Essay On Harriet Tubman

Araminta Harriet Ross, Harriet Tubman, played a crucial role in History. She was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and union spy in the civil war. Her courageous rescues freed over 300 black slaves. In fact her work was so impactful that the South put a 40,000-dollar reward on her head. She became the most famous leader of The Underground Railroad and many called her Moses after the biblical character. Harriet Tubman was more than an essential part in The Underground Railroad; she was an essential part in our history.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery as Harriet Ross in 1820 on the Eastern Shore. Harriet was one of eleven children born to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross. Harriet was born on the Brodas Plantation, a cash crop. Brodas grew apples, wheat, rye and corn; and he also owned many acres of trees. Brodas rented and sold his slaves to others and by the age of 13, Harriet has seen brothers, sisters and slaves sold away. When Harriet was five years old, Brodas rented her to a nearby couple named Cook. Harriet slept on the Cooks’ kitchen floor and shared table scraps with their dog. Mrs. Cook gave Harriet the job of winding yarn, but when she proved slow at the work Mrs. Cook turned her over to Mr. Cook. Mr. Cook assigned Harriet to watch the Muskrat traps in the river. Everyday she went to the icy river barefoot with only a thin shirt on. She son developed a cough and high fever. The Cooks accused her of being lazy and attempting to get out of work. They sent her back to Brodas Plantation and there her mother nursed her back into health form a six-week bout of measles and bronchitis. Soon as she was health again, Brodas rented her out to a woman who wanted a housekeeper and baby nurse. Many years after the ex...

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...riet. Harriet was still a slave and new that if she were sold their marriage would split apart. Harriet dreamed of traveling north, into freedom. She knew that then she wouldn’t have to worry about their marriage splitting apart. John didn’t want to go north, he said it was fine where they were. Harriet said that she’d go without him and he answered with questions like, “Where are you going to get food?” He told her that he’d tell her master if she ran. He meant it. She couldn’t help it anymore and left her husband in 1849 and ran away to Philadelphia. Harriet made her escape in September 1849 shortly after she heard rumors that she and other slaves might be sold to the Deep South. With the rumors she heard about the underground Railroad and her knowledge of the surrounding country area she managed to find the best route for the 90 mile freedom journey.