Sojourner Truth Original Documents at the Ulster County Courthouse

Decades before she took her fabled name, famed abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth was born into slavery here in Ulster County under the name Isabella.  It was as Isabella that the young Truth took action to secure the return of her 5-year son, Peter, who had been illegally sold to in plantation in Alabama.  With the help of local attorneys, Isabella filed a Habeas Corpus Petition in the Ulster County Courthouse in March of 1828.  And it was this Isabella that prevailed on that Petition for her son’s freedom, marking the first time in American history that a Black woman sued a white man – and won.

For decades, local historians believed that no documents from this historic case had survived, other than the Recognizance Bond issued by the Ulster County Court held in the Archives of the Ulster County Clerk.  Or so we thought.

Earlier this year, the original Petition and supporting documents from Sojourner Truth’s groundbreaking lawsuit – including her own Affidavit – were discovered in the New York State Archives in Albany.  As our community celebrates Juneteenth, these documents as well the Recognizance Bond will be on display in the Ulster County Courthouse for the first time since 1828, when they set into motion this pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

Come join us on June 15^th at Noon in the Ulster County Courthouse on 285 Wall Street in Kingston – the very site of Sojourner Truth’s momentous triumph– and see the actual documents that began this remarkable woman’s life-long fight for truth and freedom.   Among those to share the day will be Sojourner Truth’s 6^th great-granddaughter, Barbara Allen and Professor Nell Irvin Painter, author of the seminal biography of Sojourner Truth, “Sojourner Truth: A Life, a Symbol.”

THE DISPLAY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING FROM NOON – 4 PM

The event is open to the public, though please note that Covid Restrictions and Protocols will be in effect.  The event will also be livestreamed for those that can’t attend.  To watch the livestream, use the below link-tab:

Welcome to VirtualCourt (nycourts.gov)  (Password: 1234)

For questions, please call the Ulster County Surrogates Court at (845) 481-9343, the Ulster County Clerk’s Office at (845) 340-3040 or the Commissioner of Juror’s Office at (845) 481-9384.