Individuals who were freemen in Massachusetts during the 1600's, and the Freeman's Oath, which was the first paper printed in New England. In order to exercise the right of suffrage, or hold a public office, an individual must be made a freeman by the general court, by producing evidence that he was a respectable member of a Congregational church. By 1826, three-fourths of the inhabitants of the six New England states were descendants of Freemen, making this database of particular interest to those with ancestors from New England.

Bibliography: Paige, Lucius R. "List of Freemen," New England Historical and Genealogical Register. vol. 3, 1849.