The Life of Harriet Tubman
Rules did not stop her. Faith strengthened her. Freedom motivated her. This woman ,who rescued hundreds and motivated thousands, was called by many names Araminta Ross, Minty, Moses, and Harriet Tubman. Throughout her life she struggled with pain and hardships, but there were many times where Harriet experienced joy and excitement. Harriet had a hard life as a child, but as a young woman escaped slavery. When Harriet joined the underground railroad she helped many escape slavery by following the stars. Though Harriet was imperfect ,as we all are, she still inspired many through her selfless acts.
Harriet Tubman was born around the year 1822 to her enslaved parents Harriet Green and Ben Ross. Her birth name was Araminta Ross but she was nicknamed “Minty”. Araminta was born on the eastern side of Maryland on the Brodess plantation that was run by Edward Brodess. Araminta’s grandmother had arrived from Africa on a slave ship and was sold to the Brodess many years before Araminta’s birth. Araminta’s grandmother told her that she was a descendant of the Ashanti tribe ,who live in current day Ghana. At the age of five or six Araminta was sent to work in the house her job was to keep the Brodess baby asleep and if the baby awoke Araminta was whipped. One morning Araminta was whipped five times before breakfast.
One day when Araminta was older she was sent to get some supplies from the store when suddenly a slave ran into the store with his master chasing him. The slaves master had him cornered the master looked over at Araminta and told her to help him tie the slave up. Araminta looked at the slave and did nothing seeing this was his chance the slave ran for the door. In a desperate attempt to catch his slave the master tossed a two pound weight towards the slave Araminta stepped in the way of the slave and the weight hit her in the head with full force Araminta then blacked out as blood poured down her face. Araminta would suffer from headaches for the rest of her life.
In 1844 Araminta married John Tubman a free black man. Shorty after the wedding Araminta changed her name to Harriet so her full name became Harriet Tubman. In 1849 Harriet became very ill and her master tried to sell her. Harriet began to pray that God would change her master’s heart or kill him. When her master died that same year Harriet felt like it was her fault. When Edward Brodess died his widow Eliza Brodess started to sell all of the slaves. Harriet was worried that her family would be seperated so on September 17th Harriet and two of her brothers escaped the plantation and headed north. After traveling awhile Harriet’s brothers decided they wanted to turn back for an unknown reason forcing Harriet to go with them. After that Harriet escaped by herself. When Harriet made it to Pennsylvania later Harriet remarked “ when I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven”. Harriet had finally made it to freedom.
Harriet decided to go back to the Brodess plantation to lead her family to freedom. After she led her family to freedom Harriet joined the underground railroad and became a conductor. Harriet also became wanted with a high price of $40,000 on her head. Harriet never lost a passenger. Harriet made 19 trips rescuing 300–500 people. William Lloyd Garrison gave Harriet the nickname Moses. When the Civil War broke out Harriet became a nurse who treated dysentery. She also became a cook and armed scout. Harriet was an active scout in Amelia Island. After the war was over Harriet continued to serve the public. In 1898 Harriet had brain surgery to help with her headaches. Harriet did not have anesthesia so she had to bite a bullet like she had seen so many soldiers do. In 1910 Harriet moved into a nursing home and in 1913 she died of pneumonia surrounded by friends and family. She was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery.
Harriet Tubman began her life with hard work and brutal beatings. When she escaped slavery as a young woman she was overjoyed, but Harriet wanted others to be free to so she put herself in danger to help others. Then during the Civil War Harriet served as a scout, nurse and cook. After the War her selfless acts did not end. When Harriet died many mourned her. Harriet Tubman is a great example because she put her other needs above her own. Rules, race, and gender would not stop this brave woman from helping others.
