Basic Information
Name: Isaac Van Wagenen
Nickname: Isaac "Good Guy" Van Wagenen, Sojourner's Good Samaritan
Born: October 11th, 1796
Died: October 15th, 1867
Nationality: American
Hometown: Ulster, New York
WORK & EDUCATION
Occupation: Gentleman Farmer
Education: Most likely
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Parents: David Van Wagenen, Maria Sluyter
Siblings: Sally Van Wagenen
Spouse: Maria Van Wagenen
Children: David, Johannes, Jacob, Mary, Harriet, Sarah Van Wagenen
Friends: Sojourner Truth
Foes: John Dumont
Analysis
Never underestimate the little guy. While a minor player in history outside of Ulster County, New York, Isaac and his wife, Maria, were desperately important to Sojourner Truth. And for a very good reason: they were the first to take her in after her escape from John Dumont.
Good Guys Vs. Bad Guys
Both Dumont and Van Wagenen belonged to the Klyn Esopus Dutch Reformed Church, but had one crucial disagreement. Dumont, obviously, felt slavery was in no way against the teachings of a loving God. The Van Wagenens, on the other hand, actually applied logic and were against slavery. They took Belle and her daughter in, encouraged her Methodism and even her preaching, which was beyond unheard of for a newly freed female slave.
When Dumont came to collect his "property"—since Belle didn't even try to hide but openly stayed in the neighborhood—the couple even paid Dumont over $20 dollars for Belle and $5 for Sophia for her housekeeping services for her last year as a slave under the law, letting Isabella settle into mostly free life safely.
While still technically property (and thus given the last name Van Wagner or Wagenen), Belle gained a confidence in herself and her faith that stirred her every move for the rest of her life. That faith shines through in "Ain't I a Woman?"—there's a reason Religion is one of the key themes.