Jump to content

Harriet Tubman's birthplace

Add links
Coordinates: 38°28′36.07″N 76°12′56.11″W / 38.4766861°N 76.2155861°W / 38.4766861; -76.2155861
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by CaroleHenson (talk | contribs) at 06:07, 26 May 2021 (→top: link). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Harriet Tubman, ca. 1868–1869
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge marshland and forests

Harriet Tubman's birthplace is in Dorchester County, Maryland. Araminta Ross, the daughter of Ben Ross, was born into slavery in her father's cabin in 1822.[1][a] It was located on the farm of Anthony Thompson at Peter's Neck, at the end of Harrisville Road, which is now part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.[1][4][b]

After a few years, she lived on the Edward Brodess farm with her mother and siblings.[1][4] In the early 1840s, her father was emancipated and received 10 acres of land following Anthony Johnson's death. She was married in the 1840s, acquiring the Tubman surname, and she changed her given name to Harriet.[1]

Tubman escaped in 1849, when she was 27 years of age.[4] She may have escaped by following a trail or by following the Transquaking River north of Bucktown to Choptank River about 15 miles from the farm. A conductor on the Underground Railroad, she may return trips to lead family members—her parents and siblings—and friends to safety.[2]

In March 2021, archaeologists excavated what is considered to be the site of Ben Ross's cabin and found artifacts from the 1800s, including broken dish ware, glass, a button, and nails.[1] In April 2021, it was said that the site was to be added to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway. It is a scenic drive with more than 30 stops over 125 miles.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ A historic marker, located on Maryland 397 near Bucktown states: "Tubman was called 'The Moses of Her People' because of her courageous work on the Underground Railroad. She helped more than 300 slaves escape to freedom."[2][3] The placement of the marker and information about the year of her birth (1820 vs. 1822), place of birth (Ben Ross cabin at Anthony Thompson farm, now Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge vs. Greenbrier Road in Cambridge), and to what extent she lived on the Brodess Farm (her entire life up to age 27 vs. after a few years of age and then intermittently) are questionable. The most recent information is that she was born in 1822, was born in her father's cabin, moved with her mother and siblings to the Brodess farm.[1][4]
  2. ^ The coordinates are based upon this description. There is no United States Geological Survey (USGS) record for the Harriet Tubman birthplace.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Historic Find: Archaeologists discover home of Harriet Tubman's father". The News Journal. 2021-04-25. pp. A26. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  2. ^ a b "Underground Railroad - Special Resource Study - 42 UGRR sites" (PDF). National Park Service. pp. 49, 146, 166. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  3. ^ "Birthplace Marker of Harriet Tubman". VisitMaryland.org. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  4. ^ a b c d "Presidential Proclamation -- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument". whitehouse.gov. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2021-05-26.

38°28′36.07″N 76°12′56.11″W / 38.4766861°N 76.2155861°W / 38.4766861; -76.2155861

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harriet_Tubman%27s_birthplace&oldid=1025183003"