Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-11-18

"She was born 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 yet
equal. She neither wasted time
property. She never violated trust
nor failed to perform duty. In every
situation of domestic trial she was the
most efficient helper and the tenderest
friend.
"Good mother, farewell"
This cpl aph was written by one
whose delicate young life sustained, IN
der Providence, by the good mothers"
iudicious and tender care, was long spar
ed gratefully to remember her virtues,
and to be a pattern and daily blessing 10
how many others Now they lie very
close together in the same slap OF earth.
Mum Bet was born in slavery IN Mass
achusetts, and there became t h first
freed woman of her own right. Waiting
at the table of master to whom she bad
been bound for many years, she heard
some discussion OF the BILL of Rights.
She at once asked herself why she was
not entitled to her liberty, and referred
her case to Mr.. afterwards Judge
Sedcwck, who was then a rising young
lawyer of Sheffield. Her mistress inter-
posed the objection that Mum Bet had
been too long dependant to be able to
lake care Of herself and her only child ;
but she retorted that ut was a poor hen
that couldn't scarcb for one chicken. =
Mr.. Sedgwick prosecuted her case to the
obtaining OF her freedom and the wages
for her services from q years Of age.
This case was the wedge that split the
rock Of slavery in Massachusetts, and
finally in the entire North. Mum Bet
at once felt herself bound by her allegi-
ance to her protector, and lived ever al
ter with his family. The above epitaph
epitomizes b err faithful life. There is
one short scene i I, however, which
fairly belongs TO the historical drama of
her native State. At the time of the
famous "Shay's rebellion" in 1886, Judge
Sedgewick's house, in his absence, was
visited by some Of the rowing bands of
insurgents, who made justice the watch
word by which they violated its sacred
name. The villagers in expectation OF
fray, had committed all their valuables
to Mum Bets care. She prepared a
large cauldron Of boiling pumpkins fol
the rascals and awaited their coming -
They finally appeared; and upon he
asking VIII a t they wanted, answered
"Prisoners and ammunition" Once in
for she gave then ready notwithstanding
commuted their demand to one for drink
Quietly arming herself with a dipper fu
of the rather hot shot from the cauldror
she led them into the wine cellar, wher
amid stores more worthy Of song, Their
was lot Of sour porter. "There's til
best we've got for the like of ye :
They rejected the "damn stufi,' as the
called it, as soon as tasted, and were gla
to come away. One Of the party, 6
Mum Bet was leading them out agail
fingered lovingly over pork barrel
the foot of the stairs. ala hal" sa
she, "prisoners and ammunition in POI
barrel! They next demanded TO
shown her vauables. Armed as betor
she led them to her own room, wher
in a chest was stored mass Of materi
easily convertible to the "sinews" Of The
new calling. "NOw," says she, "let n
see the man that dares to touch it-the
isn't one OF you dares;" and with Il
determined spirit that fired her eye al
nerved her arm. they felt their lit
band outnumbered il not surrounded
They quailed before her, and were gil
to stink from the house, followed by b
triumphant jeers.
This notice was written by a young
member of my family. There are fac
in Mum Bets story which, perhaps, a
not known to him, and believe live on
in my memory. Their worth may
exaggerated by my fond memory of Il
great woman, the faithful nurse Of 4
childhood and that of all my family,
now passed on. Mum Bet was a sla
of one of the magnates Of his time, re
dent of Shifted. Massachusetts.
was, she reported of him, a gent
master and "all worthy" in character.
But be was unfairly yoked TO a WON
OF ferocious temper. Mum Bet had
younger sister, also slave in the SAT-
family she was "sEm piece as M
Bet described her TO me good, gent
consumptive and limid. Mum Bet che
ished for "Lizzie" the excessive year
ing love that the elders Of family a