Bridget "Biddy" Mason: A Walking Sensation

Bridget "Biddy' Mason was born a slave in Mississippi in 1818. She was owned by Robert and Rebecca Smith. In 1847 Smith moved to Utah to join a Mormon community, taking his family and his slaves. Biddy was responsible for preparing meals, caring for the children, and herding the cattle. Smith moved to California in 1851 not realizing that California was a free state (California had been admitted to the union and slavery was forbidden. In 1855 "Biddy" went before a Judge Benjamin Hayes to petition for her freedom. In 1856 Biddy won freedom for herself and her children as well as her sister and her sister's children. Biddy moved to Los Angeles and took a job as a nurse. Biddy worked hard and saved her money. She purchased her first piece of land for $250.00. Biddy Mason was the first African American woman to own land in Los Angeles. Biddy Mason generously gave her time and money to help those in need. She founded and financed the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Biddy died January 15, 1891 in Los Angeles.