Benjamin Freeman (abt. 1658 - 1730)

Born about 1658 in Colchester, Essex, England

Husband of Dorcas (Unknown) Freeman — married 1685 in Colchester, Essex, England

Died 22 Aug 1730 at about age 72 in Colchester, Essex, England

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Biography

Benjamin was a Friend (Quaker)

Benjamin Freeman was born about 1658, most likely in or near Colchester, Essex, England. He was a Quaker who lived in Colchester during his adult life.

Benjamin Freeman was married twice. His first marriage was to a Quaker woman named Dorcas. With her, he had two daughters and two sons. Of these children, only two daughters named Dorcas and Anne were remaining at the time Benjamin made his will in 1730.^[1]

In 1682, Benjamin Freeman was persecuted and jailed in London's Newgate Prison for being a Quaker. Evidently, he owned an apothecary shop in London. The contents of the shop were taken according to Joseph Besse's "A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers" page 451 - 453. ^[2]

Benjamin Freeman, persecuted Quaker

Benjamin Freeman's first wife Dorcas died in either June of 1701^[3] or 1702. He was subsequently remarried to a woman named Abigail, who survived him. She was named a beneficiary of his 1730 will, probated in 1731 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.^[4] Also named in this will were daughters Dorcas Rogers and Anne Hews. Four grandchildren were also mentioned: Benjamin Rogers, Benjamin Hews, John Hews and Abigail Hews.

The will of Benjamin Freeman was written August of 1730 at Colchester, England. His actual burial was recorded by the Colchester Quaker church on October 22, 1730 in Colchester, Essex, England.^[5] According to this church record, Benjamin Freeman was aged 72 at the time of his death.

The will of Benjamin Freeman named 2 daughters and no sons as beneficiaries.^[6] A second wife named Abigail was also named.

Benjamin Freeman Will, Page 2 Naming Daughter Ann's Children

Sources

1. ↑ The National Archives, Kew, England.Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. Digitized images. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11. Piece 642: Isham, Quire Numbers 1-49 (1731)
2. ↑ Besse, Joseph, A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers, pp 451-453.
3. ↑ "England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JCX8-TJJ : 14 March 2020), Benjamin Freeman in entry for Dorcas Freeman, 1701.
4. ↑ The National Archives, Kew, England.Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. Digitized images. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11. Piece 642: Isham, Quire Numbers 1-49 (1731)
5. ↑ England & Wales, Society of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841 Image https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=tna%2frg6%2f0999%2f0%2f0178&parentid=tna%2frg6%2fbur%2f777700
6. ↑ The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 642.

• "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQVM-CJ7 : 11 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman in entry for Dorcas Freeman, 05 Aug 1686, Birth; citing p. 35, Colchester, Essex, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G4-WT1 : 6 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman in entry for Ann Freeman, Ann Freeman; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 942.67 V26FI.

• "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7L6-T8R : 11 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman in entry for Ann Freeman, 20 Mar 1687, Birth; citing p. 34, Colchester, Essex, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G4-4QN : 6 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman in entry for John Freeman, John Freeman; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 942.67 V26FI.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G4-4QF : 6 December 2014), John Freeman, John Freeman; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 942.67 V26FI.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G4-Z64 : 6 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman, Benjamin Freeman; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 942.67 V26FI.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5G4-V4Q : 6 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman in entry for Dorcas Freeman, Dorcas Freeman; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 942.67 V26FI.

• "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWVP-1M5 : 11 December 2014), Benjamin Freeman, 22 Oct 1730, Burial; citing p. 178, Colchester, Essex, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.

• Besse, Joseph, A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers, pp 451-453.

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K8Q2-HD2

• https://www.geni.com/people/Benjamin-Freeman/6000000078627851296?through=6000000078627705286