James Freeman, an American clergyman, born in Charlestown, Mass., April 22, 1759, died in Newton, Nov. 14, 1835. After graduating at Harvard college in 1777, he went to Quebec, returned to Boston in 1782, and became reader at the King's chapel in Boston, an Episcopal church. Becoming Unitarian in his views, he induced the society to alter their prayer book in 1785, and in 1787 he was ordained by his own wardens and people by a peculiar service. He continued rector of King's chapel for 48 years, till his death. He was one of the founders of the Massachusetts historical society, and was the first minister in the United States who openly assumed the name of Unitarian, while through his means the first Episcopal church in New England became the first Unitarian church in America. A volume of his Sermons and Charges was published in 1832.