Elizabeth (Black) Freethy (abt. 1763 - 1860)

Born about 1763 in Naskeag, Lincoln, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Wife of Joseph Freethy — married about 1780 in Sedgwick, Maine

Descendants

Died 27 Feb 1860 at about age 97 in Sedgwick, Hancock, Maine, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bill Paschal [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Black, the daughter of John Black and Abigail Watson, was born in 1763. She was the first child born in Sedgwick Township. Her father was one of the first permanent settlers of Sedgwick, arriving about 1763. Her mother was the sister of Shadrach Watson, who has also one of the first permanent settlers.

In 1787, the proprietors of Sedgwick voted that Elizabeth should have 100 acres of land "for her and her heirs and assigns, because she was the first born in the township) Elizabeth died in 1867 at the age of 104 years.

Note: Sedgwick was formed in 1789 from Naskeag Plantation. Hancock County was also formed in 1789 from part of Lincoln County.

The following is the obituary of Elizabeth Black Freethy, which appeared in The Ellsworth Herald MARCH 9, 1860 ^[1]. Brooklin, Feb. 27, Mrs. Elizabeth FREETHY, age about 104 years.

Mrs. Freethy linked us far back to the past. She was the first white child born in this town, then a part of Sedgwick. She lived in the stirring, trying times of the Revolution. Her husband served during war. She saw the British come into Waskeag, burn every building upon the point except an old hovel, shoot down the cattle, and commit other outrages. All these youthful memories were as fresh in her mind as if they transpired yesterday. She became a hopeful disciple of Christ in the first revival of religion that occurred in this town under Father Merrill. Under his ministry she joined his church, then Congregational, of which she remained a worthy member until it became extinct. The last time I saw her alive she spoke of that revival.

"You can remember that?" I asked her; "Oh, yes," she replied, "I shall never forget that I had long felt myself a lost helpless sinner. It seemed there no pardon, no hope, no Savior for me. I arose one morning feeling all was lost. I was ready to give up in despair. I stepped to the door facing east and put one hand on each sill and looked out. Just then the sun arose, clear, beautiful, bright, and the Son of Righteousness arose too, upon my soul, with healing in His wings. Everything seemed to break forth into a song of praise, and I joined in the song. Oh, I shall never forget how precious Jesus looked to me then, and He is now."

Hers was a quiet, steady, consistent, cheerful piety which led her to make all feel happy about her. Someone said to me the other day, "We children all loved Aunt Lizzie. We loved to go there. She always had a kind word, a gentle smile, a soft hand, a nice piece of bread and cheese for all the children who went to see her."

This fact gives an insight into her real character. She had a green old age, though her head was gray, the skin wrinkled and her limbs feeble and tottery, yet she had a young heart. She loved the children and they loved her. She was the mother of 12 children, 8 of whom are still living. She leaves some 200 living descendants, children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren down to the 5th generation. One of the relatives assured me that he has counted up over 350 of her descendants. She served her generation and now sleeps in Jesus.

Joseph and Elizabeth had the following children:

• i. James Freethy, b. 5 June 1781^[2].
• ii. Lucy Freethy, b. 6 August 1783 ^[3]m. Benjamin Cole d. 08 Aug 1873.
• iii. Betsy Freethy, b.11 October 1784^[4] m. Solomon Gray d. 20 Aug 1860.
• iv. Joseph Freethy, b. 4 February 1788 ^[5], lost at sea.
• v. Naby Freethy (probably "Abigail") b, 8 May 1780 ^[6]. She died 23 June 1811.
• vi. Peggy Freethy, b. 4 September 1793 m. John Grindle d. 23 May 1874
• vii. Phebe Freethy, born 19 July 1795^[7] m. Daniel McKenzie.
• viii. Caroline Freethy, born 17 October 1797 m. Shadrach Herrick.
• ix. Nancy Freethy, b. 25 July 1800 m. George Herrick?.
• x.10. Cinthya Freethy, b. 17 April 1803 in Sedgwick. She died 5 July 1810.
• xi. Alred Freethy, b. 21 July 1805 in Sedgwick m. Nicinda Carter d. 1 May 1883
• xii. Lewis Freethy, b. 22 March 1808 died young.

Joseph's stone sits in a plot surrounded by a stockade fence. There are only two stones in this plot, one with the name "Freethey" and his stone that is inscribed "Joseph Freathey, Revolutionary War veteran and one of the earliest settler of the region." This information came from the "cemeteries of Brooklin, Me", by Roxanne Sly.

A few summers ago I went to visit this site and, using a metal detector, found several locations around and outside of the fenced in area, where there were metal objects (nails, hinges??) located that may indicate burials. For that reason and because her burial location is unknown I have placed Elizabeth with Joseph in this burial plot

Sources

• bio from the Sedgwick Vital Records vol 1, page 394

1. ↑ Jean's Maine Genealogy Page
2. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-DMB : 10 February 2018), James Freathy, 05 Jun 1781; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.
3. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-Z8F : 10 February 2018), Lucy Freathy, 06 Aug 1783; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.
4. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-CLK : 10 February 2018), Betty Freathy, 11 Oct 1785; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.
5. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-DZF : 10 February 2018), Joseph Freathy, 04 Feb 1788; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.
6. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-CVY : 10 February 2018), Naby Freathy, 08 May 1790; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.
7. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4C4-ZRK : 10 February 2018), Phebe Freathy, 19 Jul 1795; citing SEDGWICK,HANCOCK,MAINE; FHL microfilm 27,756.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #139402788 (accessed 22 January 2023)
  Memorial page for Elizabeth Black Freethy (1763-1867), citing Freethy Family Cemetery, Brooklin, Hancock County, Maine, USA; Maintained by 47117651 (contributor 47117651).