Former slave, midwife, and nurse. Mason was taken by her Mormon master to California, where in 1856 she successfully petitioned for her freedom. She lived in Los Angeles and was the first African American to purchase land in the city. A shrewd businesswoman, Mason amassed substantial savings and real estate, and she gave much of her money to various charities.
Birth: August 15, 1818 in Hancock, Georgia
Death: January 15, 1891 in Los Angeles, California

References:
A History of Black Americans in California: Biddy Mason Home Site (2004), National Park Service, http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/5views/5views2h14.htm