Best known as the "black moses" Harriet Tubman (1820-1913) is one .
of the greatest women in American history. She was born on Maryland's .
eastern shores. Born a slave her life was hard from the beginning. She .
always wanted to escape and finally built up her courage to actually try.
When she escaped it wasn't only for her benefit, it was for the benefit of .
over 300 other slaves she helped free.
Before helping others escape, Harriet wanted her husband to escape .
with her but he would not. In fact, he told on her after she fled. She .
never got caught. Her escape caused separation from her parents and .
her brothers and sisters. Rarely did she return to her home area but .
when she did she talked to her family. Her father actually blindfolded .
himself when yearning to see Harriet so he could tell his master he had.
not seen her. Her first marriage ended when she left as he remarried.
Many years later she remarried a very good man, a former slave 20 .
years younger than her.
.
Harriet spent her life serving others. She had many adventures helping.
other slaves escape. One of her most difficult missions was having to re-.
move torpedos from the water where they were escaping. Another time .
many slaves with her were about to board boats. They were so terrified,.
clinging onto the boats, that they wanted to go back as much as forward.
Harriet started singing a Gospel song and it worked. It calmed them and.
they sang along. Her own personal escape years earlier was uneventful .
but brilliant. She simply walked past her master as if doing a task.
Harriet had many obstacles to overcome during her incredible life.
Early in childhood her mean master struck her on the head. Her scar .
was a reminder as was her lifelong headaches. She also had sleeping .
spells. She would fall asleep no matter where she was in a matter of .
seconds. She was always poor but God always provided for her no.
matter what the need.