FREEMAN Dexter

Dexter married FULLER Maria on 01 Apr 1844 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

More About NATHAN FREEMAN:
Fact 1: nearly 100 years old at death.

Nathan married ARNOLD Anne. [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]

Notes:

Notes for SARAH CAPRON:
Sarah married Ralph Freeman of Attleboro. They afterwards lived in
Bellingham, and from there moved to Richmond, New Hampshire, where
they lived to their deaths. She was a very old woman when she died.

Birth:
or 1709

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]

Notes:

Found in the Proprietors' Records of Bristol Co.
The Bounds of the Lands of Jn Calender and Banfield Capron. Impr. ffourty five acres of land Be it more Lest. Being their first and part of theire second Lotts Lying by Ould Thomas Coopers Land Beyond Jn Lanes the first corner is a black oake in said Coopers Line thence North one hundred Rod to a White oake markt thence North Nor West Eighty Rod to a Toa (sic) black oake markt for a Corner thence West fourty Rod to a white oake markt for a corner thence South Southeast Eighty Rod to a white oake marts thence South a hundred Rod to White oake markt for a Corner thence East to said Coopers corner being an ash tree then by said Coopers Line to the ffirst corner. Impr Likewise the Remaining part of theire Second Lotts being five acres be it more or less four acres whereof Lyeth by Jn Calenders ould Lott Bounded South theiir own Land East the Bay Rhoad North Jn Martains Land thence South from the South West corner of said Martains Land to there own Land. Impr. Likewise one acre lying on the East sid of the bay Rhoad over against the sd Calender ould house for Conveniency of Building a house.
(an unknown value). He immigrated circa 1674 to Massachusetts.3 He was Property Transaction John Callender of Attleborough, Bristol Count, Mass., for the Sum of forty six Pounds currt silver - - payd by Banfield Capron of the town - - - aforesaid - - - sell - - - to him - - - the one half of a whole share of Upland Swamp & Medow ground in the lands called Rehoboth North Purchase Lands on the Bungee river and also other piece of land. 22 Nov. 1706 Witnesses, Nicholas Ide, Daniel Smith.| on 22 November 1706 at Bristol County, Massachusetts.4 He sold property on 8 March 1727 at near Bungy Brook, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts.5

Banfield Capron left a will dated 8 April 1747 in Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts, Transcript of the Will of Banfield Capron of Attleboro Co. Bristol, Providence Mass. Bay in N. E. .
To Sarah beloved wife one fireroom in dwelling home; brass kettle and andirons during her natural life and the reason only I give my wife no more is because we did agree ( ) before marriage.
Son Jonathan Capron who is also executor, real estate in Attleboro, land and tenement where ( ) dwells etc, etc.
Son Banfield Capron, Son John Capron's children 20 pounds each.
Son Joseph Capron, Son Edward Capron, Dau Elizabeth Brown, Dau Hannah Aldrich, Dau Mary Tyler, Children of dau. Margaret Arnold, Dau Sarah Freeman, dau Rebeeka wife of son Jonathan, g.s. Benjamin Capron son of son Jonathan ( )

Signed 8 April 1747 by Banfield Capron
Witnessed: Thomas Wilmarth
Eliphalet Wilmarth
Rebecca Wilmarth.6

Biographical Notes for Banfield Capron: No records of any Caprons have been found in Cheshire, England. There are numerous Caprons in Devon and several in Somerset. Also there are several Callenders in Devon including an Elizabeth born 1661 dau. of John. Have not made positive ID on this Elizabeth but believe her to be Banfield's wife. Therefore I believe the Holden book to be wrong in stating Banfield was from "...the north of England near Wales." and a more accurate statement to be "...the north of Devon(shire) near Wales."

Died:
His estate was probated on 13 October 1752.

Banfield married CALLENDER Elizabeth in Dec 1680. Elizabeth (daughter of CALLENDER John) was born about 1662 in Devon, England; died on 10 May 1732 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]