Tobacco Stick Maryland now Madison - Harriet Tubman's Eastern Shore of Maryland

Tobacco Stick Maryland now Madison

Teenaged Harriet was hired out to John T. Stewart, who owned farms, businesses here, and a shipyard here in Tobacco Stick Maryland now Madison, Md. Her father, Ben Ross, also worked for Stewart after he was freed in 1840.  It was near here that Harriet met and married freeman John Tubman in 1844.In December 1854 Harriet Tubman sent a coded letter to Jacob Jackson, a free black farmer who lived west of Madison.   The postmaster read the letter and confronted Jackson, and he denied understanding what it meant. Soon, however, Jackson notified Tubman’s three brothers of her plans to lead them north from their parent’s home at Poplar Neck in Caroline County.

A large community of enslaved african americans families lived and worked between Harrisville Whitemarsh Roads, creating an important social world for Harriet Tubman and her family.

Tobacco Stick Maryland now Madison - Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore of Maryland

Madison Md - Harriet Tubman's Eastern Shore of Maryland

Tobacco Stick Maryland now Madison

Harriet Tubman was born on a farm just south of here.  There are claims that she was born in Madison, but those claims are inaccurate she was born on a Farm 2 Miles south. Harriet Tubman, was probably born in February or early March on Anthony Thompson’s plantation in the Peters Neck District, south of Madison, near the Blackwater River.  Close but not quite in Madison.

Madison Md - Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore of Maryland

Harriet Tubman Childhood home

Harriet Tubman Childhood home - Harriet Tubman's Eastern Shore of Maryland

Here was Harriet Tubman's Childhood home, it was know as the Brodess Farm. It was owned by Slave owner Edward Brodess. Her mother Rit Ross worked on the farm as a cook. Harriet tended muskrat traps in the Marshes close by.  She was often separated from her Mother when she was hired out, to others.   Harriet’s brothers, Ben and Robert, recalled the cruel treatment by Edward Brodess. Robert said Edward Brodess “was not fit to own a dog.”

The Brodess Farm was behind this Historical Marker it in now Private Property.

Harriet Tubman Childhood home - Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore of Maryland