Freeman (Colonial) facts for kids

A freeman was a person who was not a slave during the American colonial period. This term first appeared in Europe in the 12th century. In the American colonies, being a freeman meant you had special rights and responsibilities.

In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a man had to be a member of the Church to become a freeman. However, in the nearby Plymouth Colony, a man did not need to be a church member. Instead, he had to be elected to this special privilege by the General Court. Being a freeman gave a person the right to vote. In Plymouth, by 1632, only freemen were allowed to vote.

Being a freeman meant you had all the civil and political rights that belonged to people living under a free government. It also meant you were not a slave. Historically, it could also mean a member of a city or town who had full citizen rights, especially the right to vote. Sometimes, it referred to someone who owned land freely, without owing it to anyone else.

Becoming a Freeman

Many people came to the colonies as indentured servants. This meant someone else paid for their trip to America. In return, they agreed to work for that person for a set number of years, usually five or seven. This was not seen as a bad thing. In fact, many relatives of wealthy English families came this way. They worked for their passage to America.

An indentured servant would sign a contract agreeing to serve for a specific time. At the end of their service, they usually received money, new clothes, land, or even passage back to England. An indentured servant was different from an apprentice or a child who was "placed out" to work.

When a male first arrived in a colony or joined a local church, he was usually considered "common." He was not yet formally considered free. These people were not forced to work for others. However, their actions were watched. If they did not follow the Puritan way of life, they might be asked to leave the colony. There was usually a hidden "probation" period of one to two years. If a person passed this time, they were allowed their freedom. A freeman was someone who was free of all debt, owing nothing to anyone except God.

Rights and Responsibilities of a Freeman

Once a man became a freeman, he was no longer considered a common person. He could then become a member of the church, which he usually did. He could also own land. The amount of land he could own sometimes depended on how many family members he had.

As a freeman, he became part of the governing body. This body met in annual or semi-annual town meetings. They would make and enforce laws and decide on civil and criminal cases. As the colonies grew, these meetings became too difficult to manage. So, a system with elected representatives was developed.

Freemen would choose deputy governors for the upper house of the General Court. They would also choose assistant governors for the lower house. These groups would then choose the governor from among themselves. They also made decisions in civil and criminal matters. To hold any of these important offices, a person had to be a freeman. This meant that only land-owning male church members could vote and hold office. People who were not Puritans could not become freemen.

Free Planters

A "free planter" was different from a "freeman." A free planter was any land holder. They owned land outright, usually given to them by the colony after their probationary period. This was unless they had inherited their property. If a free planter was deemed legally unable to manage their affairs, or if they lost their freedom due to their own actions, their land and property would be taken away. It would then be given to the remaining freemen. This could happen even if the person had inherited the land and was well-respected.

The Oath of a Freeman

At first, everyone who wanted to be free had to take the Oath of a Freeman. In this oath, they promised to defend the Commonwealth. They also vowed not to try to overthrow the government. The first handwritten version of the "Freeman's Oath" was made in 1634. It was printed by Stephen Daye in 1639. This was done as a broadside, which is a single sheet of paper meant for public display.