Mum Bet - Liberty Kids

Context: The Declaration of Independence is read in a meeting at Mr. Ashely’s house, where Mum Bet was working. She goes with her daughter to Mr. Sedgwick’s (a lawyer) home to get her and her daughter’s freedom, referencing the Declaration of Independence. The clip starts during the next part of the discussion.

Additional Information: Bett did come to Mr. Sedgwick’s residence quoting the new Massachusetts Constitution and asked him to take her case to gain her freedom. Using the Massachusetts Constitution’s “all men are born free and equal”, it was asserted that this meant that slavery was abolished in Massachusetts. Bett gained her freedom in 1781 and worked for the Sedgwick family until 1808 as a senior servant and governess.