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Truth, Sojourner

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1. Sojourner Truth’s real name was Isabella Baumfree

2. She was born in 1797, on the Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh estate in Swartekill, New York

3. Her parents were Elizabeth and James Baumfree and both were also slaves… She had 12 siblings

4. She was sold at the age of 9 to John Neeley, along with a herd of sheep for $100

5. Sojourner Truth only spoke Dutch until she was sold to the Neeley family… they only spoke English… she learned to speak English quickly because she was severely beaten when she didn’t understand what the family was saying… she was sold several times after that and treated very badly

6. She was forced to marry and older slave named Thomas and they had four children: Peter, James, Elizabeth, and Sophia

7. Dumont, her last owner, promised Sojourner freedom, but broke his promise… she left one morning with her infant daughter, Sophia

8. She wandered, praying for direction, and came to the home of Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen… Dunmont found her and wanted to take her baby when she refused to leave with him… the Van Wagenen’s paid Dunmont $20 for her and she remained with them until state emancipation on July 4, 1827

9. Sojourner Truth had a life-changing religious experience while living with the Van Wagenen family… she became an amazing preacher… she eventually became a traveling preacher… and in later years became a political activist, fighting for the freedom of slaves and women’s rights

10. Sojourner Truth died on November 26, 1883, in Battle Creek Michigan, at the age of 86… she has been honored many times since her death