2OLOTR - The Search for Elizabeth Freeman Known By The Name Mumbet - Part 2

When we last left our intrepid travelers, they were wandering around Stockbridge Cemetery looking for the Elizabeth Freeman known as Mumbet. She had been a slave, but in 1781 sued her owner and won her freedom.

A large and beautiful Celtic cross

The back of this stone had interesting glyphs. Were these symbols of things he liked to do? A tree in a pot or bed. Gardening? An eagle with a fish. Fishing, watching eagles? An airplane. Was he a pilot? A horse and rider, but the rider is standing up in the stirrups like a jockey. Did this gentlemen like horse racing? Was he a jockey? A plane. Was he a carpenter? Interested in woodworking. I'm not sure what the other two symbols are. A pitchfork or rake and two animals. The top one looks like a cow. Was he a farmer.

Norwood Penrose Hallowell III. That's quite a moniker. Nicknamed Buck. Was the beloved husband of Marjorie, loving father, son, brother, and grandfather. 

Still no sign of Elizabeth Freeman

We entered another copse

A little lamb marking the grave of a Sedgwick child

and another monument to the Sedgwick children who had passed before their time.

We wandered around. There were a couple of dozen graves in this area and then

We found her. Carved on the gravestone:

ELIZABETH FREEMAN

known by the name of

MUMBET

Died Dec 28, 1829

Her supposed age was 85 Years She was born a slave and remained a slave for nearly thirty years. She could neither read nor write, yet in her own sphere she had no superior nor equal. She neither wasted time nor property. She never violated a trust, nor failed to perform a duty. In every situation of domestic trial, she was the most efficient helper, and the tenderest friend. Good Mother, farewell.”

Visitors to Elizabeth Freeman's grave have left stones on her grave. A tribute to a remarkable and brave woman.

She as buried in the area known as the Sedgwick Pie, a round dais with the monuments of Theodore Sedgwick, the lawyer who represented Elizabeth Freeman in her case to sue for her freedom and his wife, Pamela. Visitors have left stones on the grave of Theodore Sedgwick.  A testament to a man that took a case in the name of justice.

The other members of the family, including Elizabeth Freeman are buried around the circle "from generation unto generation, are all buried with their heads facing out and their feet pointing in toward their ancestor. The legend is that on Judgment Day when they arise and face the Judge, they will have to see no one but Sedgwicks.” —Excerpt from an interview of John P. Marquand, Jr., Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity, Stephen Edelston Toulmin, Stephen Toulmin"

If we had paid attention as we were wandering around, we would have noticed this letter S which marked the Sedgwick family plot.