Sojourner Truth
Item
Description
Sojourner Truth is rarely mentioned in the histories of Ulster County. Her story highlights an unflattering underside of the growth of the county, viz. the reliance on slave and indentured servant labor. The Dutch and Portuguese were the principal slave traders from Africa, and by 1800 New York was the northern state with the most slaves. Important Dutch-origin persons in Ulster, Kings and Richmond headed the opposition to abolition of slavery in New York. To be fair, a statue of Sojourner Truth stands near the county office building in Kingston.
Northern slavery was substantially different from that in the South, where large groups of slaves were kept on large plantations. In the North, slaves rarely numbered more than four or five in any family.
Northern slavery was substantially different from that in the South, where large groups of slaves were kept on large plantations. In the North, slaves rarely numbered more than four or five in any family.
Date Created
most recent revision: December 18, 2001
Type
Photograph
