James Stuart Freeman

James Stuart Freeman was secretary to Capt. William Hobson, RN (1792-1842), first governor of New Zealand. Freeman, Hobson and James Busby (1802-1871 - first ‘British Resident’ of New Zealand) co-authored the Treaty of Waitangi - Debbie McCauley.

Freemans Bay in Auckland, New Zealand, was possibly named after Freeman who is said to have lived in the area: "The present day name for the bay has several explanations; one refers to Governor Hobson's secretary, James Stuart Freeman who lived in the bay, the other is a reference to the free settlers living there" Source: https://www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz/getmedia/3bf3113c-3a19-47c1-83...

DEATH OF MR. FREEMAN.—Our obituary of to-day announces the death of Mr. James Stuart Freeman of this town, who was suddenly snatched from existence yesterday morning by a fit of serious apoplexy, of which he had suffered two previous attacks. For some time previous to his demise it was clear to his friends that his system was breaking up, and that his sojourn in this world was nearly at an end, but few suspected that his death was so close at hand. As the unfortunate gentleman has held public appointments of considerable trust and responsibility, a few words in reference to his career may not be deemed out of place. The subject of this notice was tho son of Dr. Freeman, Rector of Ryegate, Sussex, who, after receiving the rudiments of a classical education, was sent to Eton. He subsequently graduated at Oxford, and upon leaving college, visited France, where he remained six years. Although educated for the Church, his tastes led him to prefer secular pursuits, and he emigrated to this colony, under the patronage of the late Bishop Broughton, through whose influence he obtained an appointment in tho Colonial Secretary's office, where he remained until the arrival of Captain Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand, whom he accompanied to the newly-founded colony, and was appointed chief clerk in the Colonial Secretary's office, which was at that time conducted by Mr. Shortland. Upon the resignation of the latter gentleman, Mr. Freeman succeeded him as Colonial Secretary, but held tho office only a few days. A misunderstanding with Captain FitzRoy induced him to resign his situation, when he returned to Sydney, and adopted the profession of teacher, which he pursued in different portions of the colony, with varied success, to the close of his career, which was latterly darkened by misfortune and pecuniary difficulties. Mr. Freeman has left behind him a son and daughter, both of tender years, who will be received into the families of respectable friends residing in Bathurst.—Bathurst Free Press.Source: The Argus (4 August 1855) http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4814185?searchTerm=%22jam...

Freeman was described by Dr John Logan Campbell in 1844 as "the most disgustingly immoral swindling scoundrel in town". Local gossip had it that he was not actually married to the woman he was living with, or that there was something amiss in her past. She apparently had been on intimate terms with Mrs Hobson and others in the Government House circle but after William Hobson's death in 1842 and Mrs Hobson's return to Britain she found herself shut out of genteel society in Auckland. This pained Eleanor Freeman enormously and enraged her husband. Living in a workers cottage on the wrong side of town certainly couldn't have helped her social status. After Eleanor's early death at the age of 26 on 17 December 1844 Freeman added to the wagging tongues by remarrying just six weeks later. After his marriage to Mary Ann Miller on 29 January 1845 the Freemans left New Zealand. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemans_Bay