AMERICAN HISTORY: 170 YEARS AGO HARRIET TUBAMN BECAME LIBERATED

Born into slavery March of 1822, in Dorchester County Maryland, Araminta Ross would go on to become one of the bravest, and most courageous humans the world has ever come across. Araminta went on to change her name to Harriet Tubman.

When Tubman was born her mother Harriet Green, was designated to the main house of slave owners Mary Brodess and her son Edward. The time needed to care for her family wasn’t there, as soon as young Harriet was able she was taking care of her younger brother and a baby. By the age of 5 or 6 Tubman was hired out by Brodess to be a nursemaid to a woman named “Miss Susan.” The duties required were too care for the baby, and rock its cradle while it was sleeping; if the baby woke up and cried, she was punished with a whipping.

She soon found ways to protect herself by layering up her clothing, running away, as she got older she began fighting back and standing up against her slave owners. As a young girl Tubman was struck in the head with a two pound weight, meant for a salve who was trying to flee. As a result of the injury Tubman suffered numerous after effects such as painful headaches and seizures.

Harriet shortly after her injury started experiencing vivid dreams and even visions. She interpreted them as revelations from God, which brought her closer to her faith and helped shape her personality.

Years of being enslaved crept by, in the year 1849 it all changed. Harriet had become ill and her master wanted to sell her and break up her family. Shortly after negotiations began Brodess passed away, his death now increased the likely hood her family would be sold and broken apart. Tubman would not allow the Brodess family to determine her fate. Harriet is quoted as saying:

“Give me liberty or death; if I could not have one I would have the other.”

There was no time like the present, Harriet grasped her opportunity and literally ran with it. She embarked on her escape through what is known as the Underground Railroad set up by a well-organized group of individuals with a common goal in mind to be free.

Traveling in the blanket of night and hiding during the hours of daylight, Tubman began her voyage from her birth place in Maryland, next was Delaware, than New Jersey, and then into the state where the Quaker Abolitionist Movement was blooming and prospering Pennsylvania. Watch a brief video below as the small town of Cape May in New Jersey has construction under way on a historic church to turn it into a Harriet Tubman Museum.

It was in Philadelphia, home to the Seventh Ward, a community consisting of the largest free group of African Americans where Harriet Tubman’s new life was about to begin. 13 mission were embarked on to save nearly 70 people from enslavement amongst those saved where family and friends, Tubman was a true breaker of chains. She used a network of antislavery activists and a string of safe houses along the path known to us as The Underground Railroad.

Tubman was a Union Army scout, spy, and nurse during the civil war, she was an abolitionist and humanitarian. Harriet was a true hero and someone who America will always endear. Thank you for helping pave the way for humans to do great things. Below IMUer’s take an in-depth look into the Harriet Tubman Museum in Dorchester County.

(All Images Courtesy Of Google Images And Videos Courtesy Of YouTube Source Wikipedia)