Harriet Tubman Biography

We know Harriet Tubman as a woman who played multiple roles throughout her life. However, her unconventional contribution in freeing thousands of enslaved families and individuals, by putting her own life at stake, can never be forgotten. When the American country was faced with the challenge of the Civil war, Tubman faithfully served as a spy to assist them in their difficulties.

Many people would believe that the life she chose to live might have abandoned her from the happiness of good family life. But, this was not the case. She got married twice and adopted Gertie Davis, a baby girl. Contemporarily, even after her death, people continue to honor her, and though she is not alive to see the recognition that she has received after her death, we know there would never be a stronger portrayal of feminism other than her.

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The journey embarked by Harriet Tubman gives us a lot to ponder upon. Let us gain an insight into Harriet Tubman biography: her early life, family, underground railroad incident, and other achievements, to get to know more about her. Because who would not want to?

Early Life 

Unfortunately, there is no concrete information on Harriet Tubman birth date. Nevertheless, there are speculations about Harriet Tubman birth date anywhere between 1820 to 25. Her zeal to escape slaves can be traced back to her childhood experiences.

She was one of the nine children blessed to Harriet Green Ross and Ben Ross, both of whom were slaves in Maryland (Dorchester Country). Harriet was very close to her parents. They originally named her Araminta Ross and nicknamed her Minty. 

Tubman’s early life and childhood were filled with hardships, physical violence, psychological distress, and the trading of her siblings. Harriet, as a young girl, was filled with resistance and she had to pay the price by being subjected to physical injuries that left a scar on her body and soul for her entire life.

Family 

As Harriet’s father turned 45, he was freed from the lifelong slavery that he was subjected to. Unfortunately, by that age, he was left with no new opportunities or options to progress and provide a good life to his family.

As Harriet turned 25, she married an African American John Tubman. He did not approve of Harriet’s ideas and their marriage lasted until John’s death. During this time, Harriet got the courage to work and free enslaved families. Encapsulated with the fear of getting caught, she adopted her mother’s name, Harriet, and her husband’s last name, Tubman. This was the making of Araminta Ross to Harriet Tubman.

A Civil War Veteran, Nelson Davis was the second husband of Harriet Tubman. They lived a happy life and later adopted Gertie Davis, a baby girl.

Harriet Tubman and the Railroad Journey with Siblings 

Tubman’s dedication towards freeing enslaved people (including herself and her own family) led her to discover the famous underground railroad as a way to freedom. She worked hard and conducted approximately 19 trips throughout the entire Railroad to guide 300 people on their way to freedom in just a span of 10 years (from 1850 to 1860).

Those she helped, started calling her Moses for all the commendable work she does and she respectfully accepted it. She traveled exactly 90 miles to Philadelphia after escaping and describes the feeling as “being in heaven”. She was safe in the north, She would have stayed there and enjoyed her free life. Instead, she understood the plight of other people in bondage and this idea marked the beginning of a revolutionary move.

During the Civil War, Tubman dispensed her faithful services as a nurse, a spy, and a cook. She led numerous movements following the release of thousands of slaves from across the world. John Brown, a fellow abolitionist helped her throughout the mission and introduced the concept of using violence to tear down the entire institution of slavery.

What Happened Afterward? 

Harriet Tubman bought a piece of land from W.H Seward, a fellow abolitionist, in the year 1859 in New York. After getting married to Davis, Tubman lived happily ever after in that small piece of land. She continued to give shelter to those who were left homeless post their freedom from slavery.

She was a popular name among many. Anyone who wanted to be free of bondage and slavery knew that Harriet Tubman was their only hope to do so. Contrary to what many people believed, Tubman could not create a financially secure life for herself or for her family. She always had money issues. Nevertheless, on the pretext of how she helped so many people, some of her supporters actively engaged in raising funds for herself.

Her economic woes did not stop her from extending help to the needy. She was filled with a pro-social spirit that inspired her to give selflessly. When she turned 83, she decided to donate a piece of her land to a Church, which later got converted to The Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged in 1908.

How did Harriet Tubman Die? 

Tubman lived her life like a brave soldier, fearless of all the challenges that come her way. At the age of 93, she passed away due to pneumonia. Harriet Tubman died in 1913, March 12, and her demise was grieved by the entire country, especially those who hailed her.

When she was on her deathbed, she was surrounded by her supporters, friends, and her husband. Owing to her lifelong service, she was buried with military honor in Auburn, at Fort Hill Cemetery. Unfortunately, pneumonia is not the only thing that Tubman suffered from. Early injuries on her head started to reflect painfully as Harriet aged. It impacted her ability to process things cognitively. She underwent brain surgery to get some relief, but all in vain.

Harriet Tubman Widely Acknowledged

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The Civil Rights Activist gained immense popularity after her death, becoming a source of inspiration for many homeless families. She was one of the most popular personalities in America throughout the 20th Century. The more people heard about her, the more they were drawn towards her personality.

Harriet was celebrated in a number of ways. A number of schools opened up as an honor to her and there were 2 monuments devoted to her life, namely  Harriet Tubman Home and Harriet Tubman Museum in Auburn and Cambridge respectively.

People felt that spreading the story of her life to millions of other individuals is important, and what can be a better way to do that than make an entire movie based on her life. A Woman called Moses and Harriet is two such remarkable and highly influential movies that came out in 1978 and 2013 respectively.

An interesting Harriet Tubman fact is that she appeared at the center of a 20$ bill, as announced by the US Treasury Department in 2016. Tubman replaced Jackson following a great public demand. Her determination to fight for civil rights and racial equality was one of the many factors that led her to take the position on the American $20 bill.

Harriet Tubman Facts

Harriet Tubman is truly an epitome of courage, in the sense that she did not for once hesitate to stand up for what she felt was right. The huge recognition she achieved after her death is evidence of the fruitful legacy she left behind her.

Today, Harriet Tubman is remembered as a fearless abolitionist who gave her everything to fight against the suppression of slaves. She continues to encourage and motivate millennials and Gen Z to stand up for their own rights, and this is the major takeaway from her inspirational life journey.