Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who later became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, was an inspiring person to all who knew her or heard about her.
Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who later became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, was an inspiring person to all who knew her or heard about her.
Starting Life as a Slave
Starting Life as a Slave
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, to Harriet "Rit" Green and Ben Ross. Both of Tubman's parents were slaves of Mary Pattison Brodess and Anthony Thompson.
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, to Harriet "Rit" Green and Ben Ross. Both of Tubman's parents were slaves of Mary Pattison Brodess and Anthony Thompson.
Being one of nine children, she and her siblings were easily split up when their owners sold them. For example, Harriet's older sister, Miriah was sold to a plantation owner in Georgia. Harriet was often rented out as a young girl, first just to work in houses and then later, she worked in the fields.
Being one of nine children, she and her siblings were easily split up when their owners sold them. For example, Harriet's older sister, Miriah was sold to a plantation owner in Georgia. Harriet was often rented out as a young girl, first just to work in houses and then later, she worked in the fields.
At the age of 12 years old, Harriet took a blow to the head, (which later caused narcolepsy,) which affected her for the rest of her life, casting dizzy and sleeping spells at random. When she was 25, she married a free African American man named John Tubman.
At the age of 12 years old, Harriet took a blow to the head, (which later caused narcolepsy,) which affected her for the rest of her life, casting dizzy and sleeping spells at random. When she was 25, she married a free African American man named John Tubman.
John and Harriet were happy together from 1844 to 1851, when Harriet decided to escape along the Underground Railroad. John claimed he would rather stay in Maryland with a new wife.
John and Harriet were happy together from 1844 to 1851, when Harriet decided to escape along the Underground Railroad. John claimed he would rather stay in Maryland with a new wife.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the passion and the patience to reach for the stars to change the world. Now I've been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is."
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the passion and the patience to reach for the stars to change the world. Now I've been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is."
Life as a Conductor and War Hero
Life as a Conductor and War Hero
Harriet Tubman was a conductor of the Underground Railroad. In the beginning, Tubman escaped to freedom. It was the day of September 17, 1849 when she escaped.
Harriet Tubman was a conductor of the Underground Railroad. In the beginning, Tubman escaped to freedom. It was the day of September 17, 1849 when she escaped.
To begin, Tubman was one of very few escaped slaves who wasn't caught. She went to the North where there was freedom for escaped slaves. Her first destination was Philadelphia, where she spent two years.
To begin, Tubman was one of very few escaped slaves who wasn't caught. She went to the North where there was freedom for escaped slaves. Her first destination was Philadelphia, where she spent two years.
Over the following years, Tubman led many slaves to their freedom. She returned to the South 19 times. She led over 300 slaves to freedom in the North. Freeing slaves and returning took 10 years all together. By 1860, the reward for her capture was set at 40,000 dollars, dead or alive.
Over the following years, Tubman led many slaves to their freedom. She returned to the South 19 times. She led over 300 slaves to freedom in the North. Freeing slaves and returning took 10 years all together. By 1860, the reward for her capture was set at 40,000 dollars, dead or alive.
As a result of her work on the railroad, Tubman had many tasks for herself during the Civil War. She spied for the Northern territory. She was a laundress, a women who was employed to clean the clothes for the soldiers. She was sent out ahead of main forces to gather information about the enemy's strengths, positions, and movements, and was called a scouter. She was also a cook and a nurse.
As a result of her work on the railroad, Tubman had many tasks for herself during the Civil War. She spied for the Northern territory. She was a laundress, a women who was employed to clean the clothes for the soldiers. She was sent out ahead of main forces to gather information about the enemy's strengths, positions, and movements, and was called a scouter. She was also a cook and a nurse.
Tubman had many assignments as a conductor of the Underground Railroad and as a Civil War participant.
Tubman had many assignments as a conductor of the Underground Railroad and as a Civil War participant.
"I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other."
"I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other."
Life After The Civil War
Life After The Civil War
After the war ended, Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York to take care of her aging parents, who she had helped escape. Tubman's parents had had good support during her absence, but were now in need of financial assistance. She worked as a nurse, writer and activist to help care for them.
After the war ended, Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn, New York to take care of her aging parents, who she had helped escape. Tubman's parents had had good support during her absence, but were now in need of financial assistance. She worked as a nurse, writer and activist to help care for them.
Eventually, Tubman's family, (her brothers and sisters, and some other relatives) moved to accompany her in New York. In 1880, Harriet's mother, Harriet "Rit" Green died of old age and joined her husband, Ben Ross who had also died of old age in 1871.
Eventually, Tubman's family, (her brothers and sisters, and some other relatives) moved to accompany her in New York. In 1880, Harriet's mother, Harriet "Rit" Green died of old age and joined her husband, Ben Ross who had also died of old age in 1871.
After, and even before the deaths of her parents, Harriet had served others as an extremely generous philanthropist*. Although practically penniless, she continued to give and give. Whether donating some amount of money or cooking for and feeding the homeless, she never ran dry.
After, and even before the deaths of her parents, Harriet had served others as an extremely generous philanthropist*. Although practically penniless, she continued to give and give. Whether donating some amount of money or cooking for and feeding the homeless, she never ran dry.
Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia on March 10, 1913. She was surrounded by friends and family, and her last words were, "I go to prepare a place for you."
Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia on March 10, 1913. She was surrounded by friends and family, and her last words were, "I go to prepare a place for you."
*philanthropist - a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others especially by the generous donation of money to good causes such as a charity.
*philanthropist - a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others especially by the generous donation of money to good causes such as a charity.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts
1. Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester Country, Maryland in 1820.
1. Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester Country, Maryland in 1820.
2. She was known as "Moses".
2. She was known as "Moses".
3. She spoke for equal rights for blacks and women.
3. She spoke for equal rights for blacks and women.
4. Tubman was the first woman to lead an army into the Civil War.
4. Tubman was the first woman to lead an army into the Civil War.
5. She married a free man in 1844- John Tubman.
5. She married a free man in 1844- John Tubman.
6. After the Civil War she dedicated her life to helping improve the lives of former slaves in the new-ish world.
6. After the Civil War she dedicated her life to helping improve the lives of former slaves in the new-ish world.
7. She divorced John Tubman- he wanted to stay in Maryland and she did not.
7. She divorced John Tubman- he wanted to stay in Maryland and she did not.
8. She was married again to Nelson Davis - 1869.
8. She was married again to Nelson Davis - 1869.
9. Tubman adopted a girl named Girtie.
9. Tubman adopted a girl named Girtie.
10. Tubman suffered from Narcolepsy - a serious head injury she got while protecting a slave.
10. Tubman suffered from Narcolepsy - a serious head injury she got while protecting a slave.
11. She had brain surgery.
11. She had brain surgery.
12. Tubman died of pneumonia March 10, 1913.
12. Tubman died of pneumonia March 10, 1913.
Research by Ava Hall and Haley Schara