18C "Freeman" of Prestwich-cum-Oldham?

My great-aunt's old-age memories of the origins of the family, passed
on to her sister-in-law in the 1950s, included her grandmother Sarah
Faith (born in Worsley around 1806 according to censuses) as the
daughter of a man who was at one time "a Freeman of Preston", and
whose family lived some time at "The Skull House, Worsley".

Some years ago, my father asked Preston, and was told there had never
been a Freeman named Faith.

In the 1841 census, Sarah is with her husband (born Saddleworth) and
child in Dukenfield. He is an overlooker (cotton weaving).

Looking in the 1841 census for male Faiths in an age range appropriate
for Sarah's father, I found Charles Faith living in
Prestwich-cum-Oldham.

The Prestwich part of Prestwich-cum-Oldham is not that far from
Worsley. and I have started to wonder whether there had been an 18C
(or early 19C) position in Prestwich-cum-Oldham whose title might have
changed to "Freeman" in people's minds as they "told the tale".

A. Gwilliam...

Perhaps it was something as simple as his having been eligible to
vote?!

myths...

Could be. I hadn't thought of checking for poll books (doh!!!) -
thank you.