Sojourner TruthSojourner Truth

Her Early Life as a SlaveHer Early Life as a Slave Sojourner Truth was born Isabella to her parents, Sojourner Truth was born Isabella to her parents,

James and Betsey, around 1797.James and Betsey, around 1797. Her parents were slaves to Dutch-speaking Mr. Her parents were slaves to Dutch-speaking Mr.

Hardenbergh. Hardenbergh. James, or Bett, was called Bomefree, Dutch for “tree” James, or Bett, was called Bomefree, Dutch for “tree”

because of his large stature. Betsey was known as because of his large stature. Betsey was known as “Mau Mau” by Bella.“Mau Mau” by Bella.

Bella was next to last child in 7 to 12 children, but she Bella was next to last child in 7 to 12 children, but she only knew her youngest brother, Peter.only knew her youngest brother, Peter.

Mau Mau often told Bella stories about how other Mau Mau often told Bella stories about how other children were harshly taken away. She also told Bella children were harshly taken away. She also told Bella about God.about God.

Around age 9, Bella’s first master died, separating the Around age 9, Bella’s first master died, separating the family. Her parents were freed because they were too family. Her parents were freed because they were too old to be sold. However, they soon died because they old to be sold. However, they soon died because they could not adequately take care of themselves.could not adequately take care of themselves.

Bella was only sold after a tired auctioneer Bella was only sold after a tired auctioneer offered to sell a flock of sheep with her.offered to sell a flock of sheep with her.

Her new master was John Neely. He only Her new master was John Neely. He only spoke English, and thought Bella was spoke English, and thought Bella was being stubborn by not doing what she was being stubborn by not doing what she was told.told.

Before her father’s death, Bella told him Before her father’s death, Bella told him about her severe beatings, and he asked a about her severe beatings, and he asked a man to buy her.man to buy her.

Bella was sold next to a Dutch-speaking Bella was sold next to a Dutch-speaking tavern owner, Schryver. By listening to the tavern owner, Schryver. By listening to the customers, Bella began to pick up English.customers, Bella began to pick up English.

Schryver sold Bella for a large sum to her Schryver sold Bella for a large sum to her next owner, John Dumont.next owner, John Dumont.

Bella’s Life at the Bella’s Life at the Dumont’sDumont’s

Mr. Dumont was very happy with his Mr. Dumont was very happy with his purchase of Bella. He claimed she was worth purchase of Bella. He claimed she was worth more than a man.more than a man.

During this time, Bella fell in love with During this time, Bella fell in love with Robert, a slave from a neighboring estate. Robert, a slave from a neighboring estate. Their love was forbidden, and Robert was Their love was forbidden, and Robert was severely beaten when he tried to see Bella.severely beaten when he tried to see Bella.

Mr. Dumont made Bella marry and have Mr. Dumont made Bella marry and have children with Thomas, another one of his children with Thomas, another one of his slaves.slaves.

Bella agreed and had five children: Diana, Bella agreed and had five children: Diana, Elizabeth, Hannah, Peter, and Sophia. Elizabeth, Hannah, Peter, and Sophia. Hannah did not live past infancy. Hannah did not live past infancy.

Around 1825, New York issued a law Around 1825, New York issued a law that would free older slaves by the that would free older slaves by the year 1827. As thanks for her hard year 1827. As thanks for her hard work, Mr. Dumont said he would work, Mr. Dumont said he would free her one year before this time.free her one year before this time.

In the year, Bella cut her hand in the In the year, Bella cut her hand in the fields, but continued her hard labor.fields, but continued her hard labor.

On her day of promised freedom, On her day of promised freedom, Mr. Dumont said he would keep her Mr. Dumont said he would keep her another year because he lost work another year because he lost work while her hand was injured. while her hand was injured.

Bella’s Road to Freedom Bella’s Road to Freedom Bella became angry with her master for not Bella became angry with her master for not

fulfilling his promise. She decided to escape with fulfilling his promise. She decided to escape with her baby, Sophia.her baby, Sophia.

Somehow she ended up at the Van Wagner’s Somehow she ended up at the Van Wagner’s home.home.

The Van Wagner’s accepted her because they The Van Wagner’s accepted her because they were Quakers.were Quakers.

Mr. Dumont arrived and demanded his slave, but Mr. Dumont arrived and demanded his slave, but Mr. Van Wagner “bought” Bella and her baby.Mr. Van Wagner “bought” Bella and her baby.

Bella continued to visit her children at the Bella continued to visit her children at the Dumont’s.Dumont’s.

It was illegal during this time to sell slaves to It was illegal during this time to sell slaves to the South. However, Mr. Dumont sold Bella’s the South. However, Mr. Dumont sold Bella’s son Peter to a friend who sold him to Alabama.son Peter to a friend who sold him to Alabama.

With the help of her Quaker friends, Bella With the help of her Quaker friends, Bella hired a lawyer and took the man to court.hired a lawyer and took the man to court.

Against everyone’s expectations, Bella won Against everyone’s expectations, Bella won the trial. the trial.

In 1829, Bella decided to move to New York In 1829, Bella decided to move to New York City, where she could have better City, where she could have better opportunities. She returned Sophia to the opportunities. She returned Sophia to the Dumont's where the young child could be with Dumont's where the young child could be with her older sisters.her older sisters.

Bella wanted Peter to be educated and Bella wanted Peter to be educated and literate, something Bella herself would never literate, something Bella herself would never achieve. achieve.

While in New York CityWhile in New York City

Bella was fooled by Elijah Pierson who claimed Bella was fooled by Elijah Pierson who claimed to be the prophet of God. He took all her to be the prophet of God. He took all her money before she realized his scam.money before she realized his scam.

Her son was also falling in with a rough crowd. Her son was also falling in with a rough crowd. He decided to straighten up and went to work He decided to straighten up and went to work on a ship. on a ship.

After three letters, Bella never heard from her After three letters, Bella never heard from her son again.son again.

By 1843, Bella was tired of city life. She was By 1843, Bella was tired of city life. She was inspired by God to leave the city, travel, and inspired by God to leave the city, travel, and tell her story to others. tell her story to others.

Sojourner Truth is BornSojourner Truth is Born

Bella left the city with just 25 cents in her Bella left the city with just 25 cents in her pocket. She left her life as a slave behind her pocket. She left her life as a slave behind her and decided to rename herself Sojourner and decided to rename herself Sojourner Truth, because of her mission.Truth, because of her mission.

Sojourner traveled around the northeast, Sojourner traveled around the northeast, telling her life to anyone who would listen. telling her life to anyone who would listen. She did this for about 40 years.She did this for about 40 years.

Sojourner fearlessly spoke out against Sojourner fearlessly spoke out against slavery and for the rights of women. slavery and for the rights of women. Oftentimes, the audience was swayed by her Oftentimes, the audience was swayed by her speeches. speeches.

Sojourner’s Sojourner’s AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

During the Civil War, Sojourner delivered food to an During the Civil War, Sojourner delivered food to an all-black Michigan regiment.all-black Michigan regiment.

She also visited Abraham Lincoln during the war. He She also visited Abraham Lincoln during the war. He referred to her as “Aunty” Sojourner Truth.referred to her as “Aunty” Sojourner Truth.

After the Civil War, Sojourner worker for the National After the Civil War, Sojourner worker for the National Freedman’s Relief Association. This organization Freedman’s Relief Association. This organization helped newly-freed slaves find jobs, shelter, and a helped newly-freed slaves find jobs, shelter, and a new way of life. She also worked with Freedman’s new way of life. She also worked with Freedman’s Hospital to ensure all blacks be given proper Hospital to ensure all blacks be given proper healthcare. healthcare.

A new law integrated streetcars in Washington when A new law integrated streetcars in Washington when Sojourner was 70. When an attendant refused to stop Sojourner was 70. When an attendant refused to stop for her, she sued him, and he lost his job.for her, she sued him, and he lost his job.

She petitioned Congress to give Western land to She petitioned Congress to give Western land to freed slaves. Although many people signed, it was freed slaves. Although many people signed, it was refused.refused.

Sojourner’s Literary Sojourner’s Literary InfluenceInfluence

In 1850, Sojourner dictated her life story to a friend, Olive In 1850, Sojourner dictated her life story to a friend, Olive Gilbert. Gilbert. The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: a Northern The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: a Northern SlaveSlave was published the same year. was published the same year.

In 1851, Truth delivered her famous “Aren’t (Ain’t) I a In 1851, Truth delivered her famous “Aren’t (Ain’t) I a Woman?” speech to a Women’s Right’s Convention in Woman?” speech to a Women’s Right’s Convention in Ohio.Ohio.

Both of these pieces receive mixed criticism because of Both of these pieces receive mixed criticism because of doubt in authenticity. Her book was not written by her, doubt in authenticity. Her book was not written by her, and the author left out many details of Truth’s rough slave and the author left out many details of Truth’s rough slave life. Her speech was recorded by two people. One gives life. Her speech was recorded by two people. One gives her a heavy dialect, while the other tends to be more her a heavy dialect, while the other tends to be more accepted. accepted.

However, it is agreed that Sojourner Truth captivated However, it is agreed that Sojourner Truth captivated audiences with her manner, appearance, and account of audiences with her manner, appearance, and account of being a slave. Her style often has a religious influence, is being a slave. Her style often has a religious influence, is very personal about her past life, and involves many very personal about her past life, and involves many controversial issues of her day.controversial issues of her day.

The Death of Sojourner The Death of Sojourner TruthTruth

Sojourner bought a house in 1857 in Battle Creek, Sojourner bought a house in 1857 in Battle Creek, Michigan, and her daughters moved in shortly Michigan, and her daughters moved in shortly after. She stopped traveling between the age of 70-after. She stopped traveling between the age of 70-80.80.

Around the age of 86, Sojourner Truth died from Around the age of 86, Sojourner Truth died from an illness at her home. More than 1,000 people an illness at her home. More than 1,000 people attended her funeral. attended her funeral.

Sojourner Truth was a very important person in Sojourner Truth was a very important person in slavery and women’s rights issues. She was a slavery and women’s rights issues. She was a courageous speaker who allowed no person to courageous speaker who allowed no person to compromise her beliefs. Although she may not be compromise her beliefs. Although she may not be remembered for her impact on literature, she remembered for her impact on literature, she continues to be an inspiration to the lives of continues to be an inspiration to the lives of African Americans and women to this day.African Americans and women to this day.

A Presentation of Sojourner A Presentation of Sojourner TruthTruthby by

Taylor DiesTaylor Dies

The EndThe End