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Top 20 Sensational Facts about Sojourner Truth

Originally published by Nellian on March 2022. Edited by Charity K on May 2023 and Updated by Charity K on January 2024.

Sojourner Truth was an American activist for human rights with a keen interest in women’s rights. She was a preacher too and an abolitionist. She was born in 1797 in Swartekill, New York, (no records for specific month or date). She was born to enslaved parents. Truth’s father was James and his mother was Elizabeth Baumfree (Bomefree).

Truth was sold as a slave from childhood and served different masters up to 1826 when she went out to freedom. Her freedom in 1826 marked Sojourner Truth’s fresh start. She changed her name, became an evangelist, and began the fight for humanity.

Sojourner Truth had a stunning way, she moved the crowds with her words. This made her known for her famous speech in Akron, Ohio during the 1951 Ohio, Women’s Rights Convention. She fought for women and African Americans her entire life after her freedom in 1826.

Get to know Sojourner Truth’s startling realities in this; Top 15 Sensational Facts about Sojourner Truth.

Read more about famous people who shaped black history here.

1. Truth was sold as a slave in her childhood

Statute of Sojourner Truth as a young slave girl, in Esopus, Ulster County, New York, by Vagirl38-

Truth’s enslaved parents James and Elizabeth Baumfree lived with their children in the estate of their slave master, Colonel Hardenberg. The estate was in Swartekill a Dutch name referring to an area just north of modern-day Rifton, Esopus, New York, 95 miles (153 km) north of New York City.

Charles’s estate was an inheritance from his father. He continued enslaving people on the property, among them Sojourner’s family. In 1806, Hardenberg died. Sojourner Truth was only nine(9) years. She was auctioned to John Neely with a flock of sheep for $100.

She moved to her master’s estate in New York’s Kingston area. Truth had Dutch as her native language and learned English later. But, Truth spoke English with a Dutch accent rather than expected Black slave English which offended her master. So, Neely as per Truth was harsh and cruel beating her daily even at some point with a bundle of rods.

Her second master was Martinus Schryver who bought her for $105 in 1808. Schryver lived in Port Ewen, New York, and was her master for about one and a half years.

In 1810, Sojourner Truth was bought by John Dumont living in New York’s West Park. Truth’s life was difficult under Dumont as she had to endure harassment by Dumont’s wife Elizabeth, as well as persevering, being raped by Dumont. Sojourner served Dumont up to 1826 when she took the walk to freedom.

2. Sojourner Truth was haunted by the beating of her enslaved lover all her life

Sojourner found love with Robert about 1815 approximately 18 years of age. Robert was an enslaved man on a nearby farm. Robert was enslaved to  Charles Carton Junior, who was against Robert’s relationship with Truth. Carton forbid his slaves from marrying others he was not their master because he would not own the children born.

Robert once sneaked to see Truth. When Charles found out, he beat him brutally to the intervention of Dumont(Truth’s master). Sojourner Truth and Robert never met after the incident, and he died a few years later. Truth was haunted by the experience her entire life.

3. Sojourner Truth married her master’s older male slave

Sojourner Truth married  Thomas who was enslaved to her master Dumont but older. They had five children: Truth’s first child(James)who died while a child. Diana was born in 1815(alleged to be Dumont’s through rape), Peter was born in 1821, and Elizabeth and Sophia were born in the years 1825 and 1826 respectively.

4. Truth walked out of slavery in 1826

Sojourner Truth-

Sojourner was promised to be let free on 4th July 1826 by her master Dumont. This was triggered by the emancipation legislation that had begun in New York. Truth’s freedom was on the condition that she would be faithful and do well. But, on arrival of the day, Dumont failed to keep his promise. Truth chose to walk off, considering it to be the right thing.

She remarked that she never ran off as she saw it as wicked. Rather, she walked off seeing it as the right thing to do. After fulfilling her obligations to Dumont, she escaped with her youngest child(infant daughter). With no other choice, she left the other children with Dumont, who by law was their legal owner.

Sojourner and her daughter were taken in by Maria and Isaac Van Wagenen as free people. The Van Wagenen鈥檚 residence was in New Paltz, New York. Dumont claimed ownership of Truth from the Van Wagenen. The couple made an offer of  $20 to Dumont to buy Truth’s services from him, for the period until the emancipation law was effected in 1827, and he accepted.

5. Sojourner Truth was the first black woman to win a custody case against a white man

Anti-Slavery in New York was passed into law. Truth learned that Peter, her eldest son, was illegally sold by Dumont. Assisted by the Van Wagenen, Truth filed a lawsuit against Dumont. She prevailed and was granted custody of her son. This made her the first Black woman to sue a white man in a United States court and win.

6. Sojourner Truth’s original name was Isabella Baumfree

Sojourner Truth born (Isabella Baumfree) Photo by Mike Wilkins-

Truth’s original name was Isabella Baumfree. While at the Van Wagenen’s she became a staunch Christian. Later, Truth along with Peter(the eldest son) went to New York City. She worked as a housekeeper for Elijah Pierson, an evangelist preacher.

After three years she went to work for Robert Matthews also a preacher. Truth and Matthews faced theft and poisoning accusations following the death of Pierson. However, they were acquitted.

Sojourner’s hanging around faith-based people strengthened her desire to win converts through preaching. She changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843, in the belief that she was obliged by her  Christian faith to speak truthfully. So, she chose the name Sojourner Truth. She felt that she was called to become a preacher of the gospel, and got to it, while also condemning oppression and slavery.

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7. The evangelist Sojourner Truth’s famous speech “Ain’t I a Woman”

Sojourner joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in 1844. It was a Massachusetts abolitionist organization. As part of her contribution to the movement, she gave a speech centered on Black women’s equality rights. Truth gave her speech at the Ohio Women鈥檚 Rights Convention in 1851.

About a decade later, Sojourner’s speech was later published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard. Frances Gage(white abolitionist) being President of the convention published the speech. Gage pointed out that Truth’s rhetoric 鈥淎r鈥檔鈥檛 I a Woman?鈥� was a reflection of her struggles as a Black woman.

Although controversies have risen on Gage’s publication accuracy, arguing Truth said she had over ten children rather than she had five remains debatable. Over the years, the phrase is referred to as Ain鈥檛 I a Woman. Sojourner Truth gripped her listeners with her rhetoric in all her speeches.

8. Sojourner Truth helped recruit black troops for the Union Army

During the civil war, Truth assisted in the recruitment of black soldiers to the Union Army.

9. The abolitionist, Sojourner Truth was humane

While working for the National Freedman鈥檚 Relief Association in Washington, D.C., Truth mobilized people to make donations to Black refugees in the form of any supplies, inclusive of food and clothes. After the civil war, Truth did her best to find the freed Black Americans jobs as they were highly struck down by poverty.

Although unsuccessful, Sojourner sought to secure land grants from the federal government to resettle formerly enslaved people. A promise referred to as the forty acres and a mule promise.

10. Sojourner Truth’s Recognition

Sojourner Truth Bust Unveiling by Nancy Pelosi-

The crusader Sojourner Truth was consistent with her activism, which was noticed by President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln gave her a White House invitation in October 1864. He also showed her a Bible he had received from the Baltimore African Americans. 

Truth continued her championing for women and African American rights. This elevated Truth to be categorized among the best-known human rights crusaders the world has ever had. She died on November 26, 1883. Her tombstone reads she lived 105 years.

Sojourner Truth has been honored in different ways after her death: A statute of Sojourner Truth in the U.S. Capitol鈥檚 Emancipation Hall was put up in 2009. The Truth was listed among the top 100 All-Time Significant Americans by Smithsonian magazine. Google鈥檚 doodle background of February 1, 2019, was a courthouse picture. This was a depiction of the custody case in which Sojourner prevailed against a white man (Dumont) for selling her elder son (Peter) illegally.

11. The Remembrance of Sojourner Truth

Every year the calendar of saints of the Episcopal Church remembers Truth together with Amelia Bloomer, Harriet Ross Tubman, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton on July 20. On March 10, the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church remembers Truth and Harriet Tubman.

The women of the United States women’s national soccer team wore Truth’s name for their first match of March 2019.

Read more about the legends who shaped black history here.

12. The $10 Bill That Honors Truth

In 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that an image of Truth would appear on the back of the newly designed $10 bill along with Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Alice Paul.

13. Buildings That Are Named After Truth

, , via Wikimedia Commons

In 1971, the library at New Paltz State University of New York was named in her honor. The King’s College which is located inside the Empire State Building in New York City was named The House of Sojourner Truth in 2004.

Rutgers University renamed its College Avenue Apartments to the Truth Apartments. In 2020, elementary schools and K-12 schools in several states were named after Truth.

14. All of Truth’s Books

Over the years, Truth authored numerous books that influenced the African-American community. Some of these books include Ain’t I A Woman, The Book of Life, and The Narrative of Sojourner Truth.

15. The Last Words of Sojourner Truth

On her deathbed, she embraced spiritualism and shared her last words which were “Be a follower of the Lord Jesus.”

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16. Sojourner Truth was an Advocate for Women’s Rights

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As a Black woman in a sexist and racist society, she had no choice but to reject the limitations that were placed on women by society. She used her public platform to advocate for women’s rights as well as defy the expectations that were put on women. She had a great impact on the women’s rights movements and gave Black women a voice.

17. She was a Spiritual Guide and Healer

Sojourner converted to Methodism when she escaped slavery. She believed in God’s guidance in her activism. She later became a lay preacher who would travel around the country and deliver sermons that were focused on social justice, equality, and religious values. Sojourner gained practical knowledge of herbal medicine during her time in bondage and developed a reputation as a skilled healer in communities.

She treated a number of ailments using plants and herbs. She also offered emotional and spiritual support to those who were facing personal struggles. Sojourner was empathetic nature made her a source of solace and strength for many.

18. Sojourner joined the Women’s Temperance Movement

It was an organization of the American temperance movement. She advocated for self-control and moral uprightness. She also championed women’s rights and believed that the movement could empower women by protecting them.

19. She was a Friend of Abraham Lincoln

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout her journey for social justice, she crossed paths with Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Susan B. Anthony. In 1864, Sojourner met Abraham was filled with respect and warmth. After their meeting, she expressed admiration for Abraham. Lincoln also shared his respect for the determination and her contribution to the abolitionist movement.

20. Sojourner was a Vegetarian

Several biographies mention her commitment to healthy living and preference for plant-based foods. In the 19th century, Sojourner participated in many movements some of which advocated for vegetarianism alongside other social reforms. Scholars link her vegetarianism to religious views and ethical concerns about animal welfare. Many people have noted that Sojourner’s path to being vegetarian was linked to her being a healer.