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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Mr. James Freeman

Mr. James Freeman . of “Abbotsroyd.” Green Island, is the third son of the late Mr. William Freeman, a farmer of Yorkshire. England. Mr. Freeman, senior, came to Dunedin, accompanied by his wife and a family of seven children, in the ship “Nour-mahal,” in 1858. He first lived at Kaikorai, and subsequently purchased land which forms a portion of Mr. James Freeman's present estate. Mr. W. Freeman died in 1877, aged sixty-five; Mrs Freeman surviving him until 1880. Mr. James Freeman, like all the successful pioneers, took the first employment that offered after his arrival in the young colony, and, on the breaking out of the gold diggings, he started for Gabriel's Gully, where he was fairly successful during the
Mr. J. Freeman.

Mr. J. Freeman.

twelve months of his residence. He then returned to Abbotsroyd farm, where he worked for his father. Later on he worked with a contractor, but returned again to his father's farm in 1864. A large seam of coal was discovered by him on his father's property, and after various difficulties had been overcome, it was thoroughly opened up; and was worked successfully by Mr. Freeman from 1872 till 1891, when he retired, and gave the active management of the pit to his son. Mr. Freeman now carries on extensive farming operations at “Abbotsroyd.” He has never taken much part in local affairs, though for a short time he had a seat on the Kai-korai road board. He was one of the pioneers of the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association. of which he was Managing Director for about two years, but resigned through ill-health. He has also taken much interest in church matters, and was church officer and treasurer at the Anglican Church, Green Island, for several years. Mr. Freeman married in 1869, and has two sons and one daughter.