Case Study #3
Austin Steward and Sojourner Truth
DAY
3
I can analyze primary sources to learn how Black people resisted the horrible conditions of enslavement.
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Learning Target
Check-In
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Show the class with your fingers which number ‘duck’ represents how you’re feeling today?
What to Expect: Today’s Lesson
Warm Up
Vocabulary
Superhero Roles
Learning target
Key definitions
Gathering, Using, & Interpreting Evidence
Questions
Wrap-up what we learned
Warm Up
Gathering, Using, &
Interpreting Evidence
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Vocabulary
Definitions to consider
Definition:
An individual forced to work for no pay and without freedom.
Example:
Lloyd Colbert was enslaved in Lyons and Canandaigua by the Dorsey family, who forced him to work for no pay and without freedom. After he won his freedom, he became an important member of the Canandaigua community, “respected by everyone who knew [him].”
SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY TO CONSIDER
Enslaved Person (noun)
Lloyd Colbert
I can analyze primary sources to learn how Black people resisted the horrible conditions of enslavement.
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Learning Target
Check-In
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Show the class with your fingers which number ‘duck’ represents how you’re feeling today?
Definitions to consider
Definition:
An individual forced to work for no pay and without freedom.
Example:
Lloyd Colbert was enslaved in Lyons and Canandaigua by the Dorsey family, who forced him to work for no pay and without freedom. After he won his freedom, he became an important member of the Canandaigua community, “respected by everyone who knew [him].”
SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY TO CONSIDER
Enslaved Person (noun)
Lloyd Colbert
Definition:
An individual who buys and sells human beings and forces them to work for no pay.
Example:
Daniel Penfield enslaved African Americans. He forced them to work for no pay at his home in the Town of Penfield.
(click here for the names of enslavers in Western NY)
SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY TO CONSIDER
Enslaver (noun)
Sculpted by Don Sottile 2010 Schaufelberger Park
Definition:
People who bravely risked their lives to escape from enslavement.
Example:
Thomas James escaped from enslavement in New York by running away to freedom in Canada.
SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY TO CONSIDER
Freedom Seeker (noun)
Social Studies Practices:
Gathering, Using, & Interpreting Evidence
“Twenty Two Years a Slave and Forty Years a Free Man”
“Narrative of Sojourner Truth, a Northern Slave”
Austin Steward
Sojourner Truth
Superhero Roles
SECTION THREE: SUPERHERO ROLES
Adapted from Narrative of Sojourner Truth,a Northern Slave
Introduction: Sojourner Truth was born in the year 1797, in Hurley, New York. She was enslaved for approximately twenty-eight years. When she was ten years old, Sojourner was sold for $100 and some sheep. She was the first African American woman to win a lawsuit in the United States. As a child she was enslaved and forced to work instead of attending school. In order to make her voice heard she chose to have an ally, Olive Gilbert, help write her story.
One of Sojourner Truth’s earliest memories was moving into a new home with her enslaver. The basement, under the hotel, was where the enslaved lived. This basement was so disgusting that Sojourner could not get this memory out of her head. The basement was cold and dark with just a few beams of light coming through a few small windows. Constantly being wet and breathing in unclean air was chilling and bad for their health. Her body trembles every time she thinks back to these memories and revisits the basement in her mind.
Before Sojourner Truth left her old enslaver, he sold her young son who was only five years old. He was sold to a doctor who planned on taking him from New York City to England. The doctor thought he was too small to work so he was passed to several other enslavers before he ended up with a wealthy enslaver in Alabama.
Sojourner Truth was devastated and heartbroken at losing her son. She called on Mrs. Gedney, the mother of the enslaver that sold her son, to help. Sojourner cried out for help in being reunited with her son. Mrs. Gedney laughed at Sojourner, saying she would never see her son again.
Sojourner paid a lawyer to take the enslaver to court and help her get her son back. She didn’t give up and they won! The judge ordered that Sojourner’s son be returned to her.
Excerpt: Narrative of Sojourner Truth, a Northern Slave
The Credible Hulk (Authenticator – Sourcer) Your task is to determine whether or not the document/artifact is reliable (can you trust this?). Is the document/artifact credible (reliable/believable)? Why or why not? | Captain Context (Historian – Context Connector) Your task is to determine the historical context for the document/artifact. When and where was the artifact created/written? What do you know about this time and place? |
Type Here | Type Here |
The Connector (Main Idea Connector) Your task is to determine the “gist” -the main idea(s) of the document/artifact. Then complete the following statement: “This says that... | Mister E (Impact Analyzer – Purpose Finder) You task is to solve the mystery of the purpose of this document/artifact. What is the goal/purpose of the creator/author? What perspective is missing? |
Type Here | Type Here |
Adapted from Twenty Two Years a Slave Forty Years a Freeman 1857
Introduction: Just a few years before the Civil War a Rochester man, Austin Steward, published a book about his life. In the book he describes being enslaved in New York State. In the excerpt below, Steward describes his decision to escape from enslavement with his friend Milly in April 1814.
Original Text | Optional Zoom Out Activity
Milly had been enslaved by Captain Helm. She now took matters into her own hands. She decided she would be enslaved no longer and it was time to run away to be free from her enslaver or die trying. I decided I would join her on this escape. As the dark night came we started off. We traveled all night and when the sun rose we stopped for a while at a friend’s place.
But I was not let go so easily. Captain Helm sent several men after me as soon as he found out I left. I began to feel tired so I decided to rest. Luckily I saw the men coming right before they got to the house where I was. I took off running towards the woods as my life depended on it. I wasn’t armed (with weapons) like the men were, but was willing to fight hard for the freedom I always dreamed. Luckily, they didn’t see me before I reached the woods. I hid there for a while, which gave me time to think about the cruelty of my enslavers.
Why did I have to run away from my home?
Why was I running for my life, hungry and hiding in the woods like a thief in the night...WHY?
What crime did I commit?
Why are armed men hunting for me like I am an animal?
All I wanted was the same liberty (freedom) as the men who fought for freedom from English rule. I chose to claim my body as my own and remove myself from enslavement.
After resting and thinking for a while, I continued on my journey until meeting up with a man named Dennis Comstack, the president of the antislavery society. I explained my story to him and he helped me. He wrote to his brother who hired me for the season. I lived with him for nearly four years.
When I arrived there I was about twenty-two years of age, and felt for the first time in my life that I was in control of my own destiny. I cannot describe what a proud feeling came over me when I earned my first paycheck and was allowed to sit at the same table with others.
Excerpt: Twenty Two Years a Slave Forty Years a Freeman
The Credible Hulk (Authenticator – Sourcer) Your task is to determine whether or not the document/artifact is reliable (can you trust this?). Is the document/artifact credible (reliable/believable)? Why or why not? | Captain Context (Historian – Context Connector) Your task is to determine the historical context for the document/artifact. When and where was the artifact created/written? What do you know about this time and place? |
Type Here | Type Here |
The Connector (Main Idea Connector) Your task is to determine the “gist” -the main idea(s) of the document/artifact. Then complete the following statement: “This says that... | Mister E (Impact Analyzer – Purpose Finder) You task is to solve the mystery of the purpose of this document/artifact. What is the goal/purpose of the creator/author? What perspective is missing? |
Type Here | Type Here |
GROUP QUESTIONS
25
I can analyze primary sources to learn how Black people resisted the horrible conditions of enslavement.
Learning Target
How did Black people resist the horrible conditions of enslavement?
Round One:
Circle Agreements
Sojourner Truth
Austin Steward
ACADEMIC CIRCLE
What were the conditions of enslavement that Sojourner Truth and Austin Steward faced?
Round Two:
Circle Agreements
Sojourner Truth
Austin Steward
ACADEMIC CIRCLE
What does this quote from the author Maya Angelou mean to you?
What zone are you in? What’s a tool you can use to help you feel more in control?
SEL: Optimistic Closure
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
-Maya Angelou
Zones of Regulation What zone are you in? | |||
Blue Zone | Green Zone | Yellow Zone | Red Zone |
Bored | Happy | Excited | Upset |
Tired | Positive | Worried | Angry |
Sad | Thankful | Nervous | Aggressive |
Depressed | Proud | Confused | Mad |
Shy | Calm | Embarrassed | Terrified |
I can analyze primary sources to learn how Black people resisted the horrible conditions of enslavement.
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Learning Target
Check-In
SECTION ONE: WARM UP
Show the class with your fingers which number ‘duck’ represents how you’re feeling today?
Definitions to consider
“Twenty Two Years a Slave and Forty Years a Free Man”
“Narrative of Sojourner Truth, a Northern Slave”
Austin Steward
Sojourner Truth
Superhero Roles
SECTION THREE: SUPERHERO ROLES
Adapted from Twenty Two Years a Slave Forty Years a Freeman 1857
Introduction: Just a few years before the Civil War a Rochester man, Austin Steward, published a book about his life. In the book he describes being enslaved in New York State. In the excerpt below, Steward describes his decision to escape from enslavement with his friend Milly in April 1814.
Original Text | Optional Zoom Out Activity
Milly had been enslaved by Captain Helm. She now took matters into her own hands. She decided she would be enslaved no longer and it was time to run away to be free from her enslaver or die trying. I decided I would join her on this escape. As the dark night came we started off. We traveled all night and when the sun rose we stopped for a while at a friend’s place.
But I was not let go so easily. Captain Helm sent several men after me as soon as he found out I left. I began to feel tired so I decided to rest. Luckily I saw the men coming right before they got to the house where I was. I took off running towards the woods as my life depended on it. I wasn’t armed (with weapons) like the men were, but was willing to fight hard for the freedom I always dreamed. Luckily, they didn’t see me before I reached the woods. I hid there for a while, which gave me time to think about the cruelty of my enslavers.
Why did I have to run away from my home?
Why was I running for my life, hungry and hiding in the woods like a thief in the night...WHY?
What crime did I commit?
Why are armed men hunting for me like I am an animal?
All I wanted was the same liberty (freedom) as the men who fought for freedom from English rule. I chose to claim my body as my own and remove myself from enslavement.
After resting and thinking for a while, I continued on my journey until meeting up with a man named Dennis Comstack, the president of the antislavery society. I explained my story to him and he helped me. He wrote to his brother who hired me for the season. I lived with him for nearly four years.
When I arrived there I was about twenty-two years of age, and felt for the first time in my life that I was in control of my own destiny. I cannot describe what a proud feeling came over me when I earned my first paycheck and was allowed to sit at the same table with others.
Excerpt: Twenty Two Years a Slave Forty Years a Freeman
The Credible Hulk (Authenticator – Sourcer) Your task is to determine whether or not the document/artifact is reliable (can you trust this?). Is the document/artifact credible (reliable/believable)? Why or why not? | Captain Context (Historian – Context Connector) Your task is to determine the historical context for the document/artifact. When and where was the artifact created/written? What do you know about this time and place? |
Type Here | Type Here |
The Connector (Main Idea Connector) Your task is to determine the “gist” -the main idea(s) of the document/artifact. Then complete the following statement: “This says that... | Mister E (Impact Analyzer – Purpose Finder) You task is to solve the mystery of the purpose of this document/artifact. What is the goal/purpose of the creator/author? What perspective is missing? |
Type Here | Type Here |
How did Black people resist the horrible conditions of enslavement?
Round One:
Circle Agreements
Sojourner Truth
Austin Steward
ACADEMIC CIRCLE
What does this quote from the author Maya Angelou mean to you?
What zone are you in? What’s a tool you can use to help you feel more in control?
SEL: Optimistic Closure
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
-Maya Angelou
Zones of Regulation What zone are you in? | |||
Blue Zone | Green Zone | Yellow Zone | Red Zone |
Bored | Happy | Excited | Upset |
Tired | Positive | Worried | Angry |
Sad | Thankful | Nervous | Aggressive |
Depressed | Proud | Confused | Mad |
Shy | Calm | Embarrassed | Terrified |
Geneva Gazette, April 12,1814.
EXTENSION
Notes: Austin Steward and Milly escaped in April 1814
Reward: $40 in 1810 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,033.08 today
Escape route: 45 mile walk from Bath to Canandaigua. Would take a minimum of 16 hours on modern roads. It likely took much longer.