1856

By the mid-1850s, freedom seekers and abolitionists alike called Harriet Tubman "Moses" — the deliverer of her people. Over approximately 13 missions between 1849 and 1860, she guided roughly 70 people out of slavery across the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She famously said she never lost a passenger and that she would have freed thousands more "if they had known they were slaves." A $40,000 bounty was offered for her capture.

The AME Church purchased Wilberforce University in Ohio — originally founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856 — making it the first university in the US owned and operated by Black Americans. Bishop Daniel Payne became its first Black president in 1863. Wilberforce trained Black ministers, teachers, and professionals who led the post-war reconstruction of Southern Black communities.

The AME Church purchased Wilberforce University in Ohio, making it the first university in the US owned and operated by Black Americans. Bishop Daniel Payne became its first Black president in 1863. Wilberforce trained Black ministers, teachers, and professionals who led post-war reconstruction of Southern Black communities.

During an 1856 mission, Tubman administered paregoric to quiet a crying baby whose noise threatened to expose the group. This mission exemplified her reputation: "Once you start, there's no turning back." She reportedly told hesitant freedom seekers that dead folks tell no tales. A $40,000 bounty had been placed on her capture by mid-decade.

During an 1856 mission, Harriet Tubman led a group that included a baby whose crying threatened to expose them. Tubman administered paregoric — a camphorated tincture of opium — to quiet the infant for the critical passage through populated areas. This mission exemplified Tubman's reputation: she was said to have told freedom seekers that once they started, there could be no turning back. "Dead folks tell no tales," she reportedly warned.