  We give a definition of some classes of boolean algebras generalizing free
boolean algebras; they satisfy a universal property that certain functions
extend to homomorphisms. We give a combinatorial property of generating sets of
these algebras, which we call n-independent. The properties of these classes
(n-free and omega-free boolean algebras) are investigated. These include
connections to hypergraph theory and cardinal invariants on these algebras.
Related cardinal functions, $n$Ind, which is the supremum of the cardinalities
of n-independent subsets; i_n, the minimum size of a maximal n-independent
subset; and i_omega, the minimum size of an omega-independent subset, are
introduced and investigated. The values of i_n and i_omega on P(omega)/fin are
shown to be independent of ZFC.
