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I was born in Maryland in 1820. My actual date of birth is unknown though.
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I recieved severe head damage from not restraining a runaway slave. A weight was thrown at my head causing seizures and severe headaches for the rest of my life.
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In 1844 I married a free black man named John Tubman.
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In 1849 I escaped slavery and ran away to Philadelphia using the underground railroad.
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In 1850 the fugitive slave law was passed allowing runaway slaves to be captured and returned to slavery.
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The passing of the Fugitive Slave Law caused me to have to reroute the underground railroad into Canada.
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In September, I was made an official "conductor" of the UGRR.
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In December of 1850, my niece and children were bought at an auction by my niece’s free husband. I helped them make the journey to Philadelphia to live free.
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John Tubman and I got divorced in 1851. John Tubman wanted to stay in Maryland with his new wife.
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In 1851, I led a group of 11 fugitives to freedom in the north.
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November 1861, I conducted my last rescue mission before the nation went into the Civil War.
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The spring of 1857 was the time when I set out on my most daring rescue to free my elderly father, Ben Ross. I bought a train ticket for myself and traveled in broad daylight which was dangerous considering the bounty for my head.
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In April 1858, I was introduced to abolitionist John Brown, who tried to use violence to disrupt and attempt to destroy slavery.
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Brown was hung on December 2nd, 1859.
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I became active in the Civil War by serving the Union as a nurse and cook before quickly becoming an armed scout and spy.
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I accompanied Colonel James Montgomery assaulting several plantations along the Combahee River. Resulting in the rescue of more than 700 slaves.
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In 1869 I got re-married to Nelson Davis and stayed married until Nelson died in 1888.
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In 1876 my daughter, Gertie Davis, was born. Date and location of birth are unknown.
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I was eventually awarded with a nurse’s pension after having great difficulty in receiving one of any kind.
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Before I died on March 10, 1913, I gave my home for the elderly to the Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. I was buried with military rites in Fort Hill Cemetery, a short drive from the home.
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I have many qualities that made me capable of doing what I did. I am valiant, hardworking, resourceful, unwavering, unselfish and generous. All these qualities made what I did possible.
