Diana Corbin, daughter of Sojourner Truth
Diana Corbin, 1804-1904, was the daughter of Sojourner Truth. A long time resident of Battle Creek, she died on October 24, 1904 in the County Home in Marshall. Below is the text of her obituary, as printed on the front page of the Battle Creek Daily Moon: (Warning, this is an exact transcript of the obituary but it may contain language which is offensive by later standards.)
"Diana Corbin Passed Away at the County House To-day, OVER 100
YEARS OLD, Was Daughter of Sojourner Truth, Well Known in this City," The Battle Creek Daily Moon, October 25, 1904, p. 1.
The death of Mrs. Diana Corbin at the county house near Marshall this morning removes one of the oldest and in a way unique characters of Battle Creek. She was the eldest daughter of Sojourner Truth the celebrated colored woman whose close acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator and her labors gave her a national reputation. Lincoln bestowed on her the title of Libyan Sibyl. As near as can be ascertained Diana was over 100 years old. Her mother was a slave and no one knew her by any other name than Sojourner Truth and her children were born in slavery. There was another daughter, Mrs.
Elizabeth Boyd, also a unique old colored woman and both sisters with the mother enjoyed a popularity seldom accorded to people of their station.
Many of our citizens well remember the tall angular figure of Diana as she walked along the street with always a pleasant word and quaint remark for her acquaintances. On account of the interest felt for the mother and later merited by the daughters, Battle Creek has always taken pride in the fact that these relics of the slave period had been residents of this city. When failing health prevented Mrs. Corbin from supporting herself, she was looked after by friends. For ten years she
was an inmate of Nichols hospital and as long as she was able she performed light tasks about the institution. For two years she made her home with a family in the West End being supported by private subscription. Two years ago last July she was removed to the county
home and has been made comfortable and happy until called to her
reward. The mind as well as body has failed of late, and little wonder when her age is considered. The end came peacefully and she lapsed into
unconsciousness from which she never awoke. Her mother died November 26, 1883.
The funeral will be held in the Presbyterian chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and Rev. William S. Potter, who has always been specially kind and considerate toward Mrs. Corbin, will officiate. A general invitation is extended. The remains will be buried beside her mother and sister in Oak Hill cemetery.