Phebe Janette (Treadwell) Freeman (abt. 1827)

Born about 1827 in Massachusetts, United States

Wife of Franklin H Freeman — married 1 Jun 1845 in Sheffield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: K Raymoure [send private message]

Biography

Phebe (Treadwell) Freeman is a part of US Black heritage.

Phebe Janette was born about 1827^[1][2]-1830^[3] in Massachusetts^[1][2]. She was the mother^[1][4] of Civil War soldier Henry F. Burghardt of the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

Phebe J. Freeman further says that said Henry F. Burghardt is her son born a bastard & while she (this said Phebe) was a single woman and unmarried and that the person who begot the said Henry F. Burghardt is Ira Burghardt & was never [...] to be the legal father of said son - And she further states that there is no public record of her marriage with the said Ira Burghardt & she was never married to said Ira nor to any other person [...] the said Franklin H. Freeman, which was since the birth of said illegitimate son and the best evidence she is able to procure of her marriage to said Franklin H. Freeman is herewith presented - and she also herewith presents other evidence of her being a single woman when said Henry F. Burghardt the said soldier was born of her body, and that she has depended upon her said son for support and that he has contributed to her support.^[4]

Occupations

• 1870^[2], 1880^[3]: Keeping house

Residences

• 1880: Lee, Massachusetts with her husband Frank Freeman, children, and Messick grandchild^[3]
• 1870: Lee, Massachusetts with her husband Frank Freeman and children^[2]
• 1850: Lee, Massachusetts with her husband Frank Freeman and children^[1]

Land Owner

• 1870: $500 real estate value in Lee, Massachusetts^[2]

Race

• 1850^[1], 1870^[2], 1880^[3]: Black

Research Notes

Raymoure-1 07:59, 14 September 2019 (UTC): In her pension application, she names Ira Burghardt as Henry's father. There are two Ira Burghardts alive in Berkshire County at this time. I'm predisposed to believe it is Francis Ira "Ira" Burghardt because census records indicate she initially named her son Francis Henry Burghardt and only later did her or she start using the name Henry instead. F. Ira Burghart was not yet married, and other records indicate Phebe was coerced by the father. The other Ira is Ira Burghardt who would have been in his 40s. His legitimate children were born around the same time as Henry. He is by no means ruled out. Hopefully some document will eventually clarify. The two Ira Burghardts are uncle and nephew.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} 1850 federal census
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} 1870 federal census
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} 1880 federal census
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} military pension files as mother of Private Henry F. Burghardt, KIA, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Co. A

• 1850 United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M432_306; Page: 52B; Image: 109 (as Phoebe J. Freeman)
• 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_601; Page: 384B; Family History Library Film: 552100
• 1880 United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 521; Page: 180B; Enumeration District: 050
• Fold3.com. "Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Civil War Veterans, ca. 1861 - ca. 1910." National Archives Catalog #300020. "Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Veterans of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, compiled 1861 - 1934." Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2019.