Elizabeth Freeman, known familiarly as Mum Bett, was born into slavery about 1744. She was married, but unfortunately, he disappeared in the Revolutionary war. No records have been found of him after, so his fate is uncertain. Upon hearing someone read out the newly created Massachusetts Constitution, Mum Bett sought the help of a lawyer in the area, Theodore Sedgewick, who helped her sue for freedom in court, along with a second Black man enslaved by her owners, the Ashleys. Sedgewick argued that the newly created state constitution effectively ended slavery in Massachusetts. In the end, the court agreed, and awarded Mum Bett and her fellow complainant thirty shillings. This decision basically ended slavery in the state. On her death in 1829, the Sedgewicks buried her in their family plot.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Elizabeth Freeman
- History: Meet Elizabeth Freeman, the First Enslaved Woman to Sue for Her Freedom—and Win
- Mum Bett and the Freedom Suit
- Little Known Black History Fact: Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman
- Elizabeth Freeman, Illiterate Slave, Wins Freedom and Honor
- The Slave Who Sued for Freedom
- Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett)
- #In Context: Mum Bett
- Elizabeth Freeman
- Bett’s Story….or how slavery ended in Massachusetts
- Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett)
- Elizabeth Freeman
- Jury Decides in Favor of Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman
A much more positive story than those I've written about before this, but keep in mind, if Mum Bett hadn't chosen to try to sue for freedom, it likely would have continued for a much longer period of time, possibly even beyond her death. She's definitely an amazing lady, and a very important part of Black history in the US.
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