Harriet Tubm An African American Abolitionist And...

Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist and humanitarian. Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Maryland around 1820-1825 and died in Boston, Massachusetts of pneumonia in 1913. She was born into slavery, but successfully escaped in 1849 to become a leading abolitionist, yet she returned many times to rescue both family members and non-relatives from the plantation system. She led hundreds of slaves to freedom in the North as the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad, an elaborate secret network of safe houses organized to help slaves get to the north and escape slavery. Harriet Tubman born â€Å"Araminta Harriet Ross†, was born into a difficult lifestyle because both her parents, Harriet Green and Benn Ross,†¦show more content†¦Although similar circumstances applied to Harriet Green and her children, the individuals who owned them decided not to free them. Despite being free, Ben had little power to challenge their decision. In 1844, Ross married a free black man named John Tubman. Although little is known about their marriage, she adopted his last name. Any children they might have had would have been considered enslaved, because the mother’s status dictated that of any offspring. Araminta changed her name to Harriet around the time of her marriage with John, it is believed she did this to honor her mother. In 1849, Harriet’s owner came down with illness that ended in her death. In fear that she was going to be sold and her family was going to be torn part, Harriet Tubman decided to run away. She also feared for own her fate as an injured and sick slave of low economic value. She initially fled with two of her brothers, Ben and Henry, but they both changed their mind and returned to the planation after a notice was published in the Cambridge Democrat offering a $300 reward for the return of the runaway slaves. Harriet Tubman used the Underground Railroad to travel about ninety miles to Philadelphia, only walking at night to avoid being seen and to follow the North Star, she made her way to Pennsylvania and then Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, she found work and saved money. The