The records of Freeman of the City of London are kept at the Corporation of London Record Office, Guildhall.
One could become a Freeman through 3* different
avenues:
'Servitude' - after a completed apprenticeship with a City Guild (or
Livery Company);
'Patrimony' - after becoming a member of a Guild and being the son of
a Freeman of the City;
'Redemption' - one bought one's way in.
*This is ignoring the honorary Freedom awarded sometimes to distinguished
people).
Freeman were entitled to call themselves 'Citizen'.
The following limited notes are mine, containing the bare bones of the contents of the Freeman's Records and includes some extracts from Apprenticeship Enrolments.
'son of Francis GANDER of Stanwell, Mdx., tailor, who was apprenticed to Thomas LAYTON Citizen & Cordwainer of London, from 25 Mar 1661 for 7 years, which term with the said Thomas he faithfully completed, as the same Thomas in Court in the prescence of the Warden attested, was Admitted 1668 ('Candlewick Ward'. From a calendar: The original Freedom's Register was burnt in the fire in the Chamber in 1786 & remained as a solid block of parchment till 1957 when an attempt at recovery & repair was undertaken). [Ref F.R.94(c)]
'(Indenture: - Signed 'Samuell Gander') son of Samuel GANDER of the parish of Christ Church, Surrey, Basket Maker, doth put himself apprentice to Richard COCK Citizen & Plummer (sic) of London for 8 years' 29 Jun 1700, Livery Co: Plumbers. [Ref CFI/280]
'(Indenture: 'son of Benjamin GANDER, Citizen & tynnplateworker of London' doth put himself Apprentice to Edward BASSE(?) Citizen & Tinplateworker of London for 8 years' (£40) 17 Nov 1719, Livery Co: Tinplateworkers. [Unable to locate Leonard's signature]. [Ref CFI/472]
'(Indenture signed Timothy GANDAR) son of Benjamin GANDER Citizen & Tinplateworker of London doth put himself Apprentice to George REYNOLDS Citizen & Joiner of London for 7 years (£8) 7 Dec 1714, Livery Co: Joiners [Ref CFI/500]
'son of Benjamin GANDER Citizen & Tinplateworker of London' in said
Company of Tinplateworkers. [Under the above was '43'(?)] [Ref CFI/597]
Among the signators were:
'Leonard GANDAR Tinplateworker
& Timo. GANDAR Joyner'
'(Indenture, signed 'Benjamin GANDAR') - son of Timothy GANDAR of Shadwell
in Co. of Middlesex doth put himself Apprentice to Edward BARLOW, Citizen
& Cordwainer of London for 7 years 5 Sep 1739'.
On the back of the Indenture it says: 'To be turned over to Richard Harper,
Citizen & Founder of London - inrolled 4 Dec 1740 by consent of parties'.
[Ref CFI/716].
'Son of Leonard GANDER Citizen & Tinplateworker - father already admitted to Freedom 10 Apr 1727'. [Ref CFI/739].
'Son of Leonard GANDER Citizen & Tinplateworker of London who was admitted Feb 1749/50'. [Ref CFI/848].
'Son of Leonard GANDER Citizen & Tinplateworker of London who was admitted as a Freeman in 1727'. [Ref CFI/907].
'Son of Leonard GANDAR late Citizen & Tinplateworker of London deceased, doth put himself Apprentice to John MEAD Citizen & Cordwainer for 7 years (£20) 6 Jun 1759' Signed 'John GANDAR' [Ref CFI/935].
'Son of Benjamin GANDAR of St.Paul, Shadwell, Mdx, Shoemaker'. Indenture (dated 5 Jun 1771): 'doth put himself Apprentice to Benjamin GANDAR Citizen & Cordwainer of London ... Signed Benj. GANDAR'. [Ref CFI/1142].
'Son of John GANDAR Citizen & Cordwainer now by Act of Commonr. Council,
Tyler & Brickr. came before the chamberlain ... and desired to be admitted
in the Freedom of this city'.
- baptism details were attached:
'William GANDAR son of John & Mary, born 9 Apr, baptised 1 May 1774
Parish Church of Islington' [Ref CFI/1295].
'Sworn & made free - for 46s-8d'. [Ref CFI/1299].