She was a born rebel
To say that Tubman had a tough childhood would be a significant understatement. As a young child, she was required to look after her younger brothers or sisters when their mother was away for long spells working in her owner’s home. Then, when Tubman herself was five or six years old, she was forced into domestic service herself. She was employed as a nursemaid and required to look after her owner’s baby through the night. If the baby woke and cried out, Tubman would be whipped.
Such cruelty at such a young age did not, however, break Tubman. In fact, it made her stronger. She carried out little acts of rebellion. She learned to wear several layers of clothing at all times. Though this might have been uncomfortable while working long days in the summer, it offered some protection from her mistress’s beatings. Tubman would also fight back against her mistress, even if this ended up getting her into more trouble.
Increasingly, Tubman looked to her faith for guidance on how to endure life as a slave. Like many fellow slaves, she shunned the New Testament, where slaves are advised to behave and accept their lot in life. Rather, Tubman found comfort and inspiration in the books of the Old Testament. Here, the slaves fought back and eventually escaped to their freedom. From a young age, then, Tubman dreamed of deliverance and liberty. Indeed, as a child, she even ran away from her plantation for one day or several days, though she always came back. Tubman would have to wait until she was older and stronger until she could run away for good.