Ellis Family

Nicholas Freeman (1)

Simon Freeman (2) born about 1600 in London, England married Elizabeth Calcot daughter of John Calcot and Isabell Standish.

Ralph Freeman, Sr. (3) born 14 December 1629 St. Peters, Cornhill, London, England, d. 25 May 1718 Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts. He married 21 December 1652 in Dedham, Norfolk Co, Massachusetts to Katherine Lyon born 1630 in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts to William Lyon and Anne Carter.

Ralph Freeman, Jr. (4) born 20 April 1662 Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, d. 15 August 1725 Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts, married Sarah Day about 1689.

Benjamin Freeman (5) born 6 July 1693 in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, d. 1 May 1724 in Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts. He married 3 July 1718 Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts to Rachel Peck born 18 April 1698 in Attleboro to Hezekiah Peck and Deborah Cooper. They had at least one son, Samuel Freeman.

Samuel Freeman (6) was born about 1720 Attelboro, Bristol, Massachusetts, died 31 December 1772 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts Married: 9 May 1744 Needham, Norfolk, Massachusetts to Mary Chubb was born about 1724 Massachusetts Their children:

Benjamin Freeman, was born 24 October 1744 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 22 May 1806 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts

Samuel Freeman was born 27 September 1746 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 26 September 1772

Rachel Freeman was born 9 September 1748 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Comfort Freeman was born 23 August 1750 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 1 December 1806 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

David Freeman was born 1753 was christened 11 January 1753 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Jared Freeman was born 27 December 1753 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died Aft April 1810 Lanesboro, Berkshire, Massachusetts.

Walter Freeman was born 26 August 1754 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 16 October 1754 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mary Freeman was born October 1755 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 8 August 1757 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Martha Freeman was born 14 September 1757 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 9 May 1804 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts married Jedediah Ellis.

Mary Freeman was born 14 September 1757 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Walter Freeman was born 20 August 1759 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Rainy Freeman was born 22 March 1763 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Chester Freeman was born 7 November 1766 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, died 8 May 1767 Sturbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.

From: “New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 2” page 547 & 548

Freeman

(I) Edmund Freeman, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1590, and came in the ship “Abigail” in July, 1635, with wife Elizabeth and children Alice, Edmund, Elizabeth and John. He settled first in Lynn, Massachusetts, early in 1636. Lewis says in his history of Lynn: “this year (1636) many new inhabitants appear in Lynn and among them worthy of note Mr. Edmund Freeman, who presented to the colony twenty corslets or pieces of plate armor.” He was subsequently of the Plymouth Colony and with nine associates was soon recognized by the government as a suitable person to originate a new settlement. He was admitted a freeman, January 2, 1637, at Plymouth and after being a short time a resident of Duxbury, settled in what was incorporated later as the town of Sandwich. Most of the grantees of that town were formerly of Lynn. Freeman had the largest grant and was evidently the foremost man in the enterprise. He was elected an assistant to the governor and commissioner to hear and determine causes within the several contiguous townships. He was one of the first judges of the select court of Plymouth county. During the persecution of the Quakers, he opposed the course of the government and was once fined ten shillings for refusing to aid in the baiting of Friends under pretence of the law. “Preeminently respected, always fixed in principle, and decisive in action, nevertheless quiet and unobtrusive, a counsellor and leader without ambitious ends in view, of uncompromising integrity and of sound judgment, the symmetry of his entire character furnished an example that is a rich legacy to his descendants.” He died in 1682 at the advanced age of ninety-two. His will is dated June 21, 1682, and was offered for probate, November 2, 1682. He was buried on his own land on the hill in the rear of his dwelling house at Sandwich. It is the oldest burial place in the town. His grave and that of his wife are marked by two boulders which he himself placed in position after his wife died, and they are called from a fancied resemblance “the saddle and pillion.” His home was a mile and a quarter west of the town hall and near the junction of the old and new county roads to the Cape. He married Elisabeth _____, who died February 14, 1675-76. Children: Alice, married Deacon William Paddy; Edmund, married Rebecca Prence; Elizabeth, born 1625; John mentioned below; Mary, married Edward Perry.

(II) Major John Freeman, son of Edmund Freeman, was born 1627, and lived in Sandwich until after his marriage, December 30,1649, when he had deeded to him lands at Skauton Neck, in Sandwich, an a few years later removed to Eastham, Massachusetts. here he is mentioned in records as among the earliest settlers, with Governor Prence. He was a large landholder there; in 1676 he bought land in West Brewster from the Indians; in 1691 the town of Eastham conveyed to him two islands as security. He was for many years prominent in public affairs; deputy, 1654-62; selectman, 1663-73; assistant in the government, 1666, and several years, and December 7, 1692, appointed to the bench of common please. He was also prominent in military affairs, and did service in the Indian wars. For many years he was deacon of the Eastham church. His wife was Mercy, daughter of Governor Prence. She died September 28,1711, aged eighty years. He died October 28, 1719. Both were buried in the graveyard at Eastham. His will was dated June 1, 1716, and after providing for his family he mentioned his negroes, to whom he gave freedom with “four acres of land, a horse, and a cow,” and says further in regard to them, “I desire my children to put them in such ways that they may not want.” Children: John, born February 2, 1650, died in infancy; John, December 1651; Thomas, September, 1653; Patience, married, January 31, 1682-83, Lieutenant Samuel Paine; Hannah, married, April 14, 1681, John Mayo; Edmund, mentioned below; Mercy, July, 1659; William, about 1660; Prince, February 3, 1665-66, died young; Nathaniel, March 20, 1670-71; Bennet, March 7, 1672.

(III) Lieutenant Edmund (2) Freeman, son of Major John Freeman, was born in June 1657, died December 10, 1717. He lived in that part of Eastham called Tonset. he was a man of distinction, and for many years selectman of Eastham. He married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Mayo and Tamzin Bumpkin. The latter married (second) ____Sunderland. Sarah survived her husband, and died between March 26, 1736-36, and March 5, 1745, the dates when her will was made and proved. Letters of administration were granted to her and to Isaac, eldest son, February 25, 1718. Children: Ruth, born about 1680;Sarah, married Benjamin Higgins, May 22, 1701; Mary, married, about 1703, Samuel Hinckley; Isaac, married, March 16, 1715-16, Bethiah Sturgis; Ebenezer, mentioned below; Edmund, married (first, April 22, 1725, Lois Paine, (second), September 25, 1729, Sarah Sparrow; Experience, married Thomas Gross; Mercy, married, October 14, 1717. Thomas Cobb, of Eastham; Thankful, married October 16, 1718, Jonathan Snow; Elizabeth, married Isaac Pepper; Hannah, born 1698; Rachel married, October 2, 1729, Thomas Gray.

(IV) Ebenezer, son of Lieutenant Edmund (2) Freeman, settled in that part of Eastham since known as Wellfleet. According to tradition he was the first of the name to settle there.

The line continues through Isaac, Isaac, Isaac, Samuel and Timothy.

Another great family website that contains Freeman information
The surname Freeman is of ancient English origin. The coat-of-arms: Three lozenges, or. Crest: a demi-lion rampant gules, holding between his paws a like lozenge. Motto: Liber et Audax.

Visit the Freeman Farm at old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.

Sources

Benjamin Freeman birth — Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Pg. 27

Josiah Ellsworth, Sr. born November 16, 1629 in Cambridgeshire, England and died August 20, 1706 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. He married November 16, 1654 to Elizabeth Holcombe. Elizabeth was born November 16, 1634 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts and died September 18, 1712 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. Josiah and Elizabeth’s children:

• Josiah Ellsworth Jr born December 5, 1655 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died May 4, 1706 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. He married Martha Thompson Gaylord on October 30, 1679 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. She was born June 24, 1660 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died April 22, 1721 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. Their children:
• Martha Ellsworth born October 1, 1680 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died May 1751 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.
• Josiah Ellsworth, III born March 3, 1690 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.
• Samuel N. Ellsworth, Sr. born July 18, 1697 married Elizabeth Allen (1698-1766) and they had one son, Samuel Ellsworth, Jr. born October 1, 1718 in West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died 1803 in Arlington, Rutland, Vermont. He married Aimee Haliday in 1746. Aimee was born May 6, 1703 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut and died 1778 in Pittsford, Rutland, Vermont.Aimee (or Ann) was the daughter of William Halliday (1677-1764) and Anna Ellis (1675-1764) and the widow of Joshua Mattson (1707-1745). Aimee and Joshua had four children: Lucy, Amy, Isaac, and Joshua Matson. Aimee and Samuel Ellsworth, Jr. had the following children:
  • Caroline Ellsworth born March 13, 1748 in West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died May 12, 1791 in Pittsford, Rutland, Vermont. Caroline married Caleb Hendee Sr (1745-1823) which makes her double related to me through the Ellsworth and Hendee families.
  • Tryphena Ellsworth born August 11, 1750 West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died September 1751 in Simsbury, Hartford, Connecticut.
  • Samuel Ellsworth III born September 23, 1752 in West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died July 18, 1819 in Arlington, Bennington, Vermont. He was married three times to a Bundy, an Irena Parson and also to Elizabeth Ashley. He and Elizabeth had the following children:
  • Eunice Ellsworth born April 27, 1780 in Arlington, Bennington, Vermont and died October 17, 1865 in in Arlington, Bennington, Vermont.
  • Daniel Ellsworth born 1782 and died February 25, 1832.
  • Samuel Ellsworth, IV
  • Israel Haliday Ellsworth born April 1, 1755 in West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died 1834 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He married first to Ann Bennett and second to Hopestill Stevens.
  • Daniel Ellsworth Daniel Ellsworth born July 10, 1757 in West Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died March 3, 1798.
  • Elizabeth Ellsworth born November 11, 1657 and died 1743, married Nathanial Loomis (1656-1733).
  • Thomas Ellsworth born September 2, 1665 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died September 26, 1750 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.

  Elizabeth’s parents were Thomas Holcomb born about 1600 in Hull, Devon, England and died December 7, 1657 in Hartford, Connecticut and his wife, Elizabeth Ferguson. Thomas’s father was Gilbert Holcombe (1565).

  More on the Ellsworth family.

I would like more information on Martha Freeman. Edmund Freeman’s daughter was Elizabeth and she married Lt. John Ellis of Sandwich, MA. That’s a different line but you can’t help but wonder?

Ellis is traditionally a Welsh name. However, they are also included in the Clan Macpherson. To write for more information or to join the Clan, send $20 along with your name, address, date of birth, occupation and telephone number to:

Mrs. Grace M. McPherson
104 Flanders Road
Stonington, CT 06378

Query: Ran across your page while searching for Freeman info. I must ask where you got the info about her father being Ralph. The vital records book for Sturbridge clearly indicates that the Martha born 14 Sep 1757 was twin (with sister Mary) daughter of Samuel Freeman and Mary (elsewhere found to be Mary Chubb of Needham intention to be married to Samuel filed April 20, 1744). Same source confirms Martha’s marriage to Jebediah Ellis on April 28,1774.

I only have copies of the Freeman Sturbridge vital records here, but the book is at the town library. If Jebediah was born in Sturbridge as you say, then there is an excellent chance his parents are given. I’ll have a look.

Martha’s sister Rachel is a direct ancestor of mine.

Dave Welcker, Plymouth, MA

This Ellis DNA Haplogroup is I-Z60 (I1a2a1a1) which originated in Eurasia about 4,300 years ago. Apparently this branch comes from some of the oldest Europeans and later were probably associated with Germanic peoples.