Thomas Freeman 1731-1800 and Esther Ryder ca 1731 -1802 of Harwich, Chatham and Falmouth, Mass.

Thomas Freeman was born “at Cape Cod,” which I believe refers to Eastham, on 26 April 1731, the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Cole) Freeman (birth is recorded in a group of births of Thomas Freeman Senior’s children, Harwich Town Records First Record Book p 211, some of his siblings say born Harwich). I wrote about Thomas and Dorothy Freeman here. He is my 7th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins’ side of the family. 

On 17 January 1750[/51] Thomas Freeman Jr. of Harwich married, at Chatham, Esther Rider (also seen as Ryder) of Chatham. (Chatham Vital Records p 53) Note that on page 106 of the Chatham Vital Records the marriage date is 7 January 1750. Since their marriage intentions were published May 1750, it’s logical that their marriage took place January 1750/51 and not 1749/50. 

Esther, also seen as Hester and Easter, was born about 173, likely at Chatham, the daughter of Nathaniel and Desire (Godfrey) Ryder. None of Nathaniel and Desire’s children’s births were recorded, but the will of their known daughter Eunice Godfrey Nickerson, dated 3 December 1808 and probated 10 January 1809 helps identify her siblings. (Barnstable County Probate 33:311 and 32:170) 

Esther and Thomas had six children, born Harwich (Harwich Vital Records, p 2):

1. Dorothy Freeman born 14 Nov 1752, m. Elnathan Eldredge 
2. Obed Freeman 4 Jan 1754, m. Abigail Delano 
3. Sarah Freeman born 28 Aug 1756, m. Joseph Bovine
4. Eunice Freeman, born 3 Sept 1764, married Calvin Crocker
5. Thomas Freeman, born 27 Nov 1766, m. Emma Eldredge 
6. Esther Freeman, born 3 Aug 1770, m. Seth Robinson 

I descend from their daughter Dorothy. I wrote about Dorothy and Elnathan here.

Thomas and Esther moved to Falmouth in 1780 or 81.  On 18 July 1780 Thomas Freeman of Harwich yeoman and Esther Freeman his wife sold for 150 pounds all of their Harwich homestead land to Benjamin Smalle Jur of Harwich. Located northwest corner of Round Cove. Mentions abutters: Elnathan Eldredge, Jonathan Freeman deceased, Coles land, Samuel Freeman. Includes cedar swamp. Deed signed by Thomas and Esther signed with her mark. Witnessed by Thomas Snow and Solomon Freeman. (Barnstable County Deeds, Book 38, Folio 7) 

Round Cove, Harwich

In 1781 Thomas and Esther were received to the church in Falmouth, by Letter of Church in Chatham.

East End Meeting house built 1797

Thomas served in the Revolutionary War. People have joined the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution with him as their ancestor. He was a private who served in Capt Abijah Bangs (as Thomas Freeman) and Capt Elijah Smalley (as Thomas Freemon) Company, Major Zenas Winslow’s (2nd Barnstable) Regiment. He had four or five days service, on alarms at Bedford and Falmouth in September 1778. 

1790 Federal Census, Falmouth:  Thomas Freeman, 1 male 16 plus, 1 male under 16, 3 females, Next name listed is his son Thomas Freeman Jr, 1 male 16 plus, 1 male under 16, 1 female. 

I am still searching for information on Thomas’ occupation (other than yeoman/farmer), whether he served his communities in a formal way, or why he moved to Falmouth. 

Thomas died 26 February 1800 at Falmouth in the 68th year of his age. (Falmouth Vital Records II:183)

Esther died Falmouth 9 April 1802. 

Thomas and Esther Freeman are buried at the East End Burying Ground on Sandwich Road in East Falmouth. The gravestones are of red sandstone and in good condition.

In Memory of

Thomas Freeman

Who Departed this

Life February 26th 1800

In the 68 year 

Of his Age

In Memory of

Esther Freeman

Wife of 

Thomas Freeman

Who Departed this

Life April 9th 1802

In the 72 Year 

Of her Age

They both have small writing near bottom of graves that I can’t completely decipher, sayings or Bible verses.

Sources Not Listed Above:

Frederick Freeman, Freeman Genealogy in Three Parts…,” 1875

Arthur and Katharine Radash, NEHGS Register, "The Family of Nathaniel Ryder of Chatham, Mass.," October 1973

Eleanor Cooley Rue, Mayflower Descendant, "The Nathaniel Ryder Families of Barnstable and Chatham in the 18th Century," Vol 41, No. 2, July 1991

Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War, United States Muster Rolls 1775-1783, p 53