[Portrait of Rev. Barnardus Freerman (1x | 4x)]
Dominie Freerman, the second minister of the church, was born at Gilhuis, Holland, and came over with Dominie Lydius in 1700. After remaining here five years, he removed to Flatbush, where he died in 1741.
He married Margarita Van Schaaick, of New York, in 1705, and left one daughter, who married a son of Secretary Clarkson, whose descendants are still found in Flatbush and vicinity.
Dominie Freerman was accounted a good Indian linguist, and with the help of Laurens Claase Van der Volgen, translated a part of the prayer book and portions of the Scriptures, into the Mohawk language; he baptized many of the natives during his ministry at Schenectady. As missionary of the Mohawks he received a salary from the Provincial Government, of 60 pounds and 15 pounds for expenses. (112-2)
Notes
(112-1) Commonly written Freeman; all his autograph signatures that have come under the compiler's notice, are spelled as above. [In the facsimile signature appended to the cut, it will be seen that he signs without the r. — M'M].
(112-2) Col. MSS., XLV, 179.