Question

In early 17th century Massachusetts, who was granted freeman status?

Answer 1

A male who was also a member of the Puritan Church, if free of other obligations (indentured or probationary).

Explanation:

A Freeman was said to be free of all debt, owing nothing to anyone except God Himself.

Freeman is a term which originated in 12th-century Europe and was common as an American Colonial expression in Puritan times. In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a man had to be a member of the Church to be a freeman.

Church membership was not explicitly required in other colonies.