
The violence she suffered early in life caused permanent physical injuries. Physical violence was a part of daily life for Tubman and her family. When a trader from Georgia approached Brodess about buying Rit’s youngest son, Moses, Rit successfully resisted the further fracturing of her family, setting a powerful example for her young daughter. Mary Brodess’ son Edward sold three of Tubman’s sisters to distant plantations, severing the family.
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Tubman’s early life was full of hardship. Araminta changed her name to Harriet around the time of her marriage, possibly to honor her mother. Originally named Araminta Harriet Ross, Tubman was nicknamed “Minty” by her parents. Her father, Ben Ross, was owned by Anthony Thompson (Thompson and Brodess eventually married). Her mother, Harriet “Rit” Green, was owned by Mary Pattison Brodess. She was one of nine children born between 18 to enslaved parents in Dorchester County, Maryland. Tubman’s date of birth is unknown, although it probably occurred between 18. READ MORE: Timeline of Harriet Tubman's Life, Underground Rail Service and Activism Early Life and Family Treasury Department announced that Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the center of a new $20 bill. In honor of her life and by popular demand, in 2016, the U.S. A leading abolitionist before the American Civil War, Tubman also helped the Union Army during the war, working as a spy among other roles.Īfter the Civil War ended, Tubman dedicated her life to helping impoverished former slaves and the elderly.


Tubman risked her life to lead hundreds of family members and other slaves from the plantation system to freedom on this elaborate secret network of safe houses. Born into slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in the North in 1849 to become the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad.
