"The Moses of Her People" 

1820-1913

Famous Quote: 

"There's two things I got a right to and these are Death and Liberty. If I could not have one, I would have the other."
-- Harriet Tubman

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    Harriet Ross  was born in Dorchester County, Maryland around 1820.Her birth date was unknown because slave owners didn't keep up with their date of birth.  Harriet 's parents were  Harriet Greene and Benjamin Ross.  When Harriet was born her name was Araminta Ross and as a child she was called "Minty", but later in the years she became known as Harriet after her mother.  Harriet's parents were from West Africa and were shipped to the U.S. to work on the Brodas plantation.  Harriet was raised through some rough times, and also had some of  the same troubles as a small child. 

     While around the age of 10 to 12 ,Harriet was struck in the head for standing up for a slave.  That incident caused Harriet to have seizures, and  sleeping spells.  As  slaves they were not supposed to learn how to read and write, so Harriet was illiterate her entire life.  It was popular for slave owners to not let their slaves know how to read and write.  Owners seemed to think if slaves learned how to read and write they would think they are smart, and can say whatever they feel. Slaves were supposed to be trash and people who don't know nothing, so they couldn't tell anyone anything.

    Harriet was told to marry a man by the name of John Tubman who was a free man, who also became her first husband.  Harriet told John about her plans to go north and he thought she was crazy.  Twenty-five years later she married her second husband Nelson Davis.  She never had any kids through her adventurous life.  Harriet was very determined to be free and she wanted her family to be too.  With the help of some abolitionists helping her at different stations she reached the North.  Some trips Harriet had to be very controlling to make sure no one got hurt.  On these trips North Harriet had to sometimes hide in bushes, and walk through water .  Harriet helped  over 300 slaves escape to freedom through the "Underground Railroad."  Harriet lived to see many things as a free woman and later died in 1913.

Created by:  Shermari