Who Was Involved?

• Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett), an enslaved woman in Massachusetts.

• Attorney Theodore Sedgwick, who helped her fight for her freedom in court.

• Judge who ruled in Freeman's favor, setting a precedent for abolition in Massachusetts.

What Happened?

• In 1781, Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mum Bett, sued her enslaver for freedom, arguing that slavery was incompatible with the Massachusetts constitution, which declared all men free and equal.

• She won her case and became one of the first enslaved people in Massachusetts to be granted freedom through the legal system.

• Her victory set a legal precedent for the eventual abolition of slavery in the state.

Where Did It Happen?

• Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

When Did It Happen?

• 1781, when Freeman sued for her freedom.

Why Is It Important?

• Elizabeth Freeman’s victory was a major legal milestone in the fight against slavery in the North.

• It helped pave the way for abolition movements in New England and ultimately led to the end of slavery in Massachusetts.

• Freeman’s courage in taking her case to court highlighted the potential for legal resistance and contributed to changing attitudes toward slavery in the North.