Since we were in the area and are members of the Trustees of Reservation, we discovered this wonderful house and the fascinating story of Elizabeth " Mumbet" Freeman, a black slave who sued for her freedom in 1780 and won (with a jury of 12 white men). This led to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts. She went on to work for the family of her lawyer, Theodore Sedgwick. The Sedgwick family thought so highly of her that she was buried in the Sedgwick plot. The only non-family member to be buried there. When Mumbet, died she was the second wealthiest black woman in the state.

We had a great tour of the Colonel Ashley House with a tour guide who does tours for a lot of school groups so we learned a lot of interesting things from her such as the expression "Jumping the Broom". There is also a barn next to the house with a lot of information.

Since we are members of the Trustees of Reservation, we did not have to pay the $5.00 admission fee. As of August 2017, the house is only open on Sundays in July and August for tours at 12, 1, and 2 P.M.

Bartholomew's Cobble is located about a half mile from the Colonel Ashley House. There are hiking paths and a visitors' center with rest rooms, a water cooler, and a large room tp wait for the tour at Ashley house.