
extremely rough hills of northern New England, contained only small
pockets of fertile land , along the river valleys, on which to grow
crops. The climate was more severe with a shorter growing season,
with intense winters filled with heavy snowfalls. Only the very
hardy could survive the difficult living conditions. The men and
women who settled this area were Americans in true pioneer spirit.

Ralph Freeman III settled his family in the town of Richmond,
Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Richmond was Granted by
Massachusetts, on 20 June 1735, to Captain Joseph Sylverster's men,
called Sylvester-Canada Grant. It was later Granted to Joseph
Blanchard and others, by the governor of New Hampshire , on 28
February 1752. A triangular tract in the north part of Richmond was
annexed to Swanzey Township on 11 December 1762.

The townships were divided into 70 different shares about 6
miles square in size. The settlers were responsible for setting up
the township, clearing land for roads and erecting a grist and saw
mill. They assume the rights of self government, church and school.

Ralph Freeman III, moved his family from Richmond to
Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, the next westerly
township, on the Upper Connecticut River.

In the book, "The History of the Town of Richmond, Cheshire
County, New Hampshire, From its First Settlement, to 1882" by
William Basset, 1884, it states, "Dan Freeman, son of Ralph
Freeman and Sarah Capron, lived near the Aaron Kelton place, born
June 16, 1745. He removed quite early to Winchester. Had 5
children." page 389.

The township of Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire,
was Granted to Col. Josiah Willard and 63 others, on 11 February
1952. He had the proprietary rights to distribute land and assumed
responsibility for setting up the township. Winchester is located on
the Ashulot River in the south-west corner of New Hampshire. During
the "King George War" in the early 1750's, troops were constantly
moving to and from the Connecticut River Valley region, and many
people became interested in this previously unexplored land. They
saw it not only as rich farm land, but as a valuable area for
speculation.

Settlers had to locate near rivers for their connections to the
New England Markets. But links to markets were only one aspect of
the problems facing the new settlers. The frontier itself was nearly
self-sufficient in foodstuff supply, thus, local markets were
almost non existent for a pioneer family. Unable to produce large
amounts of marketable agricultural surplus, encumbered by transport
problems, burdened by high land costs, the aftermath of War time
financial policies, new settlements in the 1750's were not as
quickly absorbed by the commercial system of the region as most new
settlements had been in the 1600's and in such, living conditions
changed rapidly within large families. Each son had to carve himself
out a new settlement, in the wilderness and begin a new farm,
without the financial aid of his parents. Such was the life of the
Freeman's.

Ralph married CAPRON Sarah on 29 Oct 1726 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. Sarah (daughter of CAPRON Banfield and CALLENDER Elizabeth) was born on 11 Mar 1708 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA; died in 1789 in Richmond, Cheshire Co., NH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STOVER Joseph. Joseph was born about 1699 in Gloucester, Essex Co., Mass.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]