When Elizabeth Freeman (“Mum Bett”), an enslaved woman in Sheffield, Massachusetts, successfully sued for her freedom in 1781, she set gears in motion for challenging the existence of slavery in Massachusetts and declaring it unconstitutional, but the institution was never officially abolished in this state. When Gilbert Speakman wrote to Aaron Willard in 1788 about Jube’s intentions to leave his master, the legal issues regarding the institution of slavery in Massachusetts were still murky and confusing. It appears that Jube had left his “Master Joshua,” considered retuning to him, but changed his mind and chose to remain with Speakman. Aaron Willard was reminded that if Jube decided to move on, Speakman would try to convince him to stay but Speakman no longer had any “authority” to retain Jube or return him to “Master Joshua”.
Speakman, Gilbert W.[arner]. Letter to Aaron Willard regarding enslaved man. July 10, 1788. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l04-069/. Accessed on October 10, 2024.
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