Individual Details

Walter's headstone reads "Died Sept. 1845, Aged 38 years." Elbridge (formerly Camillus), Onondaga County, New York. First Baptist Church records his baptism as 24 November 1805. The record was transcribed from the original records; further a 2005 existent Bartlett / Freeman family bible records his birth as 12 August 1805 leaving us to understand that perhaps at the time of his death his survivors were unsure of his birth.
Walter and one of his brothers, Darius were both received into the Congregational Church in Brutus, Cayuga County, New York on 18 Mar 1821. The town of Brutus later becomes Sennett, Cayuga County, New York. Membership was suspended on 22 December 1826 probably for their impending relocation.
In 1827, Walter and Darius, were among the first settlers of Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York. Young's History of Chautauqua indicates Clymer was formed from other Chautauqua communities that in March 1827, Darius Freeman and Walter Freeman were among the original purchasers of Township 1, Range 14, Lot 47.
With some controversy and lack of clear understanding, the historical documents record the first marriage in Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York as that of Walter Freeman and Abigail Ross in 1823. The controversy is that the marriage date is probably 1828. Walter purchased his property and 1828 was when his father and family moved to Clymer. The confusion may be of when Clymer became a village, town, township, and city. In any event, given all other dates, it appears the marriage is probably 1828 after the 1827 purchase of land.
The 1830 Census lists Walter as head of household in Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York. The household includes, 1 male between 20 and 30 (Walter), 1 male between 30 and 40 (unknown), 1 female under 5 (unknown), and 1 female between 20 and 30 (Abigail).
The 1835 Census lists Walter as head of household in Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York. The household includes 5 males in family (Walter, Walter Ross, David W., Charles S., unknown), 2 females in family (Abigail, Amy), 1 male qualified to vote (Walter), 1 married female under 45 (Abigail), 1 female under 16 (Amy), and 1 male born during preceding year (Charles S.).
The 1840 Census lists Walter as head of household in Sherman, Chautauqua County, New York. Sherman was formed from Chautauqua in 1832. The household includes, 3 males between 5 and 10 (Walter Ross, David W., Charles Silas), 1 male between 15 and 20 (unknown), 1 male between 30 and 40 (Walter), 2 females under 5 (Amy, Josephine), 1 female between 10 and 15 (unknown), and 1 female between 30 and 40 (Abigail).
Walter died in 1845; presumably at about the time of the family arrival in McHenry County, Illinois as the obituary of his son William, born February 1843, indicates that his family moved to Coral, Illinois at his age of two . His wife and family are in the 1850 Census of Coral, McHenry County, Illinois. Seven children are in the household; Walter Ross, David W., Charles S. Amy, Josephine, William Rodolphus, and Amelia. Census records prior to 1850 with only heads of household listed create problems for researchers at times which is the case of the Walter Freeman family. In 1830 the unknowns could very well be a single father with a daughter related to Walter or Abigail. Although there are numerous explanations for the unknowns listed in the census, other older children of Walter and Abigail should not be ruled out. It should also not be ruled out the documentation of Walter and Rowencia (Rowena) Brown marriage prior to Abigail Ross marriage which could have produced children.

Birth	12 Aug 1805	Brutus, Cayuga County, New York
Baptism	24 Nov 1808	Elbridge, Onondage, New York
Marriage	Abt 1828	Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York - Abigail ROSS
Death	Sep 1845	McHenry County, Illinois
Burial	Sep 1845	Coral Cemetery, Coral, McHenry County, Illinois

Spouse	Abigail ROSS (1805 - 1877)
Child	Walter Ross FREEMAN (1830 - 1882)
Child	David W. FREEMAN (1832 - 1917)
Child	Amy A. FREEMAN (1838 - 1926)
Child	Charles Silas FREEMAN (1835 - 1890)
Child	Josephine L. FREEMAN (1840 - 1884)
Child	William Redolphus FREEMAN (1843 - 1908)

Father	Silas FREEMAN (1775 - 1836)
Mother	Sarah (see note) French (1779 - 1836)
Sibling	Mary (Polly) FREEMAN (1797 - )
Sibling	Hezekiah FREEMAN (1799 - 1801)
Sibling	Olive FREEMAN (1801 - 1872)
Sibling	Darius FREEMAN (1803 - 1874)
Sibling	Hannah FREEMAN (1807 - )
Sibling	Harriet FREEMAN (1810 - 1858)
Sibling	Caroline Sophia FREEMAN (1812 - 1880)
Sibling	Leonard B. FREEMAN (1814 - 1889)
Sibling	Sarah (Sally) Marie FREEMAN (1817 - 1852)
Sibling	Lewis W. FREEMAN (1819 - 1880)
Sibling	John H. FREEMAN (1821 - 1868)
Sibling	Ethan Sheldon FREEMAN (1824 - 1910)

Notes