Harriet Tubman is a political activist, an abolitionist who freed hundreds of people from slavery. Being born in slavery, she didn’t want people to experience the same. So, after her escape, she rescued 70 enslaved people through the Underground Railroad network. She carried out 13 missions to rescue the people from bondage. During the civil war, she was the spy for the union army and also an armed scout. In later years, she became a social activist and was involved in the struggle for women’s suffrage. In this article, you can know more about the iconic Harriet Tubman.
Harriet Tubman Born, Siblings & Facts
| Real Name | Harriet Tubman |
|---|---|
| Birthday | Dorchester County, M |
| Birthplace | Dorchester County, M |
| Died | March 10, 1913, Auburn, NY |
| Nationality | African American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Profession | American abolitionist, Political activist |
| Age at death | 93 Year Old |
| Married/Husband | Nelson Davis (m. 1869–1888), John Tubman (m. 1844–1851) |
| Siblings | Mariah Ritty Ross, Rachel Ross, Moses Ross, Soph Ross, Linah Ross, Ben Ross, Henry Ross, Robert Ross |
| Parents | Not Disclosed |
The True Story Behind the Harriet Tubman Movie
“Harriet,” a new film starring Cynthia Erivo, is the first feature film dedicated solely to the American icon
The Early Life of Harriet Tubman
Araminta Ross also known as Harriet Tubman, was born in the year 1822. She was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland. From childhood, she was working as a maid, nurse, cook and a woodcutter. Her slave owner ill-treated Tubman by beating and whipping. One day the owner also threw a metal weight on her head that severely injured her.
Tubman suffered from “Hypersomnia” throughout her life. The slave owners tormented her many times. The beating left scars in her skin, and it was visible throughout her life. As a child, she worked for many slave owners. Her mother started to work in a big house, so Tubman took the responsibility to take care of her siblings. As a teenager, she used to work in the forest to plough and cut logs. Due to her head injury and visions, she became very passionate about God. Even though Tubman was illiterate, her mother read her the bible.
The marriage life of Harriet Tubman
In 1844 she married John Tubman. The children born to the couple were also in slavery. After the marriage, due to her religious beliefs, she changed her first name to Harriet. At this time, she also made plans to escape from slavery. Due to her injuries, Tubman became an ill slave. No buyer would buy her into slavery. In 1849, Tubman and her brothers fled or escaped to Philadelphia. But, Tubman had to leave her other family members and her husband behind. After some time, her brother had second thoughts, so they again returned to slavery. However, Harriet Tubman was resolute to be free. She escaped again alone without her brother.
The underground railway journey
In search of freedom, Harriet Tubman travelled 90 miles through the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania. After her escape, she began to work as a housekeeper. But, she didn’t feel happy without her family. She decided to free her family and friends from slavery. In 1850 she went to her homeland in the hope to free her family from slavery. In her first mission, she freed her niece through the Underground Railroad network. At that time she also tried to rescue her husband, but he got remarried.
Other successful escapes
In 1850 a new fugitive slave act was on the force. This law suggested that free slaves from the north be enslaved. This made the escape missions of Harriet Tubman harder. But, she chose to lead the slaves on winter nights through the Underground Railroad. She made a plan to travel at night through Canada. Also, Harriet Tubman carried a gun for protection. It was a source of encouragement for the people who had second thoughts. When rescuing the children, she drugged them to protect from the slave catchers who might hear the children cry.
For 10 years, Harriet Tubman rescued hundreds of slaves and led them to freedom. She also made friends with other abolitionists such as Thomas Garret, Martha Coffin Wright and Frederick Douglas. During that time she began to establish her Underground Railroad network.
Moreover, it seems that Harriet Tubman rescued nearly 70 people from slavery. It also includes her aged parents and other family members. She never lost a passenger on her journey and instructed the people on how to escape on their own. After freeing nearly hundreds of slaves, Tubman also helped them to find a new job.
Harriet Tubman service in the civil war
In 1861, the civil war began, and Tubman found new ways to fight against slavery. During that time she was recruited to help the slaves in Fort Monroe. She helped the people by working as a nurse, laundress and cook. Due to her prior experience in nursing, she used her knowledge to treat and give medicine to injured soldiers and sick fugitive slaves.
In 1863, Harriet Tubman served as an armed scout for the Union Army. She helped the union by giving them details about the routes that helped them to free the slaves in black regiments. She became the “Head of the Espionage” and helped the army in various missions. She contributed and sacrificed so much for her people and the army. After three decades, her contributions were recognised, and she was honoured with awards.
Life after the civil war
After the civil war, Harriet Tubman and her family settled in Newyork. In the year 1869, she got married to Nelson Davison, a civil war veteran. The couple later adopted a girl child named Gertie. Later, she became a philanthropist and helped anyone in need. She used to sell her garden produce and accepted donations to help people. Even though Harriet Tubman was illiterate, she boldly spoke about women suffrage. In 1896, Tubman opened a home for old age and indigent coloured people. During the year, she also started an open door policy and fought for women’s suffrage.
Death of Harriet Tubman
The head injury of Tubman affected her health from childhood. As the condition got worse, she had to go through major brain surgery. In 1911, she became very ill, and she started to rest in her home. Unfortunately, on March 10, 1913, Harriet Tubman passed away due to pneumonia.
12 Harriet Tubman Quotes to Help You Find the Leader Within
- Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.
- I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was on of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man should take me alive.
- Never wound a snake; kill it.
- I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say; I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.
- Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
- I grew up like a neglected weed – ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.
- I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.
- It wasn’t me, it was the Lord! I always told Him, ‘I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ and He always did.
- Slavery is the next thing to hell.
- And I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that’s what I’ve always prayed for ever since.
- I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.
- I can’t die but once.
Conclusion
Even her death didn’t make Harriet Tubman disappear. Today, many schools, books, movies and documentaries speak about her accomplishments. Her legacy still lives through her deeds. In 2016, Harriet image appeared in the twenty-dollar bill of the United States. Harriet Tubman is a true inspiration for many around the world.
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