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Sojourner Truth

1797-1883

Name: Sojourner Truth (Born Isabelle)

Birthplace: Hurley New York

Status: Born a slave.

Occupation/Training Author, Orator, Abolitionist

Residence: New Paltz New York, Battle Creek Michigan

Abolitionist Involvement: Separated from here mother at age 11 and having endured much cruelty as a slave having had babies sold from her arms, Sojourner Truth found solace in God. Her son, was sold from her and suffered severe emotional problems for the remainder of his life as a result. She often blamed herself for Gods not responding to her prayers for her safety and that of her family. In 1826, she finally fled from slavery. Through the courts, she was able to have her son returned from Alabama.

She lived in new York City for some time, but became dissatisfied with the structure, and the corruption found in many churches. She assumed the name Truth for God, and Sojourner for the fact that she was to travel up and down the land. She travelled and met the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, and met others such as Douglass, David Ruggles and more. She was convinced that the antislavery movement was essential to the survival of her people. She met women activists who inspired as equally as did the men abolitionists. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott were among those whom she admired.

She travelled to Washington and met President Lincoln, she tended to wounded soldiers at the Freedmen hospital, and assisted in the contraband camps to destitute refugees. She developed an interest in seeing many of her people settled in the west, and did visit Kansas in the latter years of her life. She died at her home in Battle Creek Michigan in 1883.

Family: Parents Unknown. Husband--Thomas (slave of Dumont) Son Peter

Place of Death: Battle Creek Michigan

Publications/References: Journey Toward Freedom: The Story of Sojourner Truth by Jacqueline Bernard; Sojourner Truth: God’s Faithful Pilgrim 1938 by Arthur Huff

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