Edmund Freeman (1596-1682) and Elizabeth Freeman Gravesite in Sandwich, Mass.

This week I stopped to pay my respects at the burial location of Edmund and Elizabeth Freeman aat 6 Tupper Road in Sandwich. It was moving to see their “saddle and pillion” stones alone in a clearing by the woods. And equally special to walk where their homestead was located.

Edmund/Edmond Freeman was baptized 25 July 1596 at Pulborough, Sussex, England. He married, first, Bennet Hodsoll on 16 Jun 1617 at Cowfold, Sussex. They had at least six children, two of whom died young. Bennet died in April 1630 at Pulburough. I descend from Edmund and Bennet’s daughter Elizabeth as well as their son John. 

In 1632 Edmund married, second, Elizabeth [Raymer?]. They may have had a child Mary, although I’m uncertain if she was Edmund’s daughter or stepdaughter.

In 1635 Edmund, Elizabeth and his four surviving children immigrated to North America aboard the Abigail. They settled first at Saugus (now Lynn) north of Boston, then briefly at Plymouth, and finally at Sandwich on Cape Cod where they remained for the rest of their days. Edmund was considered the leader of the “Ten Men From Saugus,” the founders of that town. Settling Sandwich was approved by grant from the King dated 3 April 1637. 

Sandwich was part of Plymouth Colony and Edmund was very involved in civic affairs. He was Assistant Governor, served on the Council of War,  was a Representative to the General Court, and a selectman. One of the things about Edmund that endear him to me is that he was tolerant of the Quakers/Friends who were so frequently persecuted. 

Eugene Stratton wrote in Plymouth Colony Its History and People 1620-1691 that when Elizabeth died on 14 February 1675/76, Edmond selected a boulder shaped like a pillion [a cushion that attached to a saddle to accommodate a second person], which was dragged by oxen to her grave.  He then selected another boulder, resembling a saddle, and requested his sons to mark his resting-place with it when he passed on.  He died between 21 June 1682,  when he wrote his will, and 2 November 1682 when it was proven. He was an incredible 86 years old

Edmund is my 11th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins’ side of the family. A more detailed sketch I wrote about Edmund Freeman can be seen here.