Thomas Freeman had a national reputation for precision and trustworthiness. He was a government surveyor, civil - topographical engineer and astronomer during the formative period of the Republic. Freeman was an Irish immigrant who caught the attention of master surveyor George Washington and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. As a result Freeman had a significant role in laying out the District of Columbia. Freeman was engaged in 1808 as the chief surveyor of the Mississippi Territory.[1] 

George Washington was an avid land surveyor throughout his life.  Washington was naturally suited to the challenges presented by laying lines and charting tracts in the Virginia back country. Surveying was a profession that presented the promise of social and financial advancement. At one time Washington owned nearly 70,000 acres. He continued to survey until November 5, 1799,  five weeks before his death.[2]                               

Washington's decisive involvement in the French and Indian War, in which he served as lieutenant colonel of the newly formed Virginia Regiment, was due in part to the back country knowledge and map-making skills he had gained from surveying. He gained an understanding of overall strategy, especially in locating strategic geographical points. 

Some of our greatest frontiersmen were surveyors, including George Washington and Daniel Boone, probably the most famous frontiersman of them all. Frontier surveyors found the job dangerous but lucrative.  Irishman Thomas Freeman became a very important and successful surveyor in a young America. Another Irish surveyor who was a friend of Thomas Freeman was United Irishman Nicholas Gray. His son Nicholas Jr. was also an accomplished surveyor.  Nicholas Gray Jr,  was the chief clerk in the office of Thomas Freeman, when he was the Surveyor General South of Tennessee.

The work of Thomas Freeman is still recognized for its accuracy and thoroughness.  As one of the pioneers in the field of surveying the public domain, he aided in establishing policies and procedures which were latter incorporated into printed manuals distributed by the General Land Office of the United States.[3] 

Freeman left no direct descendants and made no effort to preserve his personal papers. No portrait has been found. There has been very little recorded about Freeman's family background, education, and personal life. He came from Ireland to the United States in 1784 and settled in the western part of Pennsylvania in the Red Stone Creek area. While on a tour of his western properties General George Washington recorded in his diary on September 17, 1784, that he had "agreed this day with Major Thomas Freeman to superintend my business over the mountains, upon terms to be inserted in his instructions,"[4]  

The letter below is from George Washington to Thomas Freeman,  September 23, 1784

[23 September 1784]

Sir,

The situation of my affairs on the Western Waters in the State of Pennsylvania & Virginia, requiring a Superintendent; & you having been pleased to accept the appointment, I must beg leave to point out to you the performance of such duties as are particularly necessary.

These will be to settle Tenants upon my Land; collect the rents which will arise therefrom—the Debts which will proceed from the sale of my copartnership effects—such others as may be due to me from persons living as above; and in general, to act & do (where no particular instruction is given) in the same manner as you would for yourself under like circumstances; endeavouring in all cases by fair & lawful means to promote my interest in this Country.[5] 

signed George Washington                      

Thomas Jefferson, America’s 3rd president in 1773 was hired as a surveyor in Virginia. Jefferson came from a land surveying family as his father, Peter Jefferson was called the “land surveyor for the crown". Thomas Jefferson was the vision behind the Lewis and Clark expedition and promoted surveying during this exploration through the Louisiana Purchase.

President Thomas Jefferson wanted to know what the Louisiana Purchase really was and could be. In August 1803, he sent Lewis and Clark on a mission from St. Louis. For a second trip the president chose Thomas Freeman, a proven surveyor/naturalist, as the leader. This group left from Natchez in April 1806, before the first returned. Successful scientifically, the trip was interrupted by Spanish Military 615 miles upriver, just west of Texarkana, after the Spaniards were tipped about the trip. The Spaniards had not settled on what land they still owned.[6] 

After visiting Jefferson for dinner,  Thomas Freeman was selected to lead the expedition.  Thomas Jefferson states that  Freeman is to me, the most exciting man in early Huntsville.

Thomas Jefferson Instructions to Thomas Freeman

To Thomas Freeman, Esquire     April 14th, 1804

The government of the U.S. being desirous of informing itself of the extent of the country lately ceded to them under the name of Louisiana, to have the same with its principal rivers, geographically delineated, to learn the character of its soil, climate, productions, & inhabitants, you are appointed to explore.

Doctor. George Hunter of Philadelphia will accompany you, as a fellow labourer & counsellor in the same service, while the ultimate direction of the expedition is left to yourself. He is to make observations, to note courses and to enquire into the same subjects recommended to you.  Should the accident of death happen to you, he is to succeed to the direction of the expedition, and to all the powers which you possess. Should he also die, the officer attending you, & subject to your orders, will immediately return with his party in the way he shall deem best bringing the papers & other effects belong to the mission. 

Given under my hand and seal at Monticello this 14th day of April 1804 [7]

signed Thomas Jefferson

In 1810, Thomas Freeman became the Surveyor General South of  Tennessee.  George Washington had appointed him to survey the boundary line between the United States and Spanish Florida.  Freeman served until his death in 1821 and gave stability to a district.

In a vast wilderness where no man knew much about the lands, no one knew more than the surveyors. It was not surprising that most surveyors connected themselves in one way or another with the buying and selling of lands. Surveyors had to hire several hands, chairmen, foresters to cut down brush and timber along the line of survey, and a hunter to provide meat, the occupation was lucrative to who would work long hours under difficult conditions.[8] 

The Surveyor general, Thomas Freeman, was a man of technical skill and administrative competence. Surveying such an area was dangerous work. There was the problems of high water, difficult terrain, and complex private claims. Freeman added the pirates of the Southwest included a variety of freebooters, pirates and bandits prospered. Freeman described one band of more than five hundred men that counted among its equipment half a dozen armed vessels.[9]

Thomas Freeman, the Surveyor General South of Tennessee, considered that the large number of militant intruders in his district threatened orderly public sales. He thought that even if the lands in the district west of Pearl River could be marketed, the sales “cannot with safety, or propriety, be opened and conducted in that District. It is very evident to me that no gentleman would be safe in that District who would bid for, or purchase any of the squatters’ settlements.”[10]

The following is taken from "Territorial Papers of the United States by Carter Vol VI  Mississippi"   

Thomas Freeman to Josiah Meigs, commissioner of the General Land Office of the United States, at Washington.  St Stephens April12th, 1816

I have written to General Andrew Jackson who is now in Orleans informing  him of the time and place we should commence our labours, requesting his timely assistance and protection for the Surveyors.

There has been Murders and Robberies in the tract of country we shall be employed in. Our Surveyors will be incapable of protecting themselves. t The Indians are embittered for the loss of their country and no doubt eager for revenge. If a Regiment were necessary to protect the running of the bound line adjoining the friendly Creeks.

signed Thomas Freeman

Nicholas Gray writes on April 29, 1816  from Washington, Mississippi Territory and reports to Brig. General Parker that General Andrew Jackson is in good health. " General Jackson was through here on the 25th, on his way to Nashville from New Orleans in good health."  [General Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837] 

United Irishman Nicholas Gray, was a friend of Thomas Freeman. Nicholas Gray was also a surveyor and engineer. Gray was appointed register of the land office in the Mississippi Territory, March 30, 1815. 

 Nicholas Gray was assigned to the district west of Pearl River, with its land office at Washington, near Natchez. Surveyor General Thomas Freeman advises Gray to follow the advice of the more experienced Receiver of Public Monies, on October 6, 1815. There was a disagreement at the land auction that took place at the West of Pearl office.[11]

On November 24th, 1821 , Nicholas Gray Jr, chief clerk in the office of the Surveyor General South of Tennessee , wrote to the Commissioner of the General Land Office Josiah Meigs,  that he had the melancholy task of informing him of the death of Major Thomas Freeman. signed Nicholas Gray [12]

Natchez, December 26, 1923

I certify that I was employed by Thomas Freeman, esq. late surveyor of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee, as clerk in his office, before the month of May, 1821, and that I continued to perform the duties of clerk in the surveyor's office until the month of April, 1822.

signed Nicholas Gray Jr. [13] 

Natchez Gazette

Natchez, Mississippi • Sat, Nov 24, 1821

At Huntsville, [Alabama], on the 8th inst. Major Thomas Freeman, of Washington, Mississippi, Surveyor General of Public Lands South of Tennessee. The death of this gentleman will be deeply lamented by the society in which he moved. The urbanity of his manner, the amiability of his disposition, and the honorable uprightness of his deportment, endeared him to all his acquaintances. To the country the loss is most serious; for few men are to be found who are as well qualified to fill the important office which he held-scientific judicious. The most persevering industry and rigid integrity, were the strongest traits of his public character, and enabled him to afford the highest degree of usefulness---Republican.[14]

Irish Surveyor Nicholas Gray Jr.: The California Gold Rush

Nicholas Gray: Irish Rebel - War of 1812 - Land Office

United Irishman Nicholas Gray: Mississippi Territory -- 'Believe Me, Sir, I Fear No Man' Part 1

United Irishman Nicholas Gray: Mississippi Territory "Believe me Sir, I fear no man" [Part -2]

1. Huntsville History Collection

2. Surveying George Washington Presidential Library

3. Frances C. Roberts: Thomas Freeman, Surveyor

4. Frances C. Roberts: Thomas Freeman, Surveyor

5. National Archives  Founders Online

6. Huntsville Historical Review Volume 46

7. The Library of Congress

8.The Land Office Business by Malcolm J. Rohrbough

9.The Land Office Business by Malcolm J. Rohrbough

10. The Land Office Business by Malcolm J. Rohrbough

11. The Land Office Business by Malcolm J. Rohrbough

12. American State Papers

13. American State Papers

14. Natchez Gazette