Hi Fred and other researchers, Freeman's Oath: Becoming a freeman in Puritan New England originally meant becoming a member in good standing of the local church -- in turn meaning that a man had to demonstrate persuasively that he was one of the "elect" (a Calvinist concept essentially meaning that he was predestined to go to Heaven). Then he was inducted as a freeman, meaning he could vote in town meetings and elections. The oath essentially was a swearing of allegiance to the colony. Mass Bay Colony (and to a lesser extent Conn Colony) were theocracies, except that clegymen generally did not hold civil offices. "The Freeman's Oath" was the first paper printed in New England. It was printed at Cambridge by Stephen Daye in 1639, upon a single sheet, in the form of a handbill and without date." "The Oath was in these words as established in 1634" in Massachusetts: " I, _____, being by God's providence, an Inhabitant and Freeman within the Jurisdiction of this Commonwealth: do freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the Government thereof: And therefore do here swear by the great and dreadful Name of the Ever-living God, that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto, with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound! and will also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome Laws and Orders made and established by the same. And further that I will not plot or practice any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so do; but will timely discover and reveal the same to the lawful Authority now here established for the speedy preventing thereof. "Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God that when I shall be called to give my voyce touching any matter of this State in which Freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce to tend to the public weal of the body. So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ." Posted by Jan Jordan