Canvas Lunch Bag With Strap (Bridget “Biddy” Mason)

Bridget “Biddy” Mason (1818-1891) was an American hero. Born into slavery in Mississippi, she became one of the first prominent citizens and landowners in Los Angeles during the 1850s and 1860s. Here are some key points about her remarkable life:

Enslavement and Journey West:
Mason was owned by slaveholders in Georgia and South Carolina before being taken to Mississippi.
In 1848, she walked 1,700 miles as part of a 300-wagon caravan to the Holladay-Cottonwood area of the Salt Lake Valley (now Utah).
Along the way, she performed various tasks, including setting up camp, cooking meals, herding cattle, and serving as a midwife.
California and Freedom:
In 1851, Mason’s owner, Robert Marion Smith, moved the family to San Bernardino, California, despite slavery being illegal there.
Mason met Charles H. and Elizabeth Flake Rowan, a free black couple, who encouraged her to legally contest her slave status.
After spending five years enslaved in California, Mason challenged Smith for her freedom. In 1856, she won her case, securing freedom for herself and thirteen family members.
Landownership and Legacy:
Mason settled in Los Angeles, where she worked as a midwife and nurse.
She saved her earnings and purchased land in downtown L.A., becoming a prominent landowner.
In 1872, she founded the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles.
Despite being illiterate, Mason achieved financial success and supported her extended family for generations.
Bridget “Biddy” Mason’s resilience, determination, and contributions continue to inspire us today.