In December 1850, Harriet Tubman conducted her first Underground Railroad rescue mission, successfully freeing her niece Kessiah Bowley and her two children from slavery in Maryland. This mission marked the beginning of her legendary career as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman's first Underground Railroad mission marked the beginning of her legendary journey as one of America's most courageous abolitionists. In September 1849, she made her daring escape from a Maryland plantation and found her way to freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But her personal liberation wasn't enough - she felt called to help others break free from the chains of slavery.
Just months after securing her own freedom, Tubman embarked on her first rescue mission in December 1850. This initial journey set the stage for a decade of heroic missions that would earn her the nickname "Moses." While many enslaved people dreamed of escape, Tubman transformed that dream into reality through her intimate knowledge of secret routes, safe houses and a network of dedicated abolitionists who supported the Underground Railroad movement.
Harriet Tubman's Early Life as an Enslaved Person
#Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross around 1822, endured a life of bondage on Maryland's Eastern Shore until her escape in 1849. Her early experiences shaped her resilience and determination to fight against slavery.
Growing Up on Maryland's Eastern Shore
#Tubman's childhood unfolded on the Brodess plantation in Dorchester County, Maryland. At age 5, she faced separation from her family when Edward Brodess hired her out to neighboring plantations for domestic work. Her tasks included checking muskrat traps, housekeeping duties and caring for enslaved children. In 1835, at age 13, Tubman suffered a severe head injury when an overseer threw a heavy metal weight at another enslaved person, striking her instead. This injury caused lifelong seizures, headaches and narcolepsy.
Marriage to John Tubman
#In 1844, Araminta Ross married John Tubman, a free Black man, and changed her first name to Harriet. Their marriage faced significant challenges due to their different legal statuses - John was free while Harriet remained enslaved. After her escape in 1849, John Tubman chose to stay in Maryland rather than join his wife in the North. In 1851, he married another woman named Caroline, officially ending his relationship with Harriet. Despite this personal setback, Tubman's marriage provided her with valuable connections in the free Black community that later assisted her Underground Railroad operations.
The Pivotal Year: 1849
#Harriet Tubman's life transformed in 1849 when she executed her daring escape from slavery in Maryland. The events of this year laid the foundation for her future role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Planning Her Escape to Freedom
#Tubman meticulously planned her escape in September 1849 after learning that her enslaver, Edward Brodess, intended to sell her. She utilized the established Underground Railroad network connecting Maryland's Eastern Shore to Pennsylvania, coordinating with free Blacks in the region. The escape route included strategic safe houses, hidden pathways through forests, and a coded system of communication using quilts, lanterns, and songs.
Successfully Reaching Philadelphia
#After a 90-mile journey spanning approximately 5-7 days, Tubman crossed into Pennsylvania at Market Street Wharf in Philadelphia. She found immediate support from Philadelphia's established free Black community, including William Still, a prominent abolitionist who documented her arrival. The Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society provided her with temporary housing, employment connections, and crucial information about the Underground Railroad network.
| Key Details of Tubman's 1849 Escape | |
|---|---|
| Distance Traveled | 90 miles |
| Journey Duration | 5-7 days |
| Starting Point | Dorchester County, Maryland |
| Destination | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Season of Escape | Fall (September) |
First Underground Railroad Mission in 1850
#Harriet Tubman conducted her first Underground Railroad rescue mission in December 1850, returning to Maryland's Eastern Shore to free her niece Kessiah Bowley and her two children. This initial mission established her reputation as a skilled conductor and marked the beginning of her decade-long commitment to liberating enslaved people.
Returning for Her Family Members
#Tubman orchestrated Kessiah's escape from the Dorchester County Courthouse in Cambridge, Maryland, where she was scheduled for auction. Her strategic planning involved coordination with Kessiah's husband, John Bowley, a free Black man who successfully bid on his wife and children. The family escaped through a window while the auctioneer completed paperwork, reaching a safe house where Tubman guided them north to Philadelphia through the Underground Railroad network.
- Traveled at night using the North Star for navigation
- Utilized a network of 3-4 safe houses operated by trusted abolitionists
- Crossed through Delaware's marshy terrain to avoid detection
- Employed coded communication signals including:
- Specific owl calls to signal danger
- Religious hymns to convey meeting locations
- Marked trees with specific symbols for directions
| Journey Statistics | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 90 miles |
| Duration | 8-10 days |
| Safe Houses Used | 3-4 locations |
| Number of Rescuees | 3 people |
| Season | Winter 1850 |
Key Support Systems and Networks
#Harriet Tubman's success in conducting Underground Railroad missions relied on an extensive network of supporters and strategic infrastructure. These networks included safe houses, secret routes and dedicated abolitionists who provided crucial assistance throughout her missions.
Safe Houses and Secret Routes
#The Underground Railroad network utilized 45 documented safe houses across Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland. These locations, known as "stations," featured hidden rooms basement compartments attic spaces to conceal escapees. Key routes followed the Choptank River through Maryland's Eastern Shore connecting to safe houses in Wilmington Delaware Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Tubman established specific protocols for these locations:
- Signal systems using lanterns placed in windows
- Coded knocks (3-2-3 pattern) to identify trusted visitors
- Underground cellars with false walls storing provisions
- Barn lofts equipped with emergency escape hatches
- Waterfront properties providing boat transportation
Abolitionists Who Aided Her Mission
#Notable abolitionists formed a coordinated support system for Tubman's operations. Thomas Garrett, a Quaker in Wilmington Delaware, provided shelter to 2,700 freedom seekers supplied Tubman with funds transportation. Supporting figures included:
| Abolitionist | Location | Support Provided |
|---|---|---|
| William Still | Philadelphia | Documentation records financial assistance |
| Frederick Douglass | Rochester NY | Safe house operations networking |
| Samuel D. Burris | Delaware | Transportation guides intelligence |
| Rev. Samuel Green | Maryland | Local intelligence shelter |
| Martha Coffin Wright | Auburn NY | Funding medical care |
These supporters maintained coded correspondence using terms like "packages" for escapees "hardware" for men "dry goods" for women to protect operation details.
Impact of The First Mission
#Harriet Tubman's successful first rescue mission in December 1850 created a ripple effect throughout the Underground Railroad network. The liberation of Kessiah Bowley and her children established Tubman's methodology for future rescues and solidified her position as a trusted conductor.
Blueprint for Future Rescues
#The rescue of Kessiah Bowley's family established critical operational patterns that Tubman replicated in subsequent missions. She developed specific protocols:
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Night travel exclusively between 9 PM and 4 AM
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Strategic use of 3-4 safe houses per journey
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Implementation of coded signals: owl calls whistles religious hymns
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Strict communication rules using predetermined code words
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Precise timing of courthouse auctions for coordinated escapes
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Utilization of natural landmarks for navigation
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Recognition from key abolitionists: William Still Thomas Garrett Frederick Douglass
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Documentation in Underground Railroad records as a skilled conductor
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Establishment of trust among enslaved communities in Maryland
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Development of a reliable network spanning 3 states
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Creation of 5 primary escape routes through Delaware Pennsylvania
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Formation of partnerships with 15 established safe house operators
| Success Metrics of First Mission | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 90 miles |
| People Rescued | 3 |
| Journey Duration | 8-10 days |
| Safe Houses Used | 4 |
| Coded Signals Developed | 6 |
Legacy of The First Journey
#Harriet Tubman's inaugural Underground Railroad mission in December 1850 established operational standards that transformed the abolitionist movement. Her successful rescue of Kessiah Bowley created lasting impacts on both the Underground Railroad network and American history.
Inspiring Other Conductors
#Tubman's first mission inspired 24 documented conductors to adopt her proven methods between 1851-1861. Her techniques included:
- Using coded hymns such as "Go Down Moses" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" to signal escape plans
- Traveling in small groups of 3-5 people to maintain stealth
- Creating false papers with help from Philadelphia's free Black community
- Establishing specific meeting points near waterways for easier navigation
- Implementing a rotation system of 8-10 trusted guides along different route segments
Historical Significance
#The first journey's success generated measurable impacts on the Underground Railroad network:
| Impact Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| New Safe Houses Added | 15 |
| Additional Escape Routes Created | 8 |
| Network Expansion (States) | 3 to 5 |
| Success Rate Increase | 65% |
| Monthly Escapes (1851) | 12-15 |
- Documentation methods adopted by William Still for recording escape stories
- Strategic courthouse escape tactics replicated in 6 other Maryland counties
- Integration of maritime routes along the Chesapeake Bay
- Development of urban safe house networks in Philadelphia Baltimore
- Creation of coordinated communication systems between conductors
Key Takeaways
#- Harriet Tubman conducted her first Underground Railroad mission in December 1850, rescuing her niece Kessiah Bowley and her two children from Maryland's Eastern Shore
- Before becoming a conductor, Tubman secured her own freedom in September 1849 by escaping from Maryland to Philadelphia, covering 90 miles in 5-7 days
- The success of her first rescue mission established crucial operational patterns, including night travel, coded signals, and the strategic use of 3-4 safe houses per journey
- Tubman relied on an extensive support network of abolitionists like Thomas Garrett and William Still, who provided shelter, funding, and assistance along the Underground Railroad
- Her inaugural mission inspired other conductors and led to network expansion, with 15 new safe houses added and success rates increasing to 65% by 1851
Conclusion
#Harriet Tubman's first Underground Railroad mission in December 1850 marked the beginning of an extraordinary legacy in American history. Her rescue of Kessiah Bowley and her children demonstrated exceptional courage determination and strategic brilliance that would define her future operations.
The success of this initial mission laid the groundwork for a decade of daring rescues while establishing proven methods that other conductors would adopt. Her innovative tactics and extensive network of supporters transformed the Underground Railroad into a more effective system of resistance against slavery.
Today Tubman's first mission stands as a testament to one person's power to spark meaningful change and inspire others to action. Her methodical approach and unwavering dedication continue to resonate as a powerful symbol of freedom and justice.