Every three months a list of seamen was sent to the Secretary of State, Washington, D.C. stating each seaman's age and physical description. This rhyme was written by Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale of Boston, editor of the widely read Ladies Magazine. She was also the editor of Juvenile Miscellany. When she was told of a true story, which a pet lamb followed its young owner into a country schoolhouse, she composed the rhyme and published it in September-October 1830 issue of the children's magazine. It is regarded as the best four lines of verse in the English language.
Freeman is a designation once used to mean an unmarried man.
Domestic once meant a housewife, not necessarily a servant. Housekeeper would mean a property owner, male or female. Mrs. or Mistress with a woman's name usually meant she was a wealthy woman, and that was the proper way to address her. Mr. or Mister was used only for a man of wealth, or one who was educated. A retired man might have been referred to as a gentleman.