JOURNAL ARTICLE

ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE: In an 1828 New York Supreme Court case, Isabella Van Wagenen, later Sojourner Truth, obtained her son's freedom from enslavement.

  • Published In: New York Archives, 2025, v. 24, n. 4. P. 24 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: FOLTS, JAMES D. 3 of 3

Abstract

In 1828, Isabella Van Wagenen, later known as Sojourner Truth, successfully fought for her son Peter's freedom from enslavement in an 1828 New York Supreme Court case. Isabella utilized the New York law of 1799 for the gradual abolition of slavery to recover her son, who had been illegally sent into slavery in the South. With the help of capable lawyers, including Herman M. Romeyn and John Van Buren, Isabella obtained her son's freedom through the common-law writ of habeas corpus. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:New York Archives. 2025/04, Vol. 24, Issue 4, p24
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1535-7813
  • Accession Number:184187668
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