Ann Freeman

Ann Freeman (née Mason; 24 June 1797 – 7 March 1826) was a British Bible Christian preacher.

Life Freeman was born on 24 June 1797 in Northlew in Devon. Her parents, William and Grace Mason, were farmers and she was one of thirteen children brought up in Devon where she was apprenticed to be a dressmaker. Her family moved to a farm in Northcott in Sutcombe where she and her sister Mary's religious interests caused a family dispute.

Women like Ann, her sister and Serena Lake made up 30% of the Bible Christians preachers, but despite this Ann and her sister attracted interest because they were women. Ann was confident and argued theological points with her movement's founder William O'Bryan when she met him She argued that Christians could find instantaneous redemption despite the prevailing view that this was gradually earned. Moreover, she argued that believers could be guided directly by God - which undermined the Church's hierarchy including O'Bryan. Her letters, poems and journal were edited and published by her husband after she died.