Search "New Bedford historical figures" and you'll discover a captivating roster of individuals who have left an indelible mark on our nation's history, earning well-deserved recognition for their contributions. Luminaries like Herman Melville, Frederick Douglass, and William Rotch Jr, household names that are revered and firmly etched in our collective memory. Nestled toward the lower reaches of this distinguished list lies the remarkable Mary "Polly" Johnson—a name less familiar to many, yet one that deserves the spotlight.

Polly Johnson, an Afro-Indigenous woman renowned for sheltering Frederick and Anna Douglass during their initial steps toward freedom in New Bedford, piqued my curiosity. Months of dedicated research have revealed that Polly's significance extends far beyond her brief encounter with Mr. Douglass.

In everyday conversations, mentioning Polly often elicits the response, "Oh! I haven't heard of Polly before…why is that?" If I had a dollar for every time I've heard this, we wouldn't need to launch an Indiegogo fundraiser.

This is precisely why we are fervently committed to bringing Polly's life to the screen. She embodies the essence of not just one, but three marginalized communities whose achievements have historically been overlooked. Recognizing my own cultural limitations, I've diligently collaborated with experts to ensure that Polly's story is portrayed accurately. Notably, Black
historian Jan da Silva and the New Bedford Historical Society have joined our endeavor. We’ve also secured the blessing of Polly's descendants: Chief Gray Fox Page, Donna Raindance Page, and Ellie Spirit Hawk Page, who serves as the tribal historian of the Pocasset Wampanoag.

When New Bedford Creative awarded our Sweet Freedom short film proposal an "Art is Everywhere" grant earlier this year, we were not only thrilled to receive initial funding, but also validation that Polly's story is indeed one worth sharing. It affirmed our commitment to doing justice to Polly's legacy. To fully finance "Sweet Freedom," we are enthusiastically inviting you, our community, to join us at the table and become an integral part of this project that promises to entertain, educate, and inspire. - Alyssa, writer/director

The fundraising goals of the campaign are set to ensure we can deliver the most historically accurate and highest quality product possible to the screen. **ANY DONATION OVER $75 IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE, AS WE ARE FISCALLY SPONSORED BY THE SHEPHERD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.**

Our $7,000 goal will ensure our location and insurance fees are covered. 

Our $8,000 goal will allow us to afford equipment rental expenses. 

Our $9,000 goal means we will be able to compensate our cast, crew, and producing team. 

At $10,000 we’ll be able to make Sweet Freedom happen!! 

At $11,000 we can ensure period-appropriate costumes & props for our cast. 

Our stretch goal of $12,000 will allow us to have original music for the film. 

Our super stretch goal of $15,000 will give us the ability to invest in festival submissions and promotion in turn bringing Sweet Freedom to THE WORLD. It ALSO covers all post-production costs including sound mixing and sound design, visual effects and graphics work, color grading, voiceovers, originally composed music, editing,

Welcome to New Bedford, Massachusetts in September 1839. The greatest whaling port and richest city in the world, and a favored haven for freedom seekers.

Among its prominent residents are Polly and Nathan Johnson, who run a confectionery shop by day, and an Underground Railroad “station” by night. As the film begins, they bid farewell to long-time guests Frederick and Anna Douglass, who are embarking on a new journey. Amidst the celebration, we meet another guest: Betsey Gibson, a former concubine, and her young daughters. The family arrived at the Johnson house five years ago, when their slave master sent them up North to be properly educated. Upon his death two years ago, they were set free in his will.

... Or perhaps not.

Questions linger about their true freedom status as persistent letters pile in from Edward Molyneux, a slave owner and friend of the Gibsons' former master. He urges the Johnsons to send the women to Jamaica for a supposed family reunion and freedom. As tensions rise, Polly, Nathan, and Betsey grapple with a weighty decision, seeking counsel from prominent abolitionists like Lewis Temple. The arrival of slave catchers Patty and Ridgell only further threatens the idyllic refuge of New Bedford.

In the face of mounting danger, Polly must harness her ingenuity and the support of her community to safeguard her business, her family, and ultimately herself. Sweet Freedom unfolds as a testament to the resilience and determination of those bound by a shared pursuit of liberty.

In 1784, Mary "Polly" Johnson was born free within the Pocasset Wampanoag tribe beside the Watuppa Ponds in Fall River, MA. Over the course of her remarkable life, she shattered boundaries not only owning her own confectionery business but also acquiring property—an accomplishment that was astonishing for a woman, particularly one of color, in an era when such feats were unheard of. By the year of her passing in 1871, Polly and her husband, Nathan, had ascended to become the second wealthiest family of color in New Bedford, a city that had claimed the title of the world's richest.

Yet Polly was no mere accumulator of wealth; she was a beacon of generosity. Her benevolence extended to those who needed it most. Fugitive slaves, their numbers too numerous to be accurately tallied by historians, sought sanctuary and found freedom within the walls of the Johnson household.

Among those whose lives were undoubtedly transformed by Polly's compassion were the newlywed Frederick and Anna Bailey. They would eventually adopt the renowned surname Douglasses at the suggestion of Nathan. In the embrace of the Johnson household, they discovered the true essence of liberty in New Bedford, setting forth on their transformative journeys to become stalwarts of change, champions of abolitionism, and beacons of freedom for all. Frederick's immersion in a community of politically conscious and engaged individuals of color in New Bedford kindled the spark that would propel him toward becoming a formidable adversary of slavery and an unwavering advocate for liberty.

But Frederick Douglass was not the sole New Bedford transplant to enter the world of antislavery activism. Lewis Temple, another luminary featured in "Sweet Freedom," emerged from uncertain beginnings in Virginia before relocating to New Bedford, where he became a blacksmith and the ingenious inventor of the whaling harpoon, famously known as "Temple's Toggle" and "Temple's Iron." His groundbreaking innovation revolutionized the whaling industry, catapulting the city of New Bedford into unparalleled prosperity, ultimately earning its reputation as the world's wealthiest city at the time. In 1834, Temple was elected vice president of the New Bedford Union Society, the village's inaugural antislavery organization and one of the African American auxiliaries to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, established a year prior. The spirit of antislavery activism ran deep within the city's core, and "Sweet Freedom" delves into the unbreakable bonds that a community must share to protect their home.

In essence, "Sweet Freedom" serves as a heartfelt tribute to the abolitionists who courageously risked everything to safeguard and uplift the most vulnerable. It's a narrative that defines New Bedford, New England, and indeed, the entire nation. Polly Johnson personified the very essence of freedom, shaping the bedrock ideals upon which our country was founded.

Sweet Freedom will be shot on location in historic buildings throughout southern Massachusetts. Historical representation is of the utmost importance to our team, and our choice of settings directly reflects our commitment to accuracy and authenticity. We are even shooting in Polly’s actual residence depicted in the film.

Polly’s Shop

General Store (Freetown, MA)

The Freetown General Store is preserved by the Freetown Historical Society. This store was in business from 1918 to 1960 and was served as both a general grocer and post office. The store is located on county road and is the perfect representation of the type of general store that could be found in nearly every New England town in the 19th and 20th century.

Davoll’s General Store (Dartmouth, MA)

Davoll’s has been in operation since 1793 and is the OLDEST general store in America. In its earliest days, the store also served as a trading station, providing vital services to the surrounding communities. The store has won awards for the renovations made to maintain its operation.

Polly’s Kitchen

The Jenkins House (Freetown, MA)

The Jenkins House is preserved by the Freetown Historical Society. This lovely historic home was built in the 1850s by William and Margaret Dover Jenkins and is original to the property. It was home to an incredible and interesting family whose stories historians are still discovering to this day.

The Johnson House - Dining Room, Bedroom, and Living Area

Johnson House (New Bedford, Ma)

YES, we WILL be filming in Polly and Nathan's REAL home! The Johnson Properties at 21 Seventh Street and 17-19 Seventh Street have been designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. This designation came about as the result of the owners’ role in ante-bellum efforts to eradicate American slavery. They assisted escaped slaves, and, in particular, had a connection with famed abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass. The Johnson House is actually two structures that were joined together during the 1850s, 1 circa 1820s structure and a circa 1857 structure that was added onto the earlier building. The front part was built in the attic. The rear portion resembles a vernacular Georgian/Federal building.

Preservation/restoration of the Johnson House is being programmed by the Society in three phases by the New Bedford Historical Society.

Polly and Nathan's Bedroom

Freetown Historical Society - Main Museum (Freetown, Ma)

Built in 1914 and donated by the Stillwater Charities Foundation, the main building was originally used for screening cranberries by the Bullock Cranberry Company and then as a warehouse by Stillwater Associates of East Freetown. Rooms from several historic homes located on South Main Street were removed and reconstructed within the building; the keeping room from the Hathaway house, and the parlor from Captain Job Terry's house built in the 1830s. 

The Blacksmith Shop

Sellars-Domranville Blacksmith Shop (Freetown, Ma)

The Sellars-Domranville Blacksmith Shop is preserved by the Freetown Historical Society. The shop is a replica of the Freeman "Barney" Sellars blacksmith/wheel-wright shop which was located on Elm Street in the center of Assonet Village. The forge and ox sling came from the Demoranville Blacksmith Shop in East Freetown.

Mansion Parlor Room

Rotch-Jones-Duff House (New Bedford, Ma)

The Rotch-Jones-Duff (RJD) House occupies a full city block on County Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, bordered by Madison, Cherry (now Joli Gonsalves), and Seventh Streets. The house is a Greek Revival mansion set back from the sidewalk on all sides with the house positioned about forty feet from the sidewalks to the north and west (Madison and County Streets) to allow for greater space for gardens and outbuildings on the south and east of the property. The property is approximately one acre in size and was acquired by William Rotch Jr. as part of the land owned by his father, William Rotch Sr. who passed the property to his children under the provisions of the will in force at his death in 1828. The property was deeded to William Jr. on 5 July 1831.​

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Sweet Freedom will look and feel as though you have been transported to a time where the little things matter the most. Our characters have a lot on their mind, and it goes beyond what they say- it’s an energy that will be disrupted multiple times throughout the story. The camera will reflect the changes in emotion with our characters, picking up in pace when they are energized and free-flowing, and slowing down to observe in quiet moments of introspection.

In essence, the camera will act as a sort of inner monologue for our main characters, reflecting their feelings towards unwelcome guests; emphasizing emotions and motivations in key moments of their journeys. In terms of visuals, we will emulate a filmic look- one that will add to the historic background of the story, while also creating a cinematic feel. Celluloid film tends to have dense colors, and a slightly grainy look, which can be very beautiful and warm, and will add a gritty feel to intense moments.

Color will be a very important aspect to the film, there will be no sepia filter just to make it look “old”. Some films resort to general wash of color to depict a time or place; which can be a useful tool, but our film will emphasize the true color of clothing, props, environment, etc. to tell the story.

It will feel like a true look into the past, one with personality and vibrancy. Our natural daylight look will be dramatic and warm, as though you can feel the warmth of the sun through the screen. Above all, our approach is beauty and truth, only serving the story and the character motivations within it.

Brandice Peltier as Polly

" I am so excited to have the pleasure of playing Polly Johnson and to be able to tell a small piece of her incredible story. I am inspired by her love for her people and her determination to help provide a safe place for them.  I hope, that with this film, we are able to provide a safe place for her legacy to reside."

Recent Productions:
‘Queen Bess, The Bessie Coleman Story’ -One woman show
‘Think Like A Killer’(ID Channel)

Kayla Garabedian as Patty

"I love Alyssa's vision and taste for under-told stories of history, and I'm really excited to be a part of telling the story of Mary J "Polly" Johnson. I think that's part of what makes film and entertainment so great, is its capacity for disseminating education, starting conversations about important topics, and shedding light on stories forgotten to history --all while being entertaining. We have a really talented crew and cast, some I've worked with before and can't wait to be reunited with, and others who are new to me and I can't wait to get to know and learn from! And to add to that, I am VERY excited to get into the crazy character of Patty. I love diving into eccentric, perhaps morally compromised characters and figuring out what made them that way. Somebody's gotta be the villain, right?"

Recent Productions:

The Jungle (Dir. Jerry Angelo)
Aftermath (Dir. Francesca Prout)
Hell House (Potential Stranger)
Beautiful Terrible Things (Accented Film)

Jomo Peters as Nathan Johnson

"Having been raised in a socially conscious/activist household, I've been aware of and an admirer of abolitionists, The Underground Railroad, freedom fighters, etc all of my life. I couldn't be more thrilled to bring a piece of that history to light."

Recent Productions:
A Lie Agreed Upon (The Gamm Theater)
A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Gamm Theater)
Moby Dick: Then and Now (Mixed Magic Theater)
The Wickhams: Christmas At Pemberly Role: Fitzwilliam Darcy  (The Barker Playhouse)

Mark Bracich as Ridgell

"What intrigued me about this project was the writing--especially the strangely nuanced character of Ridgell: a "southern gentleman" with an inhumane streak, and his strained relationship to his partner. To achieve that depth of character in a short screenplay is no small feat. I'm excited about the challenge in bringing him to life."

Recent Productions:
Lex Talionis (dir. Dan Fowlks)
Dark Ops (Knight Studios)
Reconcile (dir. Gabriela Matarazzo)

Precious Osarenkhoe, Betsey Gibson

Polly Johnson was a historical figure -  a woman who  risked her life, home and freedom so she can help those in need. A woman  whose strength inspired many others like Betsey Gibson. I am beyond excited and looking forward to being apart of this production and telling this historical story of the impact Polly Johnson had on the lives of others. 

Recent Productions:
Fear Thy Neighbour (Season 9)
Eli Roth Presents: A Ghost Ruined My Life (Season 7, Episode 2)
Mistaken (dir. Damola Layonu)

Additional Cast

Alyssa Botelho, Writer/Director

Growing up in the historically significant SouthCoast MA region, Alyssa was doomed from the start to be a history geek. Or, more poetically, “she is fueled by a simple yet profound passion: unearthing forgotten tales of the past and giving them a voice through the magic of cinema.”

Yes, much better.

Over the last 10 years of developing as a filmmaker, Alyssa has discovered that she’s passionate about highlighting the stories of women who have often been overlooked by history. She strives to bring these narratives to the forefront for a wider audience to appreciate and learn from. Her previous work, set in the historical backdrop of 18th-century Salem, received recognition including "Best Short Fiction" and "Best Director" awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Undergraduate Chapter.

Sweet Freedom is a heartfelt endeavor to shed light on the life of Polly Johnson, an unsung hero of the abolitionist movement. Alyssa is genuinely inspired by Polly's story and hopes to give her the credit she is so incredibly deserving of.

Jan da Silva, Historical Consultant

With over 20 years of experience in historic preservation, Jan is a champion for illuminating Black history.

Serving distinguished organizations as a preservation planner, historian, and cultural resource specialist, Jan notably helped found the New Bedford Historical Society, with its focus on celebrating the history, legacy and presence of African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Native Americans, West Indians and other people of color in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

After years of effort preserving Polly’s legacy, Jan is excited to help bring Polly’s story to life through the art of film.

Sean Campbell, Director of Photography

Sean and Writer/Director Alyssa Botelho have worked together on multiple films in the past. Through this partnership, they've learned and grown together, making each film they collaborate on smoother and more efficient.

Sean has shot short films in various genres, from horror to comedy, and is looking forward to tackling more difficult subject, and a much more difficult genre - drama. “With each project, I want to try something new, so I will be challenging myself to use anamorphic lenses and a more advanced camera. I’m also really looking forward to utilizing exciting camera moves and more thoughtful compositions to tell the story. This film is an opportunity to not only challenge my technical knowledge and creativity, but to work with extremely talented actors and crew members. I hope to learn from them and their creative processes; this project should be more than just an exercise in filmmaking, I want it to be an experience worthwhile for everyone involved.”

Carley Byers, Producer

Carley is a writer/director/producer from Freetown, Massachusetts. She’s excited to bring the story of “Sweet Freedom” to life in the community where its origins took place. Carley has a deep love for the New England film community and strives to lead project’s she’s involved in with kindness. She finds her speciality in independent short films being involved in over 50 productions since her graduation from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2021. She believes in the cast and crew behind the project and can’t wait to support them through an incredible production!

Lionel R Jeffries, Producer

Lionel R Jeffries is a filmmaker from Connecticut whose creative interests include history, introspection, the supernatural, and the strange. Born to an American mother and English father, he deeply values both his regional identity as a New Englander and his European ancestry. He is currently in post-production for his debut feature film, Waterwick, which he wrote, produced, and directed.

Ted Omo, Producer

Ted is a writer, producer, director, and occasional actor,  born and raised in Massachusetts and based out of Boston. His diverse work in the media industry has included working for several cable access networks and independent production houses, working many roles on numerous local independent films, spending multiple years in digital marketing for local and nationwide brands, and writing for Amazon Originals, iHeartRadio, and Warner Music Company podcasts.

Like many New-Englanders, Ted has a strong affinity for the region's history and is excited to help bring an important piece of it to the screen with ‘Sweet Freedom’.

This film is only possible because of people like you! Being an independently-funded project with no major studio throwing us disposable cash, we are relying on friends, family, coworkers, peers, and like-minded creatives to help us make this movie magic possible.

Please, share our film and campaign as often as you can. Social media is a great place to start, but email and word of mouth are also great!

Here are some examples of what to post. Feel free to copy and paste!

Support independent filmmakers by sharing @alyssa.botelho's short film, Sweet Freedom! Contribute to their campaign on Indie Gogo! (insert link)

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey to immortalize a remarkable woman, Polly Johnson, whose unwavering commitment to freedom has left an indelible mark on our nation's history. Your support sustains independent art, ensuring that stories like Polly's continue to inspire and educate. We are deeply grateful for your contribution – it fuels our mission to share her legacy with the world.