Sojourner Truth: A Hero for Civil Rights

Isabella Baumfree, Belle Birth: Ulster County, N.Y., 1797 First Slave Auction: 1806 Sold alongside a herd of sheep. 90 miles north of NYC. Dutch family, spoke Dutch. Age 12: sold to a violent slave master, John Dumont, in 1806. Learned English then. Barry Lawrence Rudderman Antique Maps. https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/29050/A_New_and_Accurate_Plan_of_the_City_of_New_York_in_the_State_of_New_York_in/Valentine's%20Manual.html Encyclopedia Britannica, “Sojourner Truth,” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sojourner-Truth

1. Raised speaking Dutch and learned English as a second language. Unique Facts: 1. Raised speaking Dutch and learned English as a second language. 2. Heard God’s voice, saw visions. “Sojourner Truth,” American History. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/literature-1991/authors/sojourner-truth.php

Before that, it contained a slave market. 3. Wall Street in lower Manhattan became a financial center in the late 1800s. Before that, it contained a slave market. Slaves built city hall. Farmed, worked in homes and in trades. In 1711, 40% of households “owned” slaves. Families hired out their slaves. Slaves included Native Americans. Washington Post, “ A permanent reminder of Wall Street’s hidden slave-trading past is coming soon” Abby Phillip, 4/15/15 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/15/a-permanent-reminder-of-wall-streets-hidden-slave-trading-past-is-coming-soon/?utm_term=.6fae13952c7f

Image: “The first slave auction in New Amsterdam in 1655, painted by Howard Pyle, 1917” Wikipedia contributors. "History of slavery in New York." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Jan. 2017. Web. 2 Jan. 2017.

1815: Unable to marry the man she loved, Robert. Adulthood Timeline 1815: Unable to marry the man she loved, Robert. 1817: Forced to marry Thomas, a fellow slave. Had children. 1826: Escaped slavery. •Sojourner Truth fell in love in 1815 with a slave named Robert. While they had a daughter, they were not allowed to marry. Soon after, they were not allowed to see each other again. •In 1817, Truth’s master forced her to marry and a man named Thomas, a fellow slave, and they had 4 children. (Total: 5 for Truth) •In 1826, Truth escaped from slavery with her infant daughter. One site: The Van Wageners who were against slavery paid John Durmont for her freedom. (LOC) •In 1827, slavery was abolished in New York state, but one of her sons had been sold to a master in Alabama. With the help of some Quakers, Truth was able to secure his freedom. Image: “U.S. Slave” http://usslave.blogspot.com/2012/12/north-carolina-runaways.html

1817 Law: NY Slaves could no longer be sold to the south. Adulthood Timeline 1817 Law: NY Slaves could no longer be sold to the south. 1827: Slavery abolished in New York. However, one son, 5 year old Peter, had been sold already Mr. Dumont. •In 1827, slavery was abolished in New York state, but one of her sons had been sold to a master in Alabama. With the help of some Quakers, Truth was able to secure his freedom. She sued because of the 1817 law in NY stating slaves could no longer be sold to the south. Image: “U.S. Slave” http://usslave.blogspot.com/2012/12/north-carolina-runaways.html

Adulthood Timeline 1829: Housekeeper in NY 1843: Joined Abolition Movement Toured with Frederick Douglass 1851: Truth gave a speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. The speech later became known as the “Ain’t I a Woman Speech.” •In 1829. Sojourner supported herself and her children as a housekeeper. •In 1843, Truth joined the Methodist church and became an active abolitionist. It was at this time that she changed her name to Sojourner Truth. •Truth toured the country with other abolitionists like Frederick Douglas speaking in favor of African American rights and women’s rights. •In 1851, Truth gave a speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. The speech later became known as the “Ain’t I a Woman Speech.” Image: Frederick Douglass, Biography. Biography.com. http://www.biography.com/people/frederick-douglass-9278324

Frederick Douglass 1845: Wrote Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Supporter of rights for Af. Americans, NA, women, immigrants At first as a slave in MD in 1820s, wife of slave owner started to teach him to read. Husband against it, so the then self-taught. Then, taught other slaves to read New Testament. 1838, escaped from slavery, 24 hour journey ending in “Quaker City,” Philadelphia, PA 1839. Became preacher, went to same church as Sojourner. Spoke out against slavery, traveled to England, Ireland. 1863, met President Lincoln to complain of unequal pay for African American soldiers Beard, Rick. “When Douglas Met Lincoln” NY Times, https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/when-douglass-met-lincoln/ Image: Frederick Douglass, Biography. Biography.com. http://www.biography.com/people/frederick-douglass-9278324

1851 Speech, an Excerpt: That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me!

Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman?

I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Adulthood Timeline 1864: Truth met Abraham Lincoln at the White House. He showed her the “Lincoln Bible” donated to him by African Americans in Baltimore, MD. (Franklin C. Courter painting, 1829)

I must say, and I am proud to say, that I never was treated by any one with more kindness and cordiality than were shown to me by that great and good man, Abraham Lincoln, by the grace of God president of the United States for four years more. He took my little book, and with the same hand that signed the death-warrant of slavery, he wrote as follows: For Aunty Sojourner Truth October 29, 1864 A. LINCOLN NY Times Published Excerpt from her autobiography: “Abraham Lincoln and Sojourner Truth” by Steve Coates NY Times Excerpt: “Abraham Lincoln and Sojourner Truth” by Steve Coates 10/29/10, https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/abraham-lincoln-and-sojourner-truth/?_r=0

As I was taking my leave, he arose and took my hand, and said he would be pleased to have me call again. I felt that I was in the presence of a friend, and I now thank God from the bottom of my heart that I always have advocated his cause, and have done it openly and boldly. I shall feel still more in duty bound to do so in time to come. May God assist me. NY Times Excerpt: “Abraham Lincoln and Sojourner Truth” by Steve Coates

After the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863: In 1865, she fought against segregation in Washington D.C. Helped advise freed slaves on how to resettle, especially in Kansas and Missouri. In 1865, she fought against segregation in Washington D.C. when the streetcars had sections for white people apart from sections for African Americans.

Land grants Prison reforms Opposed to death penalties 1883, Died in Battle Creek, MI.

Redefined ideas of women as being delicate and weak Legacy Redefined ideas of women as being delicate and weak Asserted the power of working-class women Demonstrated the importance of being able to speak to all people In 1865, she fought against segregation in Washington D.C. when the streetcars had sections for white people apart from sections for African Americans.

Works Cited

Coates, Steve. “Abraham Lincoln and Sojourner Truth.” 10/29/10. “A New and Accurate Plan of the City of New York. Barry Lawrence Rudderman Antique Maps. 16 Jan. 2017. www.raremaps.com. Coates, Steve. “Abraham Lincoln and Sojourner Truth.” 10/29/10. Arts Beat. https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/abraham-lincoln-and-sojourner-truth/?_r=0 Editors of Bio.com. “Sojourner Truth: Biography.” Bio, A&E Television Networks, LLC. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. http://www.biography.com/people/sojourner-truth-9511284#related-video-gallery Editors of Bio.com. “Frederick Douglass: Biography.” Bio, A&E Television, Networks, LLC. 2017. Web. 16 Jan. 2017. Biography.com. http://www.biography.com/people/frederick-douglass-9278324 Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Sojourner Truth.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 7 August 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/607415/Sojourner-Truth

Halsall, P. “Sojourner Truth: ‘Ain’t I a Woman. ’, December 1851 Halsall, P. “Sojourner Truth: ‘Ain’t I a Woman?’, December 1851.” Modern History Sourcebook. Fordham University. Aug. 1997. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp “North Carolina Runaways.” (Image used.) “U.S. Slave.” http://usslave.blogspot.com/2012/12/north-carolina-runaways.html Phillips, Abby. “A permanent reminder of Wall Street’s hidden slave-trading past is coming soon.” Washington Post. 16 Jan. 2017. “Sojourner Truth,” American History. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/literature-1991/authors/sojourner-truth.php Wikipedia contributors. "History of slavery in New York." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Jan. 2017. Web. 2 Jan. 2017.