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141 His [Peter’s] letters are inserted here for preservation, in case they prove the last she ever hears from him in this world. — narrative of sojourner truth As a sojourner, he shall be with thee . . . unto the year of jubilee. . . . For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. — lev. 25:40, 42 Even the Spirit of Truth . . . dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. — john 14:17 chapter 9 “The Spirit Calls Me There” a sojourner is chosen I Isabella’s son Peter grew into a tall, well-formed, active young man with a cheerful, mild disposition and a generous and winning personality.1 But racism stifled his prospects, and unemployment among black males was high. Most worked as porters, peddlers, chimney sweeps, and tub men (night workers who gathered and emptied privies or collected manure). A few semiskilled blacks were cartmen’s helpers, horse groomers, and coachmen, but artisan trades and factory work were largely closed to them. Immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, or “from beyond the seas” dominated apprenticeships. Only one black youth appeared on the New York City Apprentice Register for the 1830s; he trained as a “servant,” and unlike whites, received no pay for most of his three-year contract.2 While Isabella urged Peter to become a productive, responsible young man, many forces worked against him. Economic disadvantage, Isabella’s preoccupation with her reform and religious engagements, and the alluring excitement of the streets all contributed to Peter becoming a street urchin and petty criminal. He and his friends roamed the city seeking fun and mischief. They burglarized homes and businesses, 142 sojourner truth and the antislavery apostles stole from private citizens, and fenced stolen loot on street corners and at tavern hangouts. Peter and his associates made up an underclass of black youth culture similar to the b’hoys, their white counterparts—young, tough, swaggering blacks in flashy dress and sporting unusual hairstyles. While modesty was the watchword for the black middle and religious classes, the street people preferred a colorful lifestyle.3 Lying to white authority was a part of life for rebellious black youth, who artfully concealed their real identities. They were automatic suspects when crimes were committed, and a white property owner’s accusation brought charges, and even conviction. Peter’s habitual alias, “Peter Williams,” appeared frequently in police records. He also used Jim or James Williams, appropriations of his deceased grandfather’s and brother’s name. Besides using an alias, Peter sometimes further concealed his identity by misquoting his age, and listing Isabella as “Betsy Williams,” a diminutive of his grandmother’s and sister’s name. Peter’s trail of petty crime began at the age of eleven. In July 1830, Peter Williams and George Pine allegedly stole a gold watch and chain. Although found guilty, the boys were discharged. Two weeks later, a bench warrant was issued for Peter “and other black boys unknown to the deponent” for stealing two silver spoons worth $2.50. Again, he was released. In September 1830, Peter reportedly stole nine silver spoons from Cornelius Vanderbilt. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months in the New York City Penitentiary (the Tombs) but again was released.4 Isabella aided her son repeatedly, but his brushes with the law continued for some time. Then, for nearly four years, police and court records are silent on Peter. Since he was not with Isabella in either commune, he was probably back in Ulster County, and returned to New York after the Matthias kingdom dissolved. In September 1834, Peter Williams was back in court; he and his friends were convicted of two counts of burglary and sentenced to a total of ten years in state prison.5 That should have put him away for some time. Isabella was in the throes of the Matthias imbroglio, and no doubt the legal connections she had at that time secured Peter’s release. Later that fall, while the newspapers scandalized his mother, Peter and his buddies struck again. The district attorney charged Peter Williams—“alias Jim Williams”—and others with rowing (in a stolen boat) to Blackwell’s Island, breaking into a shoe store, and stealing shoes, leather, and cobbling boots. Despite the seriousness of this accusation, Peter was released. In 1836, Peter Williams reportedly stole a watch, but was discharged. The Ulster County folk predicted that Isabella’s son seemed destined for prison or...

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