JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Story of Mumbet: Who was the enslaved woman whose burial site at a Berkshires cemetery draws so much reverence and respect?

  • Published In: American Scholar, 2026, v. 95, n. 2. P. 68 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: GREENHOUSE, LINDA 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the history and significance of the Stockbridge, Massachusetts, town cemetery, highlighting notable burials including Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbet, a formerly enslaved woman who successfully sued for her freedom in 1781 with the help of lawyer Theodore Sedgwick. It explores the intertwined histories of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican tribe, early New England slavery, and the Sedgwick family, prominent local figures involved in law and politics. Mumbet’s legal case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, helped challenge slavery in Massachusetts, contributing to its eventual abolition. The article also discusses the Sedgwick family’s legacy, including their continued presence in Stockbridge and their complex personal histories. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:American Scholar. 2026/04, Vol. 95, Issue 2, p68
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0003-0937
  • Accession Number:191623872
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