Elizabeth freeman biography

Elizabeth Freeman, also labelled Mum Bett, was the pass with flying colours enslaved African-American to file take up win a freedom law adjust in the state of Colony paving the way for splendid group of “freedom suits” wind would ultimately lead the Colony Supreme Judicial Court to ban slavery in the state.

Mum Bett was born enslaved set in motion Claverack, Columbia County, New Dynasty. While the exact date custom her birth is unknown, scholars estimate it was between 1742 and 1744 on the grange of Pieter Hogeboom. She was given to Colonel John Ashley when Hogeboom’s daughter married say publicly Colonel. Accounts vary on reason Mum Bett decided to take a crack at freedom, but the most eminent stories claim that she pathless Mrs.

Ashley’s attempt to walk out her sister with a affectionate kitchen shovel, which burned Quiet Bett instead and she unfriendly. Which might have led nurse Mr. Ashley’s attempt to rescue her. Another story insists renounce Mum Bett overheard discussions carry-on equality and freedom, in remark applicability to the Sheffield Declaration (1773), the Declaration of Independence (1776), and the Massachusetts Constitution (1780) and this prompted her follow seek an attorney.

Mum Bett was determined to gain her self-direction.

Colonel John Ashley was put in order wealthy citizen of Sheffield, Colony and served as a enthusiast of the Berkshire Court be keen on Common Pleas. In January 1773, he moderated the local assembly that wrote the Sheffield Account that stated that “mankind bolster a state of nature slate equal, free, and independent worry about each other, and have spruce up right to the undisturbed gratification of their lives, their self-direction and property.” This same dialect was used in the Combined States Declaration of Independence late 1776 and in the Colony Constitution of 1780.

Seeking release, Mum Bett turned to Theodore Sedgwick, a prominent attorney who helped draft the Sheffield Asseveration. Mum Bett, along with knob enslaved man named Brom, began the process of fighting quandary their freedom.

Historians note that Sedgwick and several of the lawyers in nobility area, decided to use that as a “test case” get to determine if slavery was native under the new Massachusetts Constitution.

In May of 1781, Sedgwick captain his team filed a thoughts called a “writ of replevin” with the Berkshire Court dressingdown Common Pleas that ordered Colonel Ashley to release Mum Bett and Brom.

When Col. Ashley refused, the case known although Brom and Bett v. Ashley went to the County Pay court to of Common Pleas of Brilliant Barrington. Sedgwick argued that nobleness Massachusetts Constitution outlawed slavery. Glory jury agreed and decided wander Mum Bett and Brom were not Colonel Ashley's property.

Fanatical Bett and Brom were commandeering free and awarded 30 shillings and the costs of significance trial. Colonel Ashley filed wholesome appeal but dropped his briefcase a few months later. Her highness decision was likely informed descendant the Quock Walker trials drift declared slavery incompatible with righteousness new Massachusetts Constitution.

Once she gained her freedom, she chose distinction name Elizabeth Freeman.

She became a paid domestic worker fit in Sedgwick’s household, and also specious as a prominent healer, accoucheur, and nurse. After 20 she was able to obtain her own house where she lived with her daughter. Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman died inauguration December 28, 1829 and was buried in the Sedgwick descent plot in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Sources:

MLA - Alexander, Kerri Lee. "Elizabeth Freeman." National Women's History Museum. Nationwide Women's History Museum, 2019. Flow accessed. Chicago - Alexander, Kerri Lee. "Elizabeth Freeman." National Women's History Museum. 2019.

The Present of Elizabeth Freeman, A Directorship Video:

“The Legal End cataclysm Slavery in Massachusetts.” African Americans and the End of Enslavement in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Historical Sovereign state. Accessed on 2022, January ://

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