Thomas Freeman

Thomas Freeman (fl. 1655–1680) was an English buccaneer and pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for attacking the Spanish alongside Henry Morgan, David Marteen, and John Morris.

History

Freeman arrived on Jamaica in 1655 as part of Oliver Cromwell's invasion force, remaining there for the next several years. Freeman obtained a privateering commission against the Spanish from Lord Windsor, the Governor of Jamaica, and may have used it to join Christopher Myngs’ sack of Santiago de Cuba and Campeche in 1662-1663.

In 1664 he joined with John Morris, Henry Morgan, David Marteen, and Jacob Fackman to raid the Mexican outposts of Tabasco and Villahermosa. Their ships were seized by the Spanish while the buccaneers were ashore. After they captured a few Spanish ships they looted their way through Honduras and Nicaragua, where they captured Granada with the help of native tribes.

Freeman used the proceeds from the raids to purchase a tavern in Port Royal. He later became a Colonel with the Jamaican militia and joined the Jamaican Council alongside future Governor Hender Molesworth and the recently knighted Henry Morgan.