Born: 1744 (Claverack, New York)
Died: 1829
Biography:
Elizabeth Freeman (c. 1744 – December 28, 1829), also known as Bet, Mum Bett, or MumBet, was the first enslaved African American to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts. Her courageous fight for freedom and the subsequent ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court marked a significant milestone in the struggle for emancipation and the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Born into slavery around 1744 on Pieter Hogeboom’s farm in Claverack, New York, Freeman was given the name Bet. When Hogeboom’s daughter Hannah married John Ashley of Sheffield, Massachusetts, Freeman, at the age of seven, was gifted to the newly married couple. For nearly four decades, she remained under their ownership, experiencing the hardships and injustices perpetuated by the institution of slavery.
Throughout her life, Freeman demonstrated an indomitable spirit and a strong sense of self. Her determination to stand up against injustice was evident when she prevented Hannah Ashley from striking a servant girl with a heated shovel. In protecting the girl, Freeman suffered a deep wound to her arm. As her arm healed, she purposefully left the wound uncovered as a reminder and evidence of the harsh treatment she endured.
Freeman’s desire for freedom only grew stronger over time, and she sought a way to challenge the legality of her enslavement. In 1780, inspired by the newly ratified Massachusetts State Constitution, which declared that all men are born free and equal, Freeman decided to take action. With the assistance of Theodore Sedgwick, a young lawyer and friend of the Ashley family, she filed a freedom suit in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Freeman’s case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, argued that slavery was inconsistent with the principles espoused in the state constitution. In 1781, the court ruled in her favor, affirming that slavery was indeed incompatible with the newly established legal framework. This precedent-setting decision had far-reaching implications, not only for Freeman’s own freedom but for the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts as a whole.
The significance of Freeman’s victory was further underscored when her case was cited in the appellate review of Quock Walker’s freedom suit. Just as Freeman had successfully challenged the institution of slavery, Walker’s case ultimately resulted in the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts by establishing that it was unconstitutional under the state constitution.
Despite being illiterate and leaving no written records of her life, Freeman’s impact on the fight against slavery cannot be overstated. Her bravery and determination contributed to the shifting tide of public opinion and legal precedent that would eventually lead to emancipation throughout the United States.
Elizabeth Freeman’s legacy as a trailblazer and catalyst for change in the fight for equality and social justice continues to resonate today. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of individuals to challenge oppressive systems and effect meaningful change in the pursuit of freedom and justice.