FREEMAN James b c 1767 - Transported to Australia

[Megatill]

Hi!

I am researching James Freeman, b c 1767, transported for 7 years in 1787 on the Ship ALEXANDER arriving Botany Bay 26 January, 1788.

I have a lot of information about James once he arrived in the colony - de facto relationship with Mary Edwards, first public hangman in the Colony, died pauper and buried in St Matthew's CofE Windsor, NSW. I also have his court transcription and arrest info - arraigned in the Lent Hertford Assizes. Information thereon shows him late of Watford.

However, I have next to nothing about him prior to his conviction.

I am hoping that he will have a family somewhere in Hertfordshire, and that one of us will be able to put a family to him!

Thanks in advance from Oz!

[Maddie]

Hi

I don't know if this will be any help to you but I have a Joseph Freeman loosely connected. He was born in c1820, Kings Langley ( Watford district ).

I believe he is related to a James Freeman born c1762 in Kings Langley.

If you think this is a possible for your James, let me know & I'll try to help.

Regards
Maddie

[Megatill]

Hi Maddie - to be honest, I can not really tell if yours is my James Freeman.

The Lent Assizes Court transcript states that my James was 16, so doing the math has him born approximately 1767.   Of course, there is the distinct possibility that your James of 1762 is part of my James' family (maybe a previous son who died, allowing my James to be renamed...).


What is your feeling about this?


I would appreciate any help

[Maddie]

Hi

Like yourself I have nothing to connect these Freeman's together. As you say, it is possible your James was a later son. I only have the IGI & BVRI to go on & I did notice another James Freeman Christened 8th Mar 1769 in Rickmansworth, which also came under Watford so he could also be a possibility.

I wonder if there are any clues to your James's parentage in the names that he gave his subsequent children. Just a thought. !!

I think the only way to find James would be to check the PR's at HALS  ( Hertfordshire Archives ), as there's every chance he is not included on the IGI.

Unfortunately I can't get there so it could be worth you posting a request for  a look up in the Watford PR's should one of the extremely helpful people on the forum be visiting HALS.

With luck the smallest of clues could help. !!

What do you think.?

Maddie

[Megatill]

Thanks for that hint, Maddie - I will followup with the Hertfordshire people (FHS). I'll firstly have a look in the Sydney SAG and see if they have any hints or even connections.

I'll also have a look at the Rickmansworth info (if I can find hit here!).

Thanks again!

[petercornish]

Hi,

I searched the Watford PRs at HALS yesterday, but regret no trace of James circa 1767.

Regards   ...   Peter

[Maddie]

Hi Peter

Thanks for that, it is kind of you.

Megatill,

As your James doesn't appear in the Watford PR's maybe he is connected to Kings Langley or Rickmansworth.

I have the Militia Lists for these areas & there are Freemans in both in the 1760's. The one in Rickmansworth is actually in Croxley Green ( same place back then ). Croxley is my own home ground so I'll be interested to see what you can find.

Regards
Maddie

[Megatill]

Thank you very much, Peter - great help! At least it eliminates that source.

Maddie - I will look into Rickmansworth/Croxley Green scenario and see what I can find.

Many thanks,

Megan

[LyndseyB]

Hi Megatill

I read your  post with interest as I am a direct descendant of the Freeman family who were in Meesden, Hertforshire in the 1800’s.  They were a large family and there were three James’s that I know of. However, I’ve not been able to get back further than 1767 as HALS tell me the records for before that time covering that area were lost many, many years ago.

If you ever establish a connection to the Meesden Freeman’s I’ve lots of info I can pass on.

Best wishes for 2007!

Lyndsey