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Primary sourceBook1872

Sketches in the History of the Underground Railroad

William Still · 1872

A contemporary account by Underground Railroad conductor William Still documenting routes and rescues, including those involving Harriet Tubman.

This contemporary account documents routes Tubman used on the Underground Railroad and references her rescue work.

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About this source

What it is

Written by William Still in 1872, this book documents the operations of the Underground Railroad, including routes used and rescues carried out. It mentions Harriet Tubman's role in these efforts.

Why it matters

Still was directly involved in Underground Railroad work in Philadelphia, making his account a firsthand record of the system Tubman also worked within. Together, these accounts help build a fuller picture of how escapes were organized and who was involved, including Tubman.

Look closer

  • Why was it risky for someone like Still to keep written records of this work at the time?
  • What does this account suggest about the scale and organization of the Underground Railroad?
  • How might Tubman's actions described here compare to other accounts of her rescues?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Harriet Tubman on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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