According to the article “Sojourner Truth” in the Student Research Center-Gold database, Truth was born in 1797, she was born into slavery so there is no exact date. Sojourner was born in Ulster County. Her moms name was Elizabeth. Her dads name was James. Her first name wasn’t always Sojourner Truth; her birth name was Isabella Baumfree. She only spoke Dutch. She had many slave owners between birth and when she was 13. When Sojourner was 13 her slave owner died. She was put up for sale; she was bought by John Dumont. Sojourner worked for Dumont for 17 years. Dumont always thought she was a hard worker. Also, John Dumont was impressed with Sojourner’s physical appearance.
In 1817, the New York State Legislature passed a law saying that any slave who was born before July 4th, 1779 would have to be set free. This was very good news for Sojourner. Although she had to wait ten years for it to take place she still had hope. During those ten years of waiting, John Dumont Chose a slave named Thomas to be the husband of Sojourner.
In 1817, the New York State Legislature passed a law saying that any slave who was born before July 4th, 1779 would have to be set free. This was very good news for Sojourner. Although she had to wait ten years for it to take place she still had hope. During those ten years of waiting, John Dumont Chose a slave named Thomas to be the husband of Sojourner.
They had 5 children of which 4 survived. She had only 1 year left before she was set free, but she decided to go early and find her son.
Sojourner Truth was determined to find out where her son went. She found out that her son, Peter, was illegally traded from slave owner to slave owner. So, she decided to take those slave owners to court. With the little money she had she hired a lawyer. This was a risky move because no black person has ever won a court case against a white man. Sojourner didn’t care what the odds were she just wanted her son. So, Truth was the first black person to ever win a court case against a white man! When she finally got her son she grew closer to God and was saved in 1827.
With her getting her son back and her getting closer to God she joined the Methodist Church, in New York City. She also moved to New York with her son Peter in 1827. This church she joined had many problems with there pastor claiming he was Jesus. Sojourner stayed out of these problems. A year later the pastor was charged with murdering another church member. The officials claimed Sojourner was an accomplice in the murder. She once again went to court. After telling the court that she wasn’t guilty they let her go. She then filed a slander suit against the Folgers. She once again won that case and won $125.00. She was the first black woman to win a slander case against a white man.
In 1843 she decided to leave New York and Preach the word of God. Her son found a wife and stayed in New York. In 1843 when she left New York she claimed she talked to God and he told her to change her name from Isabella Baumfree to Sojourner Truth. Sojourner wasn’t only working to free her own people but also to win women’s rights. While she was working to win women’s rights she spoke only to men. She worked restlessly to free slaves. At the age of 73 she met with president Ulysses S. Grant where she got a standing ovation by all the congressmen. Due to leg ulcers she was confined to her bed. On November 26, 1883, at the age of 83 she died with friends and family standing by her. Sojourner Truth had an amazing life and was a great American.
Sojourner Truth was determined to find out where her son went. She found out that her son, Peter, was illegally traded from slave owner to slave owner. So, she decided to take those slave owners to court. With the little money she had she hired a lawyer. This was a risky move because no black person has ever won a court case against a white man. Sojourner didn’t care what the odds were she just wanted her son. So, Truth was the first black person to ever win a court case against a white man! When she finally got her son she grew closer to God and was saved in 1827.
With her getting her son back and her getting closer to God she joined the Methodist Church, in New York City. She also moved to New York with her son Peter in 1827. This church she joined had many problems with there pastor claiming he was Jesus. Sojourner stayed out of these problems. A year later the pastor was charged with murdering another church member. The officials claimed Sojourner was an accomplice in the murder. She once again went to court. After telling the court that she wasn’t guilty they let her go. She then filed a slander suit against the Folgers. She once again won that case and won $125.00. She was the first black woman to win a slander case against a white man.
In 1843 she decided to leave New York and Preach the word of God. Her son found a wife and stayed in New York. In 1843 when she left New York she claimed she talked to God and he told her to change her name from Isabella Baumfree to Sojourner Truth. Sojourner wasn’t only working to free her own people but also to win women’s rights. While she was working to win women’s rights she spoke only to men. She worked restlessly to free slaves. At the age of 73 she met with president Ulysses S. Grant where she got a standing ovation by all the congressmen. Due to leg ulcers she was confined to her bed. On November 26, 1883, at the age of 83 she died with friends and family standing by her. Sojourner Truth had an amazing life and was a great American.
"Truth, Sojourner." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010
"Truth, Sojourner." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 3 Mar. 2010.
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