Harriet Tubman descendant, Pauline Copes Johnson, dies at 98

AUBURN, N.Y. — Pauline Copes Johnson, a direct descendant of Harriet Tubman and a longtime steward of her legacy, has died at age 98. The Harriet Tubman A.M.E. Zion Church in Auburn announced her death on Dec. 8.

Pauline Copes Johnson: A Life Rooted in Tubman’s Legacy

Johnson was Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece and lived in the same community where Tubman settled after escaping slavery in Maryland. She remained an active member of the Harriet Tubman A.M.E. Zion Church, which Tubman also supported.

In a 2013 interview with The Grio, Johnson said she learned of her family connection at age 25. Her relatives kept the history quiet for years because they feared retaliation from former slaveholders. She said the family believed that “confederates wanted her, and although she was dead, they would come after the relatives.”

Honoring Tubman Through Education and Advocacy

Tubman purchased her Auburn home in the 1850s and later freed her family and more than 70 others from slavery. After discovering her lineage, Johnson worked to preserve that history. She traveled nationwide to teach students about Tubman’s life and impact. She also pushed for Tubman to appear on the $20 bill and served as a docent at Tubman’s Auburn home.

Johnson said she felt called to continue Tubman’s mission. She believed schools should highlight Black history daily and urged communities to honor their ancestors. “I think Black history should be celebrated every day of the year,” she told The Grio.

Pauline Copes Johnson: A Champion of Historical Truth

Throughout her life, Johnson protected Tubman’s story and fought to keep it visible. She viewed the work as a family duty and a public responsibility. Her efforts helped expand national awareness of Tubman’s leadership, courage, and lifelong fight for freedom.

Pauline Copes Johnson leaves behind a legacy of education, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to truth. Her work ensured that Harriet Tubman’s story reached new generations and remained central to American history.