Harriet Tubman is a well-known figure in American history, as she was an abolitionist, activist, and humanitarian who helped free hundreds of enslaved people through the Underground Railroad. But what about her own family? Did she have any children of her own? Who was Gertie Davis, the girl she adopted as her daughter? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Harriet’s family, focusing on her daughter Gertie Davis.
Harriet Tubman’s Early Life and Family
Harriet was born as Araminta “Minty” Ross in 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She was one of nine children born to Harriet “Rit” Green and Ben Ross, who were both enslaved by different owners. Rit was owned by Mary Pattison Brodess, while Ben was owned by Anthony Thompson. Rit and Ben were married around 1808 and lived together until 1823 or 1824, when Rit and their children moved to the Brodess farm. Ben was a skilled timber worker and Rit was a domestic servant.
Tubman’s siblings were Linah, Mariah Ritty, Soph, Robert, Ben, Rachel, Henry, and Moses. Harriet was close to her brothers, especially Ben and Henry, who helped her escape from slavery in 1849. Harriet also had a strong bond with her sister Rachel, who was separated from her children when she was sold. Harriet tried to rescue Rachel and her children, but Rachel died before Harriet could find her. Harriet never knew what happened to her other sisters, Linah, Mariah Ritty, and Soph, who were likely sold to other plantations.
Her parents were also brave and resilient. Ben Ross was a leader among the enslaved community and a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He helped many people escape from slavery, including some of his own children. He was also a free man, as he was manumitted by Anthony Thompson in 1840. He later bought Rit’s freedom from the Brodess estate in 1855. Rit Ross was a devout Christian and a protective mother.
| Name | Harriet Tubman |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Araminta Ross |
| Birth date | c. March 1822 |
| Birthplace | Dorchester County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Death date | March 10, 1913 (aged 90–91) |
| Death place | Auburn, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Minty, Moses |
| Occupations | Civil War scout, spy, nurse, suffragist, civil rights activist |
| Known for | Guiding enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad |
| Spouses | John Tubman (1844–1849), Nelson Davis (1869–1888) |
| Daughter | Gertie Davis |
First Marriage and Escape
Harriet married John Tubman, a free black man, in 1844. John Tubman was a farmer and a musician. He and Harriet lived near the plantation where Harriet was enslaved. They did not have any children together. Harriet wanted to escape from slavery with John, but he did not share her desire for freedom. He threatened to betray her if she tried to run away.
Tubman made 13 trips back to Maryland between 1850 and 1860, rescuing about 70 people, including some of her family members and friends. She became known as “Moses” for leading her people to freedom. She also changed her name from Minty to Harriet, in honor of her mother. She used various disguises, codes, and strategies to avoid capture and detection.
She never lost a passenger and never turned back. She was also a fearless fighter, carrying a pistol and a knife for protection. She once said, “I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
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Second Marriage and Adoption
Harriet moved to Auburn, New York, in 1859, where she bought a farm with the help of Senator William H. Seward, a prominent abolitionist and supporter of hers. She also met Nelson Davis, a former slave from South Carolina, who had fought in the Civil War as a Union soldier. Nelson Davis was 22 years younger than Harriet Tubman, but they fell in love and got married in 1869 at the Central Presbyterian Church in Auburn. They did not have any biological children together, but they adopted a girl named Gertie in 1874.
Gertie Davis was born in 1865, the same year the Civil War ended. She was an orphan who was taken in by Harriet and Nelson as their daughter. She grew up in Auburn, where she attended school and church. She also helped her parents with their farm and their businesses. Harriet and Nelson raised pigs and chickens, and sold eggs and butter. They also ran a boarding house, where they welcomed many guests, including former slaves, abolitionists, suffragists, and civil rights activists. Gertie Davis was exposed to the rich history and culture of her parents and their friends. She also learned about her mother’s heroic deeds and legacy.
Gertie Davis was very close to her mother, Harriet. She accompanied her on many trips and events, such as the first meeting of the National Federation of Afro-American Women in 1896, where Harriet was the keynote speaker. She also cared for her mother when she became ill and frail in her later years. She suffered from severe headaches, seizures, and narcolepsy, due to a head injury she received when she was a young slave. She also contracted pneumonia in 1913, which led to her death on March 10, 1913, at the age of 91. Gertie Davis was by her side when she passed away.
Legacy and Gertie Davis’s Life After
Tubman was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. She was widely mourned and celebrated as a national hero and a symbol of freedom and courage. Her farm in Auburn became a home for the aged and indigent black people, which was her wish. Her life and achievements were commemorated in various ways, such as books, movies, stamps, statues, and museums. She was also honored by the US government, which named a national historical park, a naval ship, and a $20 bill after her.
Gertie Davis continued to live in Auburn after her mother’s death. She married Charles L. Buckner, a barber, in 1914. They did not have any children. Gertie Davis worked as a seamstress and a domestic worker. She also kept her mother’s memory alive by sharing her stories and artifacts with visitors and researchers. She died in 1952, at the age of 87. She was buried next to her parents at Fort Hill Cemetery.
Gertie Davis was the adopted daughter of Harriet, one of the most influential figures in American history. She was part of her family, which was marked by slavery, oppression, resistance, liberation, and activism. She witnessed and participated in her mother’s remarkable life and legacy, which inspired generations of people to fight for freedom, justice, and equality. Gertie Davis was not only Tubman’s daughter, but also her friend, companion, and caretaker. She was a proud and loyal member of her family.
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