Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

In 1843, Harriet begins sewing her patchwork quilt in anticipation of her marriage to John Tubman. Despite not taking to the task naturally, she completes her project, which is her most treasured possession. Harriet’s marriage to John reinvigorates her desire to be free since John is a free man whose parents were manumitted before he was born. Using her savings of five dollars, Harriet hires a lawyer to investigate how Old Rit and her family came to be owned by Brodas. She finds that her mother, Old Rit, was cheated out of freedom by people who did not respect a will that dictated that she must be freed by age 45. Harriet is angered by the fact that her mother has been “tricked and deceived” (81) and feels that she has also borne the consequences of that injustice.

The price of cotton goes down, which results in slaves also being valued at less money. Harriet observes that the plantation, which Doctor Thompson is now managing, is in disrepair, and she worries that he will sell more slaves. When Harriet mentions running away to John, he discourages her strongly, telling her she will freeze in the northern states and that it is better to stay in Maryland, where the weather is temperate, and there are abundant natural resources.