During her teenage years, she learned domestic and agricultural skills. Additionally, she developed skills in herbal medicine and midwifery taught to her by other female slaves. These skills were passed down from African, Caribbean, and Native American traditions. Her knowledge benefited both the slaves and the plantation owners. Biddy was either given to or sold to Robert Mayes Smith and his bride Rebecca Dorn Smith in the 1840s. According to some stories, she was given to the Smiths as a wedding present, but records are not clear as to why she moved to the Smiths' Mississippi plantation. Biddy was valuable to the Smiths because of her knowledge of medicine, child care, and livestock care.