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established in the area in 1835, 1841, and 1849,

respectively. Both men and women were able to

find skilled work, included teaching positions,

artisans, shopkeepers, restaurant owners, as well as

working for Bridgeport’s upper-class, included

figures such as showman P.T. Barnum (“Little

Liberia,” n.d.).

Mary and Eliza Freeman owned two houses in Little

Liberia which are currently the last-standing

structures built by free blacks in the state of

Connecticut. The homes were constructed in 1848,

the same time Connecticut outlawed slavery; the

area continued to be a refuge for blacks fleeing southern states where slavery was still legal (Reitz, 2009). The

name of Freeman was well-known throughout the community. The brother of Eliza and Mary, Joel Freeman, is

believed to have settled in the area in 1828 and had a successful life as well. Joel Freeman was behind the petition

for the establishment of the community school, served as official witnesses to marriages and loans, and frequently

was the executer of the estates of those who had passed away – all responsibilities likely given due to his ability to

both read and write, unusual for a black man in those times. Though in a different direction, both sisters followed

the success of their brother. Neither ever married, and not only did they live part of their lives in the Freeman

Houses but both moved to New York City in 1844. Mary Freeman became a chef in a high-end hotel and they

rented out their homes back in Connecticut, while continuing to garner the ownership of additional houses in Little

Liberia. Mary Freeman, over the course of twenty years, had her investments valued at $30,000 to $50,000 which

placed her among the wealthiest women in all of Bridgeport. (Brilvitch, n.d.). Her wealth in assets was second

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