There is a discussion on a Lancashire list about the origin of an area of Bury called Freetown. The earliest newspaper reference that I have found is 1811. Manchester Mercury - Tuesday 12 March 1811 Lot 2 - The bankrupt's estate, right, title and interest of and in a house, situate at Free-Town within the parish of Bury aforesaid, the purchaser of this lot to be subject to all rules, orders, regulations, conditions and agreements now or hereafter to be made by the subscribers to the building of a certain number of houses at Free-Town aforesaid, and after the whole houses at Free-Town aforesaid are built, the purchaser may have a lease at his own expense, for the of 900 years and upwards, subject a small yearly rent. I wonder if anyone has come across similar areas elsewhere and if anyone has any ideas on what they were. I am wondering if it was some sort of early version of various schemes used now to encourage development in an area.