Mona Gates

Born Isabella Bomfree in New York to James Baumfree and Elizabeth Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was an enslaved woman who was bought and sold 4 times. She had between 10 and 12 siblings. In 1815, she united with an enslaved man, Thomas, and they had 5 children. Eleven years later, towards the end of 1826, and after enduring a lot of abuse in her relationship, she ran away with her infant daughter to an abolitionist family - the Van Wageners. Approximately one year later New York freed enslaved people and the Van Wageners bought her freedom for $20. At that time, $20 was the equivalent of about $507.00 in 2023. Sojourner then successfully sued for the return of her son Peter who was 5 years old at the time and had been illegally sold into Alabama. Soon after, she moved to New York City - in 1828 - and began working for a minister. Becoming a part of religious revivals, "Isabella Baumfree" renamed herself "Sojourner Truth" around 1843. As an itinerant preacher, Sojourner met prominent abolitionists and they encouraged her to speak about her experiences as an enslaved person and about the evils of slavery. Although she couldn't read or write, she did dictate her autobiography, "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth". The autobiography made her famous and also gave her a steady income. As a result. she began to meet women's rights and temperance advocates. Sojourner quickly embraced these movements and began working to promote them. At nearly 6 feet tall, Sojourner was an imposing speaker and in high demand. While continuing to speak throughout the Country, she settled in Battle Creek, Michigan in the 1850s to live close to three of her daughters who lived in the area. During the Civil War, she organized supplies for Black troops and urged men to join the Union Army. After the War, she worked to help freed slaves find jobs. Her reputation grew and she became so well known that she was invited to the White House. A powerful and hardworking woman, Sojourner spoke about civil rights - abolition, women's rights, and prison reform, as well as against capital punishment - throughout her life. Nearly blind and deaf towards the end of her life, she was cared for by 2 of her daughters. According to a reporter from the Grand Rapids Eagle who interviewed her several days before she died, "Her face was drawn and emaciated and she was apparently suffering great pain. Her eyes were very bright and mind alert although it was difficult for her to talk." Nearly 1000 people attended her funeral in Battle Creek and Frederick Douglass offered a eulogy for her in Washington, D.C.: "Venerable for age, distinguished for insight into human nature, remarkable for independence and courageous self-assertion, devoted to the welfare of her race, she has been for the last forty years an object of respect and admiration to social reformers everywhere." The original November 27th 1883 obituary in the New York Times for Sojourner is included below at Sojourner Truth’s Original New York Times Obituary From 1883. Note: It seems that the obituary is littered with less than accurate information, including her age at death, when slavery was abolished in NY state, etc.