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Blacks Law Dictionary, 1st Edition, page 520:
FREEMAN. This word has had various meanings at the different stages of history. In the Roman law, it denoted one who was either born free or emancipated, and was the opposite of “slave.”
In feudal law, it designated an allodial proprietor, as distinguished from. vassal or feudal tenant.
In English law, the word described a freeholder or tenant by free services; one who was not villein. In modern legal phraseology, it is the appellation of a member of a city or borough having the right of suffrage, or a member of any municipal corporation invested with civic rights.
A person in the possession and enjoyment of all civil and political rights accorded to the people under a free government.
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