On 27 May 1847, the whaling ship Science returned to New Bedford, Massachusetts after completing an almost three-year voyage to the northwestern coast of the United States.1
The crew of about 40 men took part in this dangerous journey to gather whale blubber and process it into oil. Among them included Black mariner Henry B. Freeman.2
Born circa 1808 at Smithfield, North Carolina, Freeman most likely arrived in New Bedford during the 1830s.3 The earliest record of his New Bedford residence is listed in the 1839 city directory.4 His place of birth indicates that he could have been formerly enslaved, but whether he received manumission before his arrival or merely escaped remains unclear. New Bedford’s ample work opportunities for people of color appealed to many freedom seekers. Some took jobs on whaling ships, as the long expeditions at sea helped in avoiding recapture.
Although we do not know the exact circumstances regarding Freeman’s New Bedford arrival or his decision to join the whaling crew, it is clear that he considered the town a safe place to permanently live. He married Patience Wilcox, originally from Rhode Island, on 1 May 1840, though it appears the two had no children.5 Freeman also participated in at least two other whaling voyages: one aboard the Herald in the late 1830s and another on the Averick in the early 1840s.6 According to the 1860 federal census, he eventually retired from mariner work and found employment as a shoemaker.7
Henry died on 7 February 1871 at his New Bedford home on 61 Spruce Street.8 According to his will, he left his entire estate, including two houses and several rods of land, to his wife. He further stated that he wished to bequeath the estate to his brothers—Needham, Matthew, Harry, Lovett, and Nathan, residents of various counties in North Carolina—in the event of his wife’s death. However, on 20 April 1871, Patience petitioned to the Bristol County Probate Court claiming: “none of said next of kin have been heard from for more than ten years & petitioner knows not whether they are now living or where their places of residence now are.”9 Though it is unclear what became of Henry’s brothers, Patience remained in the New Bedford home she and her husband shared until her death in 1891.10
Notes
1 Henry Lindsey, Whalemen’s Shipping List and Merchants’ Transcript , vol. V no. 13, dated 1 June 1847. Online database: National Maritime Digital Library.
2 Henry H. Crapo, The New Bedford Directory 1845: Containing the Names of the Inhabitants, their Occupations, Places of Business and Dwelling Houses (New Bedford: Press of Benjamin Lindsey, 1845), 92.
“Henry Freeman, Vessel Science,” Whaling Crew List Database, New Bedford Whaling Museum.
3 “Henry B. Freeman,” Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910, vol. 238, page 114. Online database: American Ancestors.
4 Henry H. Crapo, The New Bedford Directory 1839: Containing the Names of the Inhabitants, their Occupations, Places of Business and Dwelling Houses (New Bedford: Press of Benjamin Lindsey, 1839), 74.
5 “Henry Freeman and Patience Wilcox,” Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850 , New Bedford vol. 2, page 208. Online database: American Ancestors.
6 Henry H. Crapo, The New Bedford Directory 1839: Containing the Names of the Inhabitants, their Occupations, Places of Business and Dwelling Houses (New Bedford: Press of Benjamin Lindsey, 1839), 74.
Henry H. Crapo, The New Bedford Directory 1841: Containing the Names of the Inhabitants, their Occupations, Places of Business and Dwelling Houses (New Bedford: Press of Benjamin Lindsey, 1841), 70.
7 Household of Henry B. Freeman, 1860 United States Federal Census , New Bedford Ward 2, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Roll N653_490, page 517. Online database: Ancestry.
8 “Henry B. Freeman,” Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910, vol. 238, page 114. Online database: American Ancestors.
9 “Henry B. Freeman,” Bristol County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1686-1880 , Case no. 9980, page 16. Online database: American Ancestors.
10 The New Bedford 1869 city directory and Henry Freeman’s death record show him living at 61 Spruce Street. Patience B. Freeman, “widow of Henry B.,” is listed at the same address in the 1891 city directory.
W. A. Greenough Jr., Directory of the City of New Bedford for 1869-70 (Boston: Greenough, 1869), 98.
W. A. Greenough & Co., The New Bedford City Directory 1891 (Boston: Greenough & Co., 1891), 209.
“Patience B. Freeman,” Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910, vol. 418, page 218. Online database: American Ancestors.