home

=
Sojourner Truth had a big impact on the freedom of slaves and giving them rights. She started at the age of nine when she was sold to John Neely, and his wife beat Sojourner consistantly. During her beating, she used to pray aloud to give herself a practice of religion. Ever since then she has made the decisions to free herself and other African Americans from this terrible thing called slavery. ======

**Vital Stats**
Sojourner Truth's real name is Isabella Baumfree. She was born in 1797 in Swartekill, Ulster County, New York. She died on November 26, 1883 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Sojourner Truth had no education at all. She was born to Elizabeth and James Baumfree and was one of 13 children on the Hardenbergh plantation. She spoke fully Dutch until she was sold to the Neely family. She learned to speak English rather quickly, but had a Dutch accent all of her life because of being raised by Dutch slaveowners who settled in New York. She was illiterate most of her life and dictated her autobiography to someone else to write for herself.

[]


 * Life as a Slave**

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery on the Hardenbergh plantation. She was then sold to John Neely for $100. In the Neely residence, she was beaten often for miscommunications, therefore she begged her dad to help her. She was then sold to Martinus Schryver for $105 where it was still a terrible place to live, but a much more safer place for Sojourner to grow up. After a year and a half, he was sold gain to John Dumount of New Paltz, New York. She experienced harsh abuse here where the things that were done are unspeakable. She fell in love with another slave named Robert, however he was owned by a different owner that did not want them visiting. She did have child with him and four others when she got married to another slave named Tom.

=
Then, in 1999, when abolition increased, Dumount promised Sojourner freedom in a year if she behaved and performed well. Dumount lied and Sojourner was furious. So, she continued to work until she felt she did enough for Dumount and then escaped with her daughter Sophia. She then quoted, "I did not run off, for I thought that wicked, but I walked off, believing that to be all right." Dumount came back to her home to get her back, however Isaac Wagenen bought her from him for $20.======


 * Occupation after Independence**

After she obtained her independence, she worked as a domestic, Elijah Pierson who is a Christian Evangelist. She then met Robert Matthews when he visited Elijah's home. After their encounters, Sojourner Truth started to housekeep for him. A year later, she joined the Matthias Kingdom communal colony established under the leadership of Prophet Matthias located in New York City and later Sing Sing, New York. However, the Kingdom diminished after Prophet Matthias was arrested and tried for the death of Elijah Pierson. Sojourner won the slander siuts. Years later, she joind the utopian Northampton Association which then split up after one year. Next, she worked as a housekeeper for George benson, the brother-in-law of William Lloyd Garrison. Throughout the rest of her life she joined several anti-slavery associations to try and stop the horrible events of slavery from happening again. []
 * Family Life**

Sojourner Truth was born as one of 13 children. Her parents were Elizabeth and James Baumfree. Sojourner Truth met another slave named Robert, during her time as a slave, and had a daughter named Diana shortly after Robert never returned because of life threats by his owner. In 1817, she married a man named Thomas because it was in the will of Dumount that she had to marry him. hse had four children named Peter, James, Elizabeth, and Sophia. Throughout her life, however, she traveled from family to family, plantation to plantation starting all over every time. []
 * Why is Sojourner Truth important?**

Sojourner Truth is important for several reasons. Her whole life was dedicated to stopping slavery and help make African Americans be free and equal. She joined many associations filled with abolitionists to end this horrific act. Even after slavery was abolished she fought to give former slaves land in the "new" West so they can start over as well and live a free life. She traveled the world and preached about stopping slavery, and when she got older she preached about stopping capital punishment. She held a big part of bringing freedom and equality to the United States of America.

[]

[]

[] []