James Freeman (clergyman)

James Freeman (April 22, 1759 – November 14, 1835)[2] was an American Unitarian clergyman and writer, "noteworthy as the first avowed preacher of Unitarianism in the United States".[3]

For the Episcopal bishop, see James E. Freeman. For other people, see James Freeman.

James Freeman
BornApril 22, 1759
Charleston, Massachusetts
DiedNovember 14, 1835
Newton, Massachusetts, US[1]
Known for"first avowed preacher of Unitarianism" in the US
ChurchUnitarian
Ordained1787
Congregations served
King's Chapel

He was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard in 1777, and in 1782 became a reader at King's Chapel in Boston.[1] Soon he became a Unitarian, and in 1785 the people of his church altered their Book of Common Prayer in accordance with his views and became the first Unitarian church in the United States.[3] He was ordained (1787) by his own congregation, since the Episcopalian Church refused to ordain him, and remained rector of King's Chapel for 39 years until his retirement in 1826.[1] In 1811 he received the degree of D. D. from the University of Cambridge.

He was a scholarly and philanthropic man and was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Historical Society.[1]

References
  1. "James Freeman to Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1816". National Archives. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  2. "Freeman, James, 1759-1835". Dartmouth Library. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  3. "Freeman, James (1759-1835)". Harvard Square Library. Retrieved September 8, 2021.

Further reading
  • Sketch in Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections, 3d series, volume v, (Boston, 1836).
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