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In 1633/4, Edmund Freeman found it necessary to pursue a court action re the inherited Hodsoll's lands and tenements. This legal action led to the identification in court records of the baptismal dates of his children, which had been in the Parish records of St Mary's Parish Church in Billingshurst. Yes, there was a St Mary's Parish Church in Pulborough and also a St Mary's Parish Church in Billingshurst. Pictures of both Parish churches are in a prior section of this publication. Fortunately, as a result of this legal action, the dates of these baptisms was on the public record because the Billingshurst Parish records for this period are no longer in existence.

During our two day visit in Pulborough, Billingshurst, and Cowfold in May 1992, we noted the nature of the South Downs where they are located. Peaceful, bucolic, colorful, well tended: that's our feeling about the area. Billingshurst is just nine miles directly north of Pulborough on Stane Street, aka London Road. Directly east of Billingshurst, about ten miles is Cowfold. These distances mean relatively little to us nowadays, but back: in the 1600's they were significant. But the Freeman Family did move around-as they have generation by generation from this period to the present time of November 1994.

Nancy Jean's "Travel Diary" for this visit indicates some of the current conditions which explain the background of the area. "May 20 (1992). Picked up our rented Metro and took off (from Gatwick airport) to drive 15 miles to Pulborough. After 65 miles (we missed a turnoff) we found it! We had been every direction and if you go one way it's going to be awhile before you turn around! Beautiful green country-side and the hotel (i.e.. Chequers, across the street from St. Mary's/Pulborough) is so quaint! We got the four-poster room pictured in the brochure. We are tired-it's been a long 24 hours. We have been across the street to St. Mary's Church-very interesting. We will go back tomorrow."

May 21st. "Had breakfast downstairs. Very good. Bacon, sausage, poached egg, juice and coffee. Ray had cold ham and poached egg. We took off and went to Billingshurst-saw St. Mary's Virgin Church (Met the man from Liverpool); then went to Cowfold-saw St Peter's Church. Went to Storington and had fish and chips for lunch. Really good. Got my owl sweater. Came back and visited with Mary Dennis Smith (Historian) at St Mary's Church (i.e., Pulborough) and walked down the lane for her to show us the "Old Place" and "Mill House". Had to go potty in Storington. It was a public stall with revolving door that a lady at the bus stop had to help me figure out 10 pence (in English money). Went downstairs (at Chequers Hotel). I had steak. Ray had chicken, noodles. Our stay has really been special. Love the four poster bed."

In Freeman Family Genealogy by Frederick Freeman, published 1875, he says It has been said...of those generally 'who left England for the New World in the west from 1620 to 1660, that "they were staunch supporters of the rights of the people, and with them departed the very heart of England's manhood".

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