Sojourner Truth Isabella Van Wagenen or Sojourner Truth has been through many obstacles in her life that she was able to overcome.She was born Isabella Hardenbergh. Isabella spoke Dutch, which is why she called her mom Mau Mau- which means mama in Dutch- and she called her dad Baumfree- which means tree in Dutch. She had one brother whom she had met at the time, Peter. The other 10 or 9 were sold away. Belle said her father was "Very tall and straight when young." But in 1799, when Belle was two, her master died. So she and her parents became a property of his son, Charles Hardenbergh. Charles owned a few slaves, a busy hotel, and a gristmill. He liked Belle and her parents. He gave them a little land to grow food of their own.
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Though they still believed in God to save them. The long days in the field devoured Baumfree's strength. So he was no longer the tall, strong man for which he was named. But in 1806, Something drastic happened, Master Charles died. Belle and her mother were to be sold at auction. No one wanted to be burdened with Baumfree. He was too worn out to work so they couldn't sell him. He was crippled and going blind. So the Hardenberghs decided not to sell Mau Mau. She was given permission to freely take care of Baumfree. So finally, when Charles sheep were added to the auction, Belle was sold to a man named John Neely. John owned a store in Kingston, New York. Belle only saw her parents four times with a month between visits after being sold. When Belle was eleven Mau Mau died, and Baumfree died soon after that. Belle now felt lonely. The Neelys was all she had, but she didn't find much comfort there. Mrs. Nelly spoke English, not Dutch which Belle spoke. She described it like this, "If they sent me for a frying pan, not knowing what that was, perhaps I carried them the pot hooks... then, oh! how angry the mistress would be with me!" She was yelled at, sometimes even beaten. In the winter, however, things were …show more content…
Belle, thinking God had answered her prayers, said yes. So Mr.Neely sold Belle. Belle worked hard for the Schrivers. The Schrivers did not beat her, so she wasn't afraid of them as she had been Mr.Neely. Though, in 1810, Belle's life took another turn. She was thirteen and sold again. This time to a farmer named John Dumont. The Dumonts lived in New Paltz, New York. Here, Belle learned to speak English. Mr. Dumont was a nice master, though once he beat Belle. Mr. Dumont loved how hard Belle worked. Mrs. Dumont strongly disliked Belle so she hired two white girls to help her. One tried to sabotage Belle while the other tried to help her. Mr. Dumont made Belle marry Tom, one of his slaves. They got married in 1815 when Belle was 19. Belle and Tom had five children. Diana, who was born in 1815, Peter, who was born in 1820, Elizabeth, who was born in 1825, and Sophia, who was born in 1826. One other baby did not live long enough to be named. In New York, a law was passed to free slaves within its borders. Slaves who worked for more than 20 years would be free on July fourth,1827. Mr. Dumont was so pleased with Belle, he promised to give Belle her free papers one year before he had to, so Belle got to hard work. One day, in 1825, Belle
Though they still believed in God to save them. The long days in the field devoured Baumfree's strength. So he was no longer the tall, strong man for which he was named. But in 1806, Something drastic happened, Master Charles died. Belle and her mother were to be sold at auction. No one wanted to be burdened with Baumfree. He was too worn out to work so they couldn't sell him. He was crippled and going blind. So the Hardenberghs decided not to sell Mau Mau. She was given permission to freely take care of Baumfree. So finally, when Charles sheep were added to the auction, Belle was sold to a man named John Neely. John owned a store in Kingston, New York. Belle only saw her parents four times with a month between visits after being sold. When Belle was eleven Mau Mau died, and Baumfree died soon after that. Belle now felt lonely. The Neelys was all she had, but she didn't find much comfort there. Mrs. Nelly spoke English, not Dutch which Belle spoke. She described it like this, "If they sent me for a frying pan, not knowing what that was, perhaps I carried them the pot hooks... then, oh! how angry the mistress would be with me!" She was yelled at, sometimes even beaten. In the winter, however, things were …show more content…
Belle, thinking God had answered her prayers, said yes. So Mr.Neely sold Belle. Belle worked hard for the Schrivers. The Schrivers did not beat her, so she wasn't afraid of them as she had been Mr.Neely. Though, in 1810, Belle's life took another turn. She was thirteen and sold again. This time to a farmer named John Dumont. The Dumonts lived in New Paltz, New York. Here, Belle learned to speak English. Mr. Dumont was a nice master, though once he beat Belle. Mr. Dumont loved how hard Belle worked. Mrs. Dumont strongly disliked Belle so she hired two white girls to help her. One tried to sabotage Belle while the other tried to help her. Mr. Dumont made Belle marry Tom, one of his slaves. They got married in 1815 when Belle was 19. Belle and Tom had five children. Diana, who was born in 1815, Peter, who was born in 1820, Elizabeth, who was born in 1825, and Sophia, who was born in 1826. One other baby did not live long enough to be named. In New York, a law was passed to free slaves within its borders. Slaves who worked for more than 20 years would be free on July fourth,1827. Mr. Dumont was so pleased with Belle, he promised to give Belle her free papers one year before he had to, so Belle got to hard work. One day, in 1825, Belle