in what year did harriet tubman escape slavery?
Harriet Tubman became famous as a âconductorâ on the Underground Railroad during the turbulent 1850s. Born a slave on Marylandâs eastern shore, she endured the harsh existence of a field hand, including brutal beatings. In 1849 she fled slavery, leaving her husband and family behind in order to escape. Despite a bounty on her head, she returned to the South at least 19 times to lead her family and hundreds of other slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Tubman also served as a scout, spy and nurse during the Civil War.