Thank you so much for the beautiful and engaging article. Well done!
In studying family genealogy I've found directions to a certain tree before a particular Ohio home where one could find guidance and cover for an evening.
I also learned a family can disagree about slavery enough for one branch to shelter the others runaway who would leave his own accounting in the 1847 Syracuse Daily Star, that newspaper Trump's heard so much about lately Fred Douglass publishes.
Way to make the papers, GGGpa from hell. Trump's kind of slave driver.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/jacksona/jacksona.html
I also learned a family can disagree about slavery enough for one branch to shelter the others runaway who would leave his own accounting in the 1847 Syracuse Daily Star, that newspaper Trump's heard so much about lately Fred Douglass publishes.
Way to make the papers, GGGpa from hell. Trump's kind of slave driver.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/jacksona/jacksona.html
This is such a lovely addition to all the creative celebrations of Black History Month. Thanks you!
Interesting! Some of the photos remind me of a few of my Instagram/Facebook shots in Tidewater. A timely piece to remind all to respect those that have paved the way for our collective freedoms, like Harriet. We still have a long way to go.
Starting in Baltimore County, Maryland, there's a popular bike trail (North Central Railroad Trail) that's built along an old railroad track bed that once
carried the casket of Abe Lincoln on its way back to Springfield. If you
ride up toward the Pennsylvania border wood land turns into farms
and the stops along the trail assume names like "NEW FREEDOM." ( It's
interesting that a few miles north a town in Pennsylvania has the same name.)
These were stops along the Underground Railway, and until I read this
article I hadn't known that its nexus was well across the Chesapeake Bay
on the Eastern Shore. "FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD... " - OR THE
MILKY WAY - WAS ONE OF THE RAILROAD'S SONGS. We used to sing
it at Zionist camp, and I'll always be proud of the role we Labor Zionist kids
later played in the Civil Rights Movement.
carried the casket of Abe Lincoln on its way back to Springfield. If you
ride up toward the Pennsylvania border wood land turns into farms
and the stops along the trail assume names like "NEW FREEDOM." ( It's
interesting that a few miles north a town in Pennsylvania has the same name.)
These were stops along the Underground Railway, and until I read this
article I hadn't known that its nexus was well across the Chesapeake Bay
on the Eastern Shore. "FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD... " - OR THE
MILKY WAY - WAS ONE OF THE RAILROAD'S SONGS. We used to sing
it at Zionist camp, and I'll always be proud of the role we Labor Zionist kids
later played in the Civil Rights Movement.
1
I would have loved to read this but I have met my limits of Free articles for the month.
One of my teachers once told me that the "Free is the enemy of the good". If you find value in something, then perhaps you should buy it.
1
This has touched my soul & engrains in me the idea that when we decide to take action, lives can change. I can't help but wonder how Harriet Tubman could be so courageous, so enlightened & resourceful especially when all odds were against her. This piece stopped me in my tracks on a Saturday night, thank you for sharing her journey, she still lights the way!
2
A very good read - well done! Thank you!
1
Thank you, Mr. Stodghill, this was great. Now that you have traveled the beginning of her story, I hope you get the chance to visit and write of her story in Auburn, NY. To me the best part of her story is being found by love in that community and her doing good until her end.
Take care
Take care
4
I love the use of maps and photos melded in a great narrative.
8
Well done.
With so many cowards currently in the headlines, it is good to spotlight a true hero.
Harriet Tubman ... an early member of the RESISTANCE.
With so many cowards currently in the headlines, it is good to spotlight a true hero.
Harriet Tubman ... an early member of the RESISTANCE.
9
Lou,
Here in Ontario, we count Harriet Tubman as one of the grandmothers of the Conservative Party.
I am a Conservative in Canada but a liberal Democrat in my American political life. There is, however, some overlap between American and Canadian conservatisms.
Lincoln Alexander, a successful African-Canadian lawyer and a descendant of Harriet Tubman's beneficiaries, was the Province of Ontario's first black Lieutenant-Governor. That's the Queen's representative in our democratic-monarchical constitutional order.
The way he was appointed was reminiscent of the present political order in the United States. He had been head of the Workmen's Compensation Board, a governmental board overseeing compensation, naturally, to sick or injured working people.
He was kicked upstairs to Lieutenant Governor when it became clear that he didn't believe in workmen's compensation -- an invention of that radical socialist Otto von Bismarck. His sails are cut in the same loft as Dr. Carson's or Mr. Cain's.
No doubt America would benefit from having a place to kick some of Mr Trump's appointees upstairs since it seems they share Lieut-GG Alexander's socio-political views.
Here in Ontario, we count Harriet Tubman as one of the grandmothers of the Conservative Party.
I am a Conservative in Canada but a liberal Democrat in my American political life. There is, however, some overlap between American and Canadian conservatisms.
Lincoln Alexander, a successful African-Canadian lawyer and a descendant of Harriet Tubman's beneficiaries, was the Province of Ontario's first black Lieutenant-Governor. That's the Queen's representative in our democratic-monarchical constitutional order.
The way he was appointed was reminiscent of the present political order in the United States. He had been head of the Workmen's Compensation Board, a governmental board overseeing compensation, naturally, to sick or injured working people.
He was kicked upstairs to Lieutenant Governor when it became clear that he didn't believe in workmen's compensation -- an invention of that radical socialist Otto von Bismarck. His sails are cut in the same loft as Dr. Carson's or Mr. Cain's.
No doubt America would benefit from having a place to kick some of Mr Trump's appointees upstairs since it seems they share Lieut-GG Alexander's socio-political views.
The beautiful video at the top of this story shows a glimpse of the massive Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge that surrounds the new Harriet Tubman Visitor Center (grand opening March 11) and the other Dorchester County historic sites mentioned. The wildlife refuge is home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles on the east coast --- our national symbol of freedom enjoying a resurgence thanks to the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act, now, itself, endangered by short-sighted politics. Blackwater is also endangered by rising waters destroying the forest habitat. In so many ways, the Tubman Center and the wildlife refuge symbolize the very best of America when we recognize and lift up the courage, resourcefulness, resilience and imagination necessary to sustain a great nation in freedom and the kind of prosperity that comes from equality of opportunity and investment in healthy conservation of natural resources. To think of Harriet Tubman navigating the swamps and rivers of the Eastern Shore in darkness and danger is a breathtaking lesson in the triumph of the human drive for freedom. To understand the grave environmental dangers to Blackwater and similar places --- the loss of forest habitat due to rising waters, the rollback of protections for endangered species --- is a contemporary lesson in the ways in which environmental protection is also, ultimately, part of protecting the health of the planet and quality of life for many future generations.
4
I just read all of the Underground Railroad travel pieces. Well done! Fascinating and timely. Thank you.
1
Instead of the Friends Meeting House In Wilmington, Mr. Stodghill should have visited the meeting houses in West Grove and London Grove. That's where the real action was.
1
This mighty warrior personified what has been central to the African-American struggle since our ancestors set foot on these shores – RESISTANCE to oppression!
The great poet Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1784), the first published African-American female poet, born in West Africa and sold into slavery at the age of seven wrote, “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.”
Harriet Tubman lived what Wheatly wrote.
The great poet Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1784), the first published African-American female poet, born in West Africa and sold into slavery at the age of seven wrote, “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.”
Harriet Tubman lived what Wheatly wrote.
3
My hero, Mrs. Tubman. The more you learn about her the better you understand surrival, bravery and determination. However, along with Mrs. Tubman were other runaway slave that got north without aid or help. Some, got north without mummering a single word to a strange until they got to Canada. Invisibly, they moved only at night heading North following the Drinking Gord (North Star) and hid silently during daylight. They (in the thousands) ran away North and many not stopping until Canada because of the fugitive slave act. Runaway slaves typically did not know about aid or help and possibly that story is as marvelous as the Under Ground Railroad. Imigane getting from Albany, Georgia to Toronto at night through the woods, rivers and mountains.
1
As an Afro-American, I cringe at the revelations how Amerigo Vespucci butchered the native peoples and promoted slavery from Africa.
The only solution is to urge Keith Ellison & Senator Schemer to rename the country from United States of America to United States of Tubman!
The only solution is to urge Keith Ellison & Senator Schemer to rename the country from United States of America to United States of Tubman!
3
I have to disagree that the path you are showing my ancestor mother travel to help African people held as slaves looked like this. No paved road, nothing but brush and trees.
My ancestor mother was born to her mother, not the criminal slave holder, who held them, violating their human rights. Slavery is not our history, slavery interrupted our history, for over 500 years.
My ancestor mother was born to her mother, not the criminal slave holder, who held them, violating their human rights. Slavery is not our history, slavery interrupted our history, for over 500 years.
1
Tubman made 19 trips to Ontario, mainly because of the Fugitive Slave Act. In Canada, at St. Catharine's (Harriet's church home), there is a historical landmark.
6
My relatives have passed down coded-wording letters setting up stops and safe houses for slaves on the Underground Railroad. I'm humble and proud to come from such people.
Only question is when Trump will ask for Harriet (as he is on a first-name basis with all famous people) to come over for dinner.
Only question is when Trump will ask for Harriet (as he is on a first-name basis with all famous people) to come over for dinner.
1
Finally, the Times has produced a tribute honoring the trailblazers of black history. What took so long?
With only three days left of Black History month there has been no real talk about the many black Americans who have impacted the lives of all Americans - all the talk and focus has been on that 45th guy. We need to stop focusing on his every move and direct our attention to empowering black and brown people in this new age of awareness.
It is time!
With only three days left of Black History month there has been no real talk about the many black Americans who have impacted the lives of all Americans - all the talk and focus has been on that 45th guy. We need to stop focusing on his every move and direct our attention to empowering black and brown people in this new age of awareness.
It is time!
1
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a Republican stronghold, in a state with some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country. This is lovely, teaching us about Maryland's pride in Harriet Tubman, but this area voted for donald trump, the racist.
2
Beautifully produced!
1
I appreciate the attention the author gives to our area and this critical component of American history. He, like too many others, omit the social impact Methodism had upon blacks and whites, especially in this area. I mean no disrespect to the Quakers, but the Methodists also were in the forefront of freeing slaves AND organizing free Blacks and slaves into classes. Methodists, black and white, then as now, are part of the same United Methodist Church. It is out of this Methodism came Harriet Tubman, whose descendants are still members of these churches. Look at all those Black United Methodist churches that now surround the new Tubman Center today. They were there back then!
The first Methodists in our area were Black and White together. One did not come before the other. Would her Methodism have helped her move about more freely?
And, could The Witness Tree be a remnant of African religious practice?
The first Methodists in our area were Black and White together. One did not come before the other. Would her Methodism have helped her move about more freely?
And, could The Witness Tree be a remnant of African religious practice?
1
Gary, you might have forgotten the reason for and that she was a member of the AMEZ Church, not what was after the Civil War the United Methodist Church
Harriet Tubman was a true warrior for freedom for slaves. As such the famous phrase "Give me liberty or give me death" can be most appropriately applied to her. Radical abolitionist John Brown always referred to her as General Tubman. The reason for this is because Harriet Tubman carried a pistol and once she came to rescue a slave from forced servitude that slave was obliged to go with her or face the alternative which was certain death at the hands of Harriet herself. She had to protect the abolitionist movement and everyone who secretly provided refuge for slaves and she had to protect all those slaves who wanted freedom and were not going back no matter what. Most importantly Harriet Tubman was the most wanted runaway slave in American History had she been caught she would NOT have been returned to servitude but rather, she would have been publicly tortured in the most sadistic way possible and then executed. The extent of her courage and selflessness can never be properly calculated.
1
Well, isn't this ironic.
Just as our President takes the nation into lock-down with the support of the very wealthy, much of the business community, and the usual bedraggled band of voters who have prioritized anger, fear, and sloth over their self interest and that of their families and communities since the Civil War, you give us Harriet Tubman and the beauty and the tragedy of our national beginnings.
I'm not hopeful enough to think that anyone reading this will suddenly see the warning it sends against this administration's anti-American direction, but I hope it will give courage and fortitude to those already engaged in the fight.
Once again, Harriet Tubman may help us out of the wilderness. And once again we will owe much of our national character and much of our history to a person who is also Black and a woman.
Just as our President takes the nation into lock-down with the support of the very wealthy, much of the business community, and the usual bedraggled band of voters who have prioritized anger, fear, and sloth over their self interest and that of their families and communities since the Civil War, you give us Harriet Tubman and the beauty and the tragedy of our national beginnings.
I'm not hopeful enough to think that anyone reading this will suddenly see the warning it sends against this administration's anti-American direction, but I hope it will give courage and fortitude to those already engaged in the fight.
Once again, Harriet Tubman may help us out of the wilderness. And once again we will owe much of our national character and much of our history to a person who is also Black and a woman.
1
My family heritage sits on both sides of the African colored enslavement line.
I had black free-person of color ancestors living in Virginia and South Carolina from the American Revoluion onward. One was forced to fight on the Confederate side until he was captured and became a Union POW until he renounced the Confederacy and joined the Union Army.
Then there were my black enslaved ancestors living in Georgia in 1830/35 who were owned by and bred with my white ancestors. My great grandfather born enslaved graduated from an HBCU.
My enslaved African ancestors came to America as property. Not immigrants.
I had black free-person of color ancestors living in Virginia and South Carolina from the American Revoluion onward. One was forced to fight on the Confederate side until he was captured and became a Union POW until he renounced the Confederacy and joined the Union Army.
Then there were my black enslaved ancestors living in Georgia in 1830/35 who were owned by and bred with my white ancestors. My great grandfather born enslaved graduated from an HBCU.
My enslaved African ancestors came to America as property. Not immigrants.
3
General William T. Sherman and his troops freed my enslaved black Georgia ancestors after burning Atlanta and moving towards Savannah.
1
" I freed a thousand slaves, I would have freed a thousand more, if only they knew they were slaves".....
Its a great quote but not hers
What a superb, uplifting story!
I’ve been frozen with real terror since November 8. Many use the term “Resist!” write comments on these pages--sitting behind a computer in the safety of our homes-“Maybe someone will DO something about this wretched excuse who occupies the White House?!” But we in fact do nothing and hope that this pestilence passes us by...just as the Hebrews brushed lamb’s blood on their home’s door frames praying that the Angel of Death would pass them by.
What was so different about Ms. Tubman?She certainly didn’t suffer as much (Please--ALL slaves suffered horrifically!) as other slave families did.What great passion exhorted her to action? She didn’t learn in any school about our US Constitution or our Founding Fathers’ great themes of equality--besides they didn’t apply to black folks anyway.
Somewhere along the way she DID learn to read and write. Obvious then as now that keeping people “poorly educated” was the best chance at an authoritarian government. Slaves were FORBIDDEN to learn reading and writing for then they could learn that the rest of the world found slavery abhorrent.
We know about Harriet Tubman.But how many women and men gave their lives for others? Christians use the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.Yet we rarely think how many everyday people sacrifice EVERYTHING for others all the time. She and others could have moved to safety--but she returned again and again to save ALL OF US.
Thanks NYT!
I’ve been frozen with real terror since November 8. Many use the term “Resist!” write comments on these pages--sitting behind a computer in the safety of our homes-“Maybe someone will DO something about this wretched excuse who occupies the White House?!” But we in fact do nothing and hope that this pestilence passes us by...just as the Hebrews brushed lamb’s blood on their home’s door frames praying that the Angel of Death would pass them by.
What was so different about Ms. Tubman?She certainly didn’t suffer as much (Please--ALL slaves suffered horrifically!) as other slave families did.What great passion exhorted her to action? She didn’t learn in any school about our US Constitution or our Founding Fathers’ great themes of equality--besides they didn’t apply to black folks anyway.
Somewhere along the way she DID learn to read and write. Obvious then as now that keeping people “poorly educated” was the best chance at an authoritarian government. Slaves were FORBIDDEN to learn reading and writing for then they could learn that the rest of the world found slavery abhorrent.
We know about Harriet Tubman.But how many women and men gave their lives for others? Christians use the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.Yet we rarely think how many everyday people sacrifice EVERYTHING for others all the time. She and others could have moved to safety--but she returned again and again to save ALL OF US.
Thanks NYT!
5
In this day and age it is hard not to see everything through the twisted lens of Donald Trump. Harriet Tubman lived a life dedicated to freeing people from their chains while Trump is spending his time as president dedicated to locking people up.
If you can't see his drive to round up 11 million immigrants; to open the floodgates to privately run prisons; to put woman who have abortions behind bars; locking up his political opponent; locking out the press; and locking in the FBI as the actions a tyrant then I think you are just the kind of person with just the same kind of offensive ideas about human rights as Harriet Tubman spent her life fighting against, and which we must now all lift up our will and our sacrifice to fight against.
If you can't see his drive to round up 11 million immigrants; to open the floodgates to privately run prisons; to put woman who have abortions behind bars; locking up his political opponent; locking out the press; and locking in the FBI as the actions a tyrant then I think you are just the kind of person with just the same kind of offensive ideas about human rights as Harriet Tubman spent her life fighting against, and which we must now all lift up our will and our sacrifice to fight against.
35
"If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going." ~~ Harriet Tubman
44
She carried a double barrel shot gun.
I have more of a question. Is this actually a trail you can walk with places to stay as you walk? I plan on walking the pilgrimage of Compestela, Spain, but this is no less of a pilgrimage that deserves attention. It is time we remember with our muscles the suffering of those who fought for freedom in the past.
20
Come to Maryland, David. There are people who can show you where Harriet Tubman walked.
1
Can you post, or direct us, to navigable directions for the entire route? The writer ends in Dover, but your map traces a route further north. I would like to follow the full path from Maryland, through Delaware, to Pennsylvania.
1
Frederick Douglass was also from these parts. Donald Rumsfeld later bought the plantation to which Douglass was sent to be "broken." Dorchester County, Maryland, was also where Rap Brown had a stand off in 1967. People often forget how deeply embedded slavery and its legacy are in Maryland, especially on the Eastern Shore, from which so many slaves were sold south to pick cotton.
19
Thank you for sharing your journey. A great article and much praise for the maps and numbered sites. Very well done!
20
Nice production--writing, photography and video! Especially like the easy read & visual flowing format.
19
A true American heroine in every way imaginable.
She risked her own life so that everyone could be free.
That's the true embodiment of the can-do American spirit.
How I long for someone like her to lead the nation.
She risked her own life so that everyone could be free.
That's the true embodiment of the can-do American spirit.
How I long for someone like her to lead the nation.
20
May I add to my own comment: President Obama risked his political life to bring better health insurance and health care to the nation. So did the Democrats who supported the ACA.
As such, we did have leaders who took risks on behalf of everyone, i.e. "someone like her [led] the nation."
To clarify, I wish we had someone in office TODAY with that kind of courage and motivation. Thank to Republicans, we don't.
As such, we did have leaders who took risks on behalf of everyone, i.e. "someone like her [led] the nation."
To clarify, I wish we had someone in office TODAY with that kind of courage and motivation. Thank to Republicans, we don't.
Even after reading a multitude of books and biographies about Harriet Tubman, I am never tired of reading even more about this remarkable woman. Thank you for the beautiful travelogue on places and paths touched by Harriet Tubman.
18
It's wonderful to see another Black oriented story front and center in the NYT.
16
It is surprising that there is no reference to the relationship between the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act and the importance of the Underground Railroad. From 1850 to the beginning of the War, the Act required Northerners to cooperate in the return of escaped slaves. The purpose of the Underground Railroad during those years was to deliver slaves to locations in the North where they would be safe from bounty hunters.
13
And slave catchers were among the first cops and regulators of non-
persons aka slaves.
persons aka slaves.
1
....safe from bounty hunters, enroute to freedom in Canada
1
I salute Harriet Tubman and her immense (and successful) efforts to free human beings (including herself) from the scourge of slavery. I also salute her service to the Union Army as an armed scout during our civil war. If there ever is another Rushmore frieze, hers would be a credible candidate for it, along with other American heroes, of all colors and ethnicities.
42
My enslaved Georgia ancestors living just East of Atlanta were no longer slaves after General William T. Sherman and his troops passed by on their way to Savannah. Sherman looms large with Grant and Lincoln in my family lore. We were taught to rejoice at the burning of Atlanta in film and photo and print.
2