The Narrative of Sojourner Truth | Page 3

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This book is put on-line as part of the BUILD-A-BOOK Initiative at
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www.cs.cmu.edu/~mmbt/women/truth/1850/1850.html

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth (1850) Dictated by Sojourner Truth
(ca.1797-1883); Edited by Olive Gilbert

NARRATIVE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH
Written by Olive Gilbert, based on information provided by Sojourner
Truth.
1850

CONTENTS
HER BIRTH AND PARENTAGE ACCOMMODATIONS HER
BROTHERS AND SISTERS HER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION THE
AUCTION DEATH OF MAU-MAU BETT LAST DAYS OF
BOMEFREE DEATH OF BOMEFREE COMMENCEMENT OF
ISABELLA'S TRIALS IN LIFE TRIALS CONTINUED HER
STANDING WITH HER NEW MASTER AND MISTRESS
ISABELLA'S MARRIAGE ISABELLA AS A MOTHER
SLAVEHOLDER'S PROMISES HER ESCAPE ILLEGAL SALE OF
HER SON IT IS OFTEN DARKEST JUST BEFORE DAWN DEATH
OF MRS. ELIZA FOWLER ISABELLA'S RELIGIOUS
EXPERIENCE NEW TRIALS FINDING A BROTHER AND SISTER
GLEANINGS THE MATTHIAS DELUSION FASTING THE CAUSE
OF HER LEAVING THE CITY THE CONSEQUENCES OF
REFUSING A TRAVELLER A NIGHT'S LODGING SOME OF HER
VIEWS AND REASONINGS THE SECOND ADVENT
DOCTRINES ANOTHER CAMP-MEETING LAST INTERVIEW
WITH HER MASTER
CERTIFICATES OF CHARACTER

NARRATIVE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH

HER BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.
THE subject of this biography, SOJOURNER TRUTH, as she now
calls herself-but whose name, originally, was Isabella-was born, as near
as she can now calculate, between the years 1797 and 1800. She was
the daughter of James and Betsey, slaves of one Colonel Ardinburgh,
Hurley, Ulster County, New York.
Colonel Ardinburgh belonged to that class of people called Low Dutch.
Of her first master, she can give no account, as she must have been a
mere infant when he died; and she, with her parents and some ten or
twelve other fellow human chattels, became the legal property of his
son, Charles Ardinburgh. She distinctly remembers hearing her father
and mother say, that their lot was a fortunate one, as Master Charles
was the best of the family,-being, comparatively speaking, a kind
master to his slaves.
James and Betsey having, by their faithfulness, docility, and respectful
behavior, won his particular regard, received from him particular
favors-among which was a lot of land, lying back on the slope of a
mountain, where, by improving the pleasant evenings and Sundays,
they managed to raise a little tobacco, corn, or flax; which they
exchanged for extras, in the articles of food or clothing for themselves
and children. She has no remembrance that Saturday afternoon was
ever added to their own time, as it is by some masters in the Southern
States.

ACCOMMODATIONS.
Among Isabella's earliest recollections was the removal of her master,
Charles Ardinburgh, into his new house, which he had built for a hotel,
soon after the decease of his father. A cellar, under this hotel, was
assigned to his slaves, as their sleeping apartment,-all the slaves he
possessed,