Elizabeth Freeman had a long and remarkable life that started in bondage. Originally known as Mum Bett, she was born into slavery, along with her sister Lizzie, to Peter Hogeboom who lived in Claverack, Columbia County in New York. John Ashley then proposed to and married Peter Hogeboom’s daughter, Hannah. Mum Bett and her sister became servants for the new couple. They moved to Sheffield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.[5] John Ashley held many jobs, including being a soldier, lawyer, and judge and was well respected in Massachusetts.[6] In spite of Ashley’s upstanding civic roles, he still owned slaves. His wife, Hannah Ashley, was said to have been very demanding and cruel. Mum Bett worked very hard as a servant for her new owners, sometimes having to complete Lizzie’s work, too since she was often too sick and fragile to do her own chores. While her sister might have been described as a weak, Mum Bett was a very strong, kind, caring, and a quick-witted person. Her amazing character and skills brought on the affection of all types of people in her community.[7] When she was sick later in her life, Catherine Sedgwick said, “I felt as if I had entered the presence of Washington. Even protracted suffering and mortal sickness…could not break down her spirit.”[8] Bett continued to work under bondage of slavery for almost thirty years until she found a way to gain her freedom. Her determination resulted in her fight for her freedom in court winning a case that triggered more events that led to the official end of slavery.