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Certificates of Character

HURLEY, ULSTER Co., Oct. 13th, 1834

This is to certify, that I am well acquainted with Isabella, this colored woman; I have been acquainted with her from her infancy; she has been in my employ for one year, and she was a faithful servant, honest, and industrious; and have always known her to be in good report by all who employed her.

ISAAC S. VAN WAGENER

NEW PALTZ, ULSTER Co., Oct. 13th, 1834

This is to certify, that Isabella, this colored woman, lived with me since the year 1810, and that she has always been a good and faithful servant; and the eighteen years that she was with me, I always found her to be perfectly honest. I have always heard her well spoken of by every one that has employed her.

JOHN J. DUMONT

NORTHAMPTON, March 1850

We, the undersigned having known Isabella (or Sojourner Truth) for several years, most cheerfully bear testimony to her uniform good character, her untiring industry, kind deportment, unwearied benevolence, and the many social and excellent traits which make her worthy to bear her adopted name.

GEO. W. BENSON S. L. HILL A. W. THAYER

BOSTON, March 1850

My acquaintance with the subject of the accompanying Narrative, Sojourner Truth, for several years past, has led me to form a very high appreciation of her understanding, moral integrity, disinterested kindness, and religious sincerity and enlightenment. Any assistance or cooperation that she may receive in the sale of her Narrative, or in any other manner, I am sure will be meritoriously bestowed.

WM. LLOYD GARRISON

  • Certificates of Character – Certificates of character are formal statements in which prominent individuals guarantee, or certify, the quality and character of a slave. Sojourner wished to sell copies of her Narrative and needed certificates of character to receive sufficient recognition. She sold copies of her Narrative for twenty-five cents per copy to support herself financially.
  • employ – the state of being employed
  • report – a quality of reputation
  • testimony – evidence, an open admission
  • industry – diligence in one's work
  • deportment – behavior
  • A. W. Thayer – Alexander Wheelock Thayer (1817 – 1897) was a librarian at Harvard Law School who earned notoriety by writing a biography of Ludwig van Beethoven.
  • meritoriously – honorably
  • bestowed – given
  • Wm. Lloyd Garrison – William Lloyd Garrison (1805 – 1879) was an abolitionist who was responsible for the Liberator newspaper.