My mother, Evelyn Ross Taylor was born on March 16, 1918 to Earl Ross and his wife Ida in East New Market, Maryland. She was one of five siblings who lived in Bristol, Pennsylvania but often went to Maryland to visit their grandfather, William Henry Harrison Ross. He was the son of Martin Ross, born 1793 father of 17 children the youngest of whom was Benjamin Ross, the father of Harriet Ross Tubman. The story was passed down by his children who retold it to their sons and daughters.

     My mother’s siblings, Pauline Ross Davis, Sam and Earl are all gone except the youngest sister Mary Ross Sanes who has a problem remembering accounts of these stories. The three oldest remembered their grandfather telling them about Harriet Ross Tubman. They were proud of their lineage but said little about it until they were much older, “We never heard about her in school we only knew our father told us what a great woman she was.”  Well the time came when a great deal was being spoken about Harriet or “Hat” as their father would call her.

     To know my mother and her siblings you would know they were Ross’s, short in stature, with a strong commitment to forge ahead in the wake of any situation. They stood out as people of worth.

      At the time of their death the flag was flown at half-mast for two of the siblings, Pauline and Sam honoring their contributions to the town of Bristol. Pauline served on the Borough School Board for twenty-one years and Sam was on the Borough Planning board for many years.

     Before she passed away at Eighty Five years of age, my mother was an active member of the African American Historical & Cultural Society of Bucks County whose mission is to erect a monument of Harriet Ross Tubman on the banks of the Delaware River at Lions Park in Historic Bristol, Pennsylvania in Bucks County.

     If you saw my mother you would have no doubt she was a relative of Harriet Tubman, with her staunch firm body, talking with her fist raised upward. She had an effect on those she talked to, and talk she did.

     Harriet Ross Tubman died on March 10^th 1913. Commencing with this year 2004, the State of New York will honor and celebrate Harriet Tubman day every March 10^th.

     Last year at this time the town Council appropriately issued the following proclamation:     

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROJECT OF THE

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL AND

CULTURAL SOCIETY OF BUCKS COUNTY TO ERECT A

HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN MONUMENT AT BRISTOL LIONS PARK 

     “WHEREAS, the African American Historical and Cultural Society of Bucks County has proposed to construct a monument at Bristol Lions Park in the likeness of Harriet Ross Tubman to honor the courage and strength of those citizens who fought for freedom and to escape the shackles of slavery, and

     WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bristol desire to set forth their approval and support of this worthy endeavor.

     NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of the Borough of Bristol and it is hereby resolved by the authority of the same that the Borough of Bristol hereby supports the construction of a monument at Bristol Lions Park in the likeness of Harriet Ross Tubman. This memorial will recognize the efforts of all people to strive for individual freedom and against repression. The Council and Mayor of Bristol Borough wish the Society good fortune in its future efforts to make this worthy project a reality.

     DULY RESOLVED this 10^th day of March 2003.”

    (Signed by the President of Council, Don McCloskey and Mayor Joseph A. Saxton.)

     When we accomplish our task of erecting this monument we will invite you to join in our celebration of this event.