John Freeman (1771 - bef. 1854)

Born 1771 in Virginia

Husband of Susan Ann (Davis) Freeman — married 28 Jan 1804 in Roane, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

Died before 8 Feb 1854 before age 83 in Roane, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

John Freeman was born about 1771/1772 in either Lunenburg or Bedford County, Virginia. He was a son of [[Freeman-11363 | James Freeman and Sarah MNU.

John was raised in Bedford County, Virginia, somewhere close to Turner's Mountain and about 10 miles southeast of the town of Bedford. His father bought land there in 1773/1774.

John first appeared in records in the 1802 Bedford County property tax records. He was also there in 1803 but disappears afterward. It s presumed he moved to Tennessee about 1803/1804. He married Susannah 'Sucky' Davis in Roane Co, TN in 1804.

John was 78 years old in the 1850 Census. John wrote his will on 2 August 1853 and that will was proven in court on 8 February 1854. His death occurred between those dates.

Will of John Freeman

Roane County, Tennessee Wills and Estate Settlements, p. 445 (FHL Film 4776177, Image 255); Roane County, Tennessee; 2 August 1853 (written), 8 February 1854 (proved),
I, John Freeman, being in his proper mind make and ordain this as my last will and testament. First that is to say I give my beloved wife Susan Ann Freeman all my household and kitching furniture together with all my farming and working tools, and all my grane that I have on hand including corn, wheat & oats together with the present growing crop and all my live stock horse, cattle and hogs and the land I know own during her life in this time world and at her death I want the land sold on one and two years credit and the money eaquiley divided between my aris to wit, one 8th B. D. Freeman and one eighth to James Freeman aris (sic), one eighth to Silvester Freeman, one eighth to Littleton Freeman, one eighth John A. Freeman, one eighth to Thomas Freeman and one eighth S. E. Moore, one eighth to Britton Freeman. And I wish it understood that if either of these children above named sell their part before the land is sold that they perfect their claim and it is to be divided among the rest that don’t sell there claims. I consider that Frances Moreland her part. I appoint John Moreland and Susan Ann Freeman my executors. I do hereto set my hand and seal. [Signed] John Freeman; Wit: Presley L. Amos, Samuel Alexander; State of Tennessee, County, Court, Roane County 8 February 1854; Then was the foregoing last will and testament of John Freeman, deceased, produced in open court and the execution and declaration thereof duly proved by the oaths of Presly L. Amos and Samuel Alexander the subscribing witnesses thereto and admitted to record and ordered to be certified & Recorded. Witness my hand at Office in Kingston the 1st Monday of February 1854. Note: In the same will book are entries for settlement of the estate of James Freeman, deceased, for his widow, Aesah Freeman. Entries dated April 1849, July 1849 and April 1852. See pp. 145, 161 and 327.

Research Notes

This profile previously included a middle name of "Houston" and indication that John was a "Judge". No documentary evidence has been made available to support either claim. As a result, both references have been removed. Possibly, additional research of Roane County records could reveal more.

Sources

• Bedford County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1805 (FHL Film 7846308); John Freeman (over 16) appears on these lists only for 1802 and 1803.

• "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDMB-B4C : 8 December 2014), John Freeman and Sucky Davis, 28 Jan 1804; citing , Roane, Tennessee, reference 2:2BMFK6N; FHL microfilm 560,087.

• Roane County, Tennessee Deed Book F, p. 463 (FHL Film 8097722, Image 250); 31 May 1820, John Freeman to Thomas Spence, 4 acres adjoining Freeman and Spence. Wit: Robert Spence, Moses Burnett.

• Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pp 106-107 (FHL Film 7645300, Image 75); 28 August 1822 (written), 28 July 1828 (proved), Will of James Freeman mentions... to my son, John Freeman, I give one share as also with all he has ever received of me to him and his heirs forever...

• 1830 Federal Census, Roane County, Tennessee; John Freeman, 1 male <5, 2 males 10-14, 1 male 15-19, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 50-59, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 40-49.

• 1840 Federal Census, Roane County, Tennessee; John Freeman, 1 male 10-14, 1 male 60-69, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 20-29, 1 female 50-59.

• 24 September 1850 Federal Census, Roane County, Tennessee; Household # 694/734, John Freeman, 78, farmer, $800 real estate, born VA; Susannah Freeman, 65, born NC; Sarah E. Freeman, 19, born TN; Frances Pugh, 34, born TN.

• Roane County, Tennessee Deed Book M, p. 147 (FHL Film 8151057, Image 104); 2 February 1853, John Freeman to Frances Moreland, 65 acres adjoining Samuel Alexander. Wit: Joseph M. Freeman, A. M. Hankins, E. M. Cooly.