As her master baby is being put to bed, a little African American girl looks out from a window. She doesn’t dream of being a hero, but she wants to be a hero. She is determined to do the right thing for her family. She turns and walks away when someone shouts her name. She would go on to become a popular heroine, someone everyone admires. She would be known by everyone. Harriet Tubman is her name. Harriet Tubman was so successful in her own life. But she never had the intention of becoming what she is today. Yes, she wanted the freedom she had always longed for, but that wasn’t what she thought was possible. She wanted to be free from the pain and suffering she was subjected to. She would begin her life on a Maryland plantation, where she was known as Araminta ‘Minty’ Ross. She would soon be known. Harriet Tubman’s early life, freedom from slavery, and involvement in the Civil War would make her famous.

Minty was born somewhere in Maryland, sometime around the 1820’s. “She claims she was born 1825. But her death certificate and grave records show that her burial date is 1820. Minty was raised in a tiny cabin without windows or furniture. The birth record isn’t written because her parents couldn’t read or write. Edward Brodas was Minty’s slavemaster. Her parents were Harriet Green, Benjamin Ross. Mintys grandmother was also her mother’s aunt. She arrived in Africa aboard a slave vessel. When her grandmother arrived from Africa, she was called Modesty. The Pattison family bought her grandmother. Minty was to have her mother freed from her master after his death. But they didn’t tell her mother. Minty was to be completely free. Mintys grandfather was a fullblood negro who was born 1795. Benjamin was also an accomplished woodsman. Minty began to work as soon as she was able to walk (McDonough, Harriet Tubman 7). Minty didn’t get to go to school or play as much as other children. Her only skill was working. Minty was never able to learn how read and write. Minty had many jobs when she was a kid. Her master would send Minty to other plantations where she would work as a housemaid and take care of the babies. She was too young for the fields (McDonough, Harriet Tubman 11). She once stole sugar from her master. She’d never tasted it before but thought it was delicious. Her temporary master discovered this and began whipping her! Minty wanted to give it a try, but her master was furious and she had to quickly flee. Minty was very fast and ran quickly to escape her furious master. Minty spent five days in a pigpen and fought the pigs to get food scraps. Minty was hungry and needed to return to her master. Minty reluctantly returned with her master. After the incident, she was sent back home to her owner. Her owner sent her to field work. This was difficult for women, but it was hard for her at such a young age. (McDonough, Harriet Tubman 20, McDonough). Minty had heard of field work that allowed freedom, and Minty believed it. Minty saw a man run North from his master while Minty was in the market looking for food. Minty ran to the door and stopped the man from running. Minty was struck in the head with a two-poundweight by the master. Minty was bleeding and unconscious when some people took her back. Minty was accompanied by her mother throughout the recovery process. She would survive, but nobody believed that. Minty suffered a severe head injury from which she had to wear a wrap. Although she healed, she suffered from headaches and sleep spells throughout her life. She was also able to connect with God through field work. She was a lover of the outdoors and the natural beauty that surrounds it. It was all a gift of God to her and she believed that it was meant for her. Minty married John Tubman in 2005, a few decades after that incident. The relationship was not great. Minty even got married to John Tubman a few years later. John Tubman, an African American man who was free, didn’t have to be punished by Minty. The problem of being sold grew. John wasn’t her only threat. Minty had just lost her master and was at great risk of being put up for sale. Minty is brave and courageous, so this was not what she wanted. Minty decided to travel North in search of freedom. Minty was an unusual woman, as she went solo for the first time. The Underground Railroad was her escape route. Underground Railroad was an underground network of shelters and stops that ranaway slaves used to escape. These houses and stops provided shelter and rest for the slaves, as well as help them not to be caught. Slave owners might mark the houses with something or give them a clue that it is safe (McDonough, Who Was Harriet Tubman 45). The town was shocked when Minty arrived. Minty changed her name to signify her 90 mile journey to freedom. She traveled from Araminta Ross “Minty”, to Harriet Tubman. Harriet returned to her husband several years later because she was feeling lonely. She found out that her husband had been married again and she decided to free the slaves on her plantation. She returned many times to free more than 70 others. She was also a conductor for the Underground Railroad. Conductors of Underground Railroad risk their lives to liberate slaves. Only one person would die from the group. This is because they are responsible for all the slaves who travel with them. Harriet became known as Moses after she liberated so many slaves that the south began to put a bounty upon her head. Because of their effectiveness, historians have spent years studying her tactics and methods. They were amazed at Harriet’s ability to conceal and move so much people at once. Harriet kept praying to God. He answered her prayer and showed Harriet the right way. Harriet, who was also known by the name Moses, was called that by both those she liberated and by those who saw her bounty poster. People were amazed at her actions and even more surprised to learn that she was a women. Harriet needed to move people to Canada because of the North’s slave kidnappers. It became dangerous to do so. Proslavery speakers also claimed that Underground Railroad conductors Harriet and other slave thieves were the real kidnappers. Harriet Tubman was actually freeing the kidnapped and doing everyone a favor. After a while she stopped, but only went on very important missions to liberate people. The Civil War began. Harriet Tubman was settled in Canada at the time that the Civil War began. Harriet worked as a nurse, cook, and cook in North America at first. Harriet was employed at the ‘Sick and Wounded Hospital No. 6’. This work was done by her voluntary effort to end slavery. Although the North didn’t want South secede, they also wanted to abolish slavery (McDonough 72, Harriet Tubman 72). Harriet was there to help enslaved citizens return home from war. She looked after all the soldiers, and provided nutritious food. Harriet would feed the soldiers and give them medicine. Later, she was a spy. Colonel James Montgomery asked her personally to become an spy. Harriet worked as a spy on the North side during the civil conflict and was fondly influenced by Abraham Lincoln. Because Lincoln stopped slave shipments, Harriet knew Lincoln would bring an end to slavery. Harriet, who was tiny enough to get through almost any obstacle without being caught, looked perfectly harmless. She was able travel to the South to speak with the blacks. They trusted her, and they shared all information with her. She couldn’t just leave the South and get all her men free, so they had a battle. Harriet was made Commander of Intelligence Operations by the Union army’s Department of the South. There were nine scouts she commanded (McDonough 78, Harriet Tubman 78). Although white men weren’t used to being commanded at the command of women, they quickly learned to respect her. They eventually came to admire her bravery and tried to imitate her. Harriet had been a conductor on the Underground Railroad and was therefore used to being caught. She didn’t fear danger. Harriet was a leader in many land and sea raids against the South. She prevented supplies from reaching the South and liberated slaves. Her most notable feat was her raid on a rice plantation. She freed all the slaves from this plantation, which had more than 100. Harriet was also a gun owner and didn’t hesitate to use it. Harriet had to wear long skirts, which was a problem. She was forbidden to wear men’s clothes as it was considered inappropriate for women to do so. She was forced to wear a long skirt on her first mission. She was unable to move around freely. After this, she visited a clothing store and received a skirt and pants with a jacket and underneath. This outfit allowed her to move easily and was comfortable. Harriet was tired of being a conductor, slave, and soldier. She had saved more than 300 slaves. She owed the government over 1,000 dollars, which would have been more than 30,000 dollars today. Fredrick Douglass was a friend and high-ranking official who wrote to Harriet asking for the money. Fredrick Dougs actually met Harriet while he was in Canada asking for assistance in the Civil War. (Blight 299). Harriet was a legend to him and could be a helper. Fredrick Douglas, a slave born in 1870, learned to read and to write. Harriet was never able to get the money that she owed her over her long career. Harriet reached her 90’s and became very old after retiring. She remarried several times during her retirement. Harriet married Nelson Davis, a twenty-year-old man with tuberculosis. Harriet was always interested in helping others, as he needed care. They had been fighting together on one of those black bridges during World War II. Harriet didn’t get paid by the government, so money was scarce. But she managed to find her way. Sarah Bradford wrote books on Harriet and earned some money but not enough. Harriet lost Nelson Davis in 1888. She learned later that John Tubman, a Maryland native, had been assassinated in 1867. Harriet began to cultivate crops for her own money. This was a very successful venture. People would invite her to share their stories. Harriet also gave speeches to raise money. She spoke about her life and shared her experiences. She was a joy to listen to. Harriet died in 1913. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and was surrounded her brother and some close friends. Her last words were “I’m going to make a home for you,” (Clinton, 214). Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery was the place where she was buried. Every person who knew her loved her and admired them. She was a wonderful person who cared about her people’s safety and is now preparing a place for them in Heaven. This Negro heroie was famous for her early life and her help during the Civil War. Harriet sacrificed her life for her people. Many people still admire her. Harriet Tubman believed that every great dream starts with a dreamer. Never forget that you have the strength and patience to achieve your goals. She wants to remind us that we can achieve any goal, even those most impossible. Harriet believed in her beliefs, and she made it her mission for change. She achieved the results she desired and made her name well. Harriet’s bravery will be remembered forever.

Author

  • rhysgraham

    Rhys Graham is an educational blogger and professor who writes about topics such as literacy, mathematics, and science. He has written several books, including one on the history of science. He is also the co-founder of the website Learn Out Loud, which helps educators create and share classroom activities.