The Town of Esopus is
proud that Sojourner Truth, the famed abolitionist and advocate for women’s rights,
was born here. She was born into slavery, grew up, raised a family, and was owned by
several families in the town. Aside from a State marker placed near the site of her birth,
there are no monuments or memorials to this famous woman in our town.
A committee consisting of local ministers along with community residents has
been assigned the task of raising funds to erect a statue of Sojourner Truth. Our goal is
to raise $150,000 for the statue and for interpretive plaques. Several fund raising events
are being planned, including publication for sale of a book created by local school
children and a concert.
A Brief History of Sojourner Truth in Esopus
*1797 Born on the farm of Johannes Hardenbergh along the Swartkill in Rifton. She was
named Isabella.
*1800 On the death of Johannes, Isabella become the inherited property of Charles
Hardenbergh, who also has property in Rifton.
*1808 Charles dies, and Isabella is listed in his estate inventory. She is sold on the
auction block along with a flock of sheep to an Englishman, John Nealy. She lives in his
store along the Rondout Creek.
*1809 Isabella is sold to Martinus Schryver, a tavern owner and farmer who lived in what
is now Port Ewen, possibly on the site of the former Town Hall.
*1810 Isabella is sold again to a farmer, John Dumont of West Park. She lives and works
here until 1826. She marries an older slave with whom she has 4 children.
*1826 After being promised her freedom a year before she would have received it under the
laws of NY State, and John Dumont reneging on his promise, Isabella leaves at dawn on day
with her infant daughter and seeks refuge with the Van Wagenen family in St. Remy.
*1827 Isabella’s son Peter is illegally taken out of New York and brought to Alabama
where he has no prospect of freedom.
Isabella goes to the County Court House in Kingston, NY where she petitions the Grand Jury
to have her son returned to her. She wins her case, being the first black woman to do so,
and is reunited with Peter.
*1829 Isabella leaves Esopus for New York City, beginning her incredible journey where she
becomes the inspirational Sojourner Truth.
