Sojourner Truth
Story and Links By Rachel Griffin
(Based on resources and my own knowledge of Sojourner Truth’s legacy)
I knew her first as Isabella Dumont. You may recognize her better as "Sojourner Truth.” What a remarkable young lady she was! My name is Isaac Van Wagenen, and I knew Isabella long before she became the public speaker that most people know her to be. To me and my wife, Maria, she was a scared young lady who needed help. Let me start from the beginning.
Isabella was born a slave around the year 1797. No one really knows the exact date, or even the exact year. During the first 13 years of Isabella’s life, she had many owners. Her last name changed every time she changed owners. When my wife and I met Isabella, she was a young, tall girl. Her height measured nearly six feet, and her back was as straight as a board. She was a proud girl. She would not allow her masters to break her spirit. Mr. Dumont, her last owner, made her work out in the fields with the men because she was so tall. When she was 14, her master forced her to marry another slave, whose name was Thomas. He was much older than Isabella, but he was kind. Isabella and Thomas had five children together. My, how Isabella loved her children! Her greatest fear was that her children would be taken from her and sold, and she would never see them again. (See a page about female slaves and their families.) Her fear came true when Mr. Dumont sold her son, Peter, to another slave holder. Sojourner pleaded with Mr. Dumont to give her back her son, but Dumont refused. Instead, he told her that if she worked hard, he would give her “free papers” in one year. Isabella worked harder than she had ever worked before, despite the fact that her labor had to be limited due to a diseased hand. One year later, Isabella returned to Mr. Dumont and asked for her free papers, but Mr. Dumont refused to give them to her. Isabella was angry! She was determined to leave, and so she picked up her little baby, Sophie, and walked away from the Dumont’s place.
That is where Maria and I became major participants in Isabella’s life. After walking away from the Dumont's farm, she arrived at our door. As Quakers, Maria and I did not believe in slavery, and so we took in Isabella. The next day, Mr. Dumont came looking for Isabella, but I would not let her go back with him. Instead, I paid Mr. Dumont for Isabella’s services for one year. Isabella wanted to take our last name, but I told her that we were not her masters. God alone was worthy to be her master. Isabella was a great help to Maria and me. We grew to love her and were very sad when the year was done. Isabella was sad to leave us too, but she felt a higher calling. She said that God was calling her to become a travelling preacher. She wanted to preach against the evils of slavery and discrimination, and tell people of the goodness of God. However, Isabella did not want anything to do with her former slave life and wished to have a new name. She asked God to give her a new name. That is when she became "Sojourner Truth." She chose "Sojourner" because she was called to travel all over the country, having no home, in order to preach. Isabella's last name had always been her master's name. When choosing a new name, she elected "Truth," because as she told me, "God is Truth, and I belong to God now!"
All too soon, Sojourner left our small farm for a life of travelling and public speaking. Maria and I were so proud of her! Most people respected her for her strength and courage to walk away from slavery. Why, Harriet Beecher Stowe called Sojourner a "Libyan Sibyl," which was a great compliment regarding Sojourner's strength and independence. Oh, but life was not easy for Sojourner Truth, even though she was free. When she spoke, some people laughed and jeered. Some even accused her of being a man because she was so tall and outspoken. She put a stop to that accusation in her speech called "Ain't I a Woman?" And that she was, a tall, beautiful, strong woman. I miss her, and my Maria misses her dearly. A few years ago, I heard she was living in Battle Creek, Michigan. She wanted to settle down and be near her children, most of whom she was able to locate after the slaves were freed. We are happy for our Sojourner, and I am thankful for having known that strong, determined young lady.
Outline:
I. Isabella's beginning
A. Born around 1797
B. Sold to many different slave holders over first 13 years.
C. Married Thomas, a fellow slave, at age 14.
D. Had five children.
E. Son, Peter, was sold to another slave holder.
F. Mr. Dumont promised Isabella free papers.
G. A year later, Mr. Dumont refused to give her the free papers.
H. Walked away from Mr. Dumont's farm.
II. Isabella's life after slavery
A. Went to the Van Wagenen's farm.
B. Stayed one year with the Van Wagenens.
C. Felt called to be a travelling preacher.
D. Changed her name to Sojourner Truth
E. Became well respected by many who heard her preach.
F. Some people disrespected her, even accused her of being a man.
G. Moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to be with her children.
Questions:
1. What was Sojourner Truth's name before she became Sojourner Truth?
2. When was Isabella (Sojourner Truth) born?
3. How many children did Isabella and Thomas have?
4. Imagine that you are Isabella. How would you feel when Mr. Dumont refused to give you your free papers? What would you have done?
5. Name one character quality that Sojourner Truth possessed.
6. Why do you think Isabella went to the Van Wagenen's house after she left Mr. Dumont's farm?
Answers:
1. Isabella. Her last name changed whenever she was sold to a new slave holder.
2. Around 1797. No one knows the exact date.
3. Five.
4. Answers will vary, but expressions of sorrow or anger are appropriate for the first question. Answers for the second question may vary greatly.
5. Answers such as the following are acceptable: Strength, courage, faith, honesty, hard working, determination, etc.
6. All of these answers are appropriate. She trusted the Van Wagenens. Their farm was not too far from Mr. Dumont's place. The Van Wagenens did not believe in slavery, so she knew that they would protect her. They were her friends.
Props: Gray wig, Quaker hat.
Sources:
http://www.stremy.net/rifton/rifton.html
http://www.black-collegian.com/sister.html