Freshfield was a JP for Sussex, Middlesex, the City of London and Surrey, and he became High Sheriff of Surrey for 1850. He was Deputy Lieutenant for Middlesex and Surrey and Chairman of the East Quarter sessions in Surrey. In 1852, he chaired a dinner at the Spread Eagle, Epsom on the foundation of Epsom College, and was described as a firm friend of the school. He was also sometime Joint Treasurer of the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy. As well as being Solicitor to the Bank of England for 20 years from 1820 to 1840, he also acted for many of the great dock and other commercial companies in London. He was connected with mining and agricultural interests in South America. He died at the age of 90 years.