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Born
Sojourner Truth is born as the slave, Isabella. The exact date of her birth is only an estimate. -
Purchased by Final Owner
Sojourner Truth is purchased at auction for about $125 USD to her last owner before claiming her freedom. -
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Isabella's Children
During this time span, Isabella gives birth to at least five children. -
Escapes Slavery
Isabella escapes slavery, but is only able to take her youngest daughter (an infant at the time) Sophia. The other three children were not freed by proclamation until they were older. -
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Lawsuit to Save Son
Enters in a long legal battle to save her son Peter who was illegally sold into slavery in Alabama. -
Moves to NYC with son Peter
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Isabella adopts the name Sojourner Truth
At the age of 46, Isabelle changes her name to New York city and travels the states telling the truth and battling the injustices against women and blacks. -
Slaves are Emancipated in New York
The slaves earn their freedom. -
Visits former owner
Sojourner visits John Dumont, her former owner, before he moves west. -
Narrative is published
"Narrative of Sojourner Truth" is published by Olive Gilbert -
Traveling Ministries
Joins the speaker's bureau with other abolitionists, stays with Amy Post, Underground railroad leader. -
Ar'nt I a Woman?
Delivers her famous speech at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio. -
Other Speeches
Confronts Frederick Douglas in Salem, Ohio with her speech "Is God gone?" -
Sojourner Bares All
After being accused of being a man in Silver Lake, Indiana, Sojourner bares her breasts to the audience to prove her gender. -
Visits Honest Abe
Sojourner and her 13 year old grandson go to Washington D.C., where they meet Abraham Lincoln in the white house. -
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Continues activism efforts
Continues to travel between the North and the south working on both suffragist and abolitionist agendas. -
Meets President Grant
Continues to travel around the country, meets President Grant in D.C. as well as several congressman and senators. -
Speech on Negro Freedom Day
Sojourner addresses a packed audience in Boston. She reflects on her time as a slave on the cruel treatment she received from her masters. She reminds the people in the crowd that the blacks living off of government assistance are not any better off than they were in slavery. She proposes letting the blacks move west and giving them land so that they may build their own lives. -
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More Travels
Travels back and forth between the western states and D.C. until she falls ill wtih a leg ulcer in 1874. She returns to Battle Creek Michigan for recovery. -
Book of Life
The third edition of "Narrative of Sojourner Truth" including Truth's "Book of Life" is published. -
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The end of activisim
Sojourner continues to travel and rally against such controversial issues as capital punishment and equality. Is forced to return home on a couple occassions due to the return of the ulcers in her legs. -
Final Trip Home
Sojourner Truth returns home from her travels for the last time. She is again ill with ulcers on both of her legs. She is treated by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg who is rumored to have tried an aggressive form of treatment that included removing his own skin and grafting it onto Truth's body. -
Sojourner Truth's Death
Despite Dr. Kellogg's best efforts, Sojourner Truth died in her home in Battlecreek Michigan. The funeral was held two days later. Her grave can be viewed in Oak Hill Cemetary.