Dr. Michelle Chresfield

So she is actually forced to marry another enslaved man owned by the Dumont family called Thomas. But interestingly enough, this is not the first man that she falls in love with. She actually falls in love with a young man named Robert, who was owned by a neighboring family. And Robert and Isabella very much loved each other. But Robert's owner did not want him with Isabella.

So she is actually forced to marry another enslaved man owned by the Dumont family called Thomas. But interestingly enough, this is not the first man that she falls in love with. She actually falls in love with a young man named Robert, who was owned by a neighboring family. And Robert and Isabella very much loved each other. But Robert's owner did not want him with Isabella.

And Robert actually defies his enslaver and goes to see Isabella, and he is beaten within an inch of his life, which really kind of breaks his spirit to continue to kind of disobey. And so that relationship ends, which allows Isabella to be free to partner with Thomas. We don't know a lot about Thomas, but they have a general affection for one another, and they have five children together.

And Robert actually defies his enslaver and goes to see Isabella, and he is beaten within an inch of his life, which really kind of breaks his spirit to continue to kind of disobey. And so that relationship ends, which allows Isabella to be free to partner with Thomas. We don't know a lot about Thomas, but they have a general affection for one another, and they have five children together.

Diana, Peter, Elizabeth, Sophia, and a fifth unknown child.

Diana, Peter, Elizabeth, Sophia, and a fifth unknown child.

Yes, that's absolutely right. Desiree Birch, you remain my best student.

Yes, that's absolutely right. Desiree Birch, you remain my best student.

Yeah, no, she's racking up the degree. She's a credentialed woman. But to get back to your point, you know, Isabella gets her freedom, but it's not an easy feat. So in 1799, New York State passes the Gradual Emancipation Act.

Yeah, no, she's racking up the degree. She's a credentialed woman. But to get back to your point, you know, Isabella gets her freedom, but it's not an easy feat. So in 1799, New York State passes the Gradual Emancipation Act.

And according to the act, children born to enslaved women after July 4th, 1799 are born free, but are required to serve a period of indentured servitude ending at 28 for men and 25 for women. And they do this because state leaders were very concerned about the state instantaneously losing its labor force, right? And so they wanted to transition away from slave labor.

And according to the act, children born to enslaved women after July 4th, 1799 are born free, but are required to serve a period of indentured servitude ending at 28 for men and 25 for women. And they do this because state leaders were very concerned about the state instantaneously losing its labor force, right? And so they wanted to transition away from slave labor.

In 1811, the state of New York announces that enslaved people born before 1799 will be free on July 4th, 1827. But it retained the provision of the 1799 Act. for children born after 1799. Essentially, Isabella is poised to be free, but not her five children.

In 1811, the state of New York announces that enslaved people born before 1799 will be free on July 4th, 1827. But it retained the provision of the 1799 Act. for children born after 1799. Essentially, Isabella is poised to be free, but not her five children.

Yeah, right?

Yeah, right?

Right, absolutely. And so because of the act, the children are basically going to be laborers for the owner of the mother until they reach 28 for the young men, 25 for the women. Isabella tries to bargain for her own emancipation in 1826. and an early emancipation, which Dumont grants on the condition that Isabella would, quote, do well and be faithful.

Right, absolutely. And so because of the act, the children are basically going to be laborers for the owner of the mother until they reach 28 for the young men, 25 for the women. Isabella tries to bargain for her own emancipation in 1826. and an early emancipation, which Dumont grants on the condition that Isabella would, quote, do well and be faithful.

And so if she does well and does her work, he agrees to free her one year early. So on July 4th, 1826. However, when that date arrives, Dumont went back on his word and argued that Isabella... Oh, who needs to be faithful? Not Dumont. Not Dumont. And so one of the reasons that he makes this claim is that she has an injury. She hurts her hand. And so she can't work at the full capacity.

And so if she does well and does her work, he agrees to free her one year early. So on July 4th, 1826. However, when that date arrives, Dumont went back on his word and argued that Isabella... Oh, who needs to be faithful? Not Dumont. Not Dumont. And so one of the reasons that he makes this claim is that she has an injury. She hurts her hand. And so she can't work at the full capacity.