Elizabeth Freeman

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ELIZABETH FREEMAN (MUM BETT)

Enslaved woman who sued for freedom in Massachusetts (Brom and Bett v. Ashley, 1781).

Overview

Known as Mum Bett while enslaved, Elizabeth Freeman sued for her freedom in 1781 alongside another enslaved person, Brom. The case is widely recognized as a landmark challenge to slavery under Massachusetts’s 1780 Constitution.

Quick Facts

Birth: c. 1744 (exact birthplace uncertain in common biographies)
Death: December 28, 1829, Stockbridge, MA
Identity (Race): Black woman
Enslavement Status: Enslaved; won freedom through legal action (1781)
Occupation / Primary Role: Domestic laborer; later nurse and midwife (reported in biographies)
Allegiance / Affiliation: Patriot-era legal change (Massachusetts Constitution)
Military Role / Rank: None
Education: Limited formal education (often described as illiterate; specifics vary)
Religion: Unknown
Spouse / Children: Not securely documented in widely accessible sources
Enslaver: John Ashley (Sheffield, MA)
Did She Enslave Anyone?: No evidence
Language: English

Poster Bullets

Used the Massachusetts Constitution’s “born free and equal” language to challenge slavery.
Won freedom in 1781; contributed to slavery’s end in Massachusetts.
Built a respected life after emancipation (reported in major biographies).

Poster Summary

Freeman’s case shows how Revolutionary principles were tested in court, not just on battlefields.

Why She Matters

Her freedom suit is a clear example of constitutional language being used to dismantle slavery in the North.

What Happened After the War

After gaining freedom, she worked for the Sedgwick family and was remembered for skill and strength. She lived into the 1820s.

QR – Adult Read More

Freeman’s suit turns the Revolution’s ideals into a legal weapon. If “all people are born free and equal,” slavery cannot stand.

The 1781 case (with Brom) helped establish precedents that contributed to the effective end of slavery in Massachusetts by 1783.

Her life after emancipation matters too: she built a livelihood and reputation in a society still shaped by racism.

For Franklin 250, Freeman helps interpret regional contradiction: New Jersey remained a slave state long after Massachusetts dismantled slavery in the 1780s.

QR – Kids

Elizabeth Freeman was enslaved, but she went to court and won her freedom. Her case helped end slavery in Massachusetts.

Something You May Not Know

Her case is linked to the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution.
Courts, not just battles, changed slavery laws in parts of the North.
She is remembered for later work as a nurse and midwife in biographies.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Slavery ended in the North without conflict. Reality: People like Freeman fought in court to make liberty language real.

Connection to Franklin / Somerset / NJ

Her case is a useful contrast for NJ audiences because slavery and gradual abolition followed different paths in New Jersey.

Primary Artifacts & Proof

Mass.gov – Constitution and the Abolition of Slavery: https://www.mass.gov/guides/massachusetts-constitution-and-the-abolition-of-slavery

National Women’s History Museum – Elizabeth Freeman: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/elizabeth-freeman

National Constitution Center – Elizabeth Freeman overview: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/elizabeth-freeman-her-case-for-freedom-and-the-massachusetts-constitution