
See more

Did Frederick Douglass go to Baltimore?
Frederick Douglass' story as an abolitionist and writer was heavily influenced by his time in Baltimore where he worked at the shipyards in Fell's Point before escaping to freedom in 1838.
At what age was Frederick Douglass sent to work in Baltimore?
When he turned eight years old, his slaveowner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom.
Why was Frederick Douglass picked to go to Baltimore?
Children eat corn mush out of a communal trough, so only the strongest children get enough to eat. At the age of seven or eight, Douglass is selected to go to Baltimore to live with Captain Anthony's son‑in‑law's brother, Hugh Auld.
What happened in 1838 Frederick Douglass?
Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery on September 3, 1838, aided by a disguise and job skills he had learned while forced to work in Baltimore's shipyards. Douglass posed as a sailor when he grabbed a train in Baltimore that was headed to Philadelphia.
How long did Frederick Douglass live in Baltimore?
But after seven years as a domestic slave in Baltimore, he was sent off to a plantation to labor in a field. Enduring brutal treatment, he attempted escape in April of 1836, but was discovered and severely punished.
What is the significance of Douglass move to Baltimore at the end of Ch 5?
To Douglass, his move to Baltimore laid the foundations for his freedom. He believes it quite possible that he would still be languishing in slavery if he had not been moved to the city.
Where did Frederick Douglass live in Baltimore?
Douglass PlaceLocation516-524 S. Dallas St., Baltimore, MarylandCoordinates39°17′6″N 76°35′47″WArealess than one acreBuilt1892Significant dates11 more rows
How old was Douglass when he was sent back to the farm after living in Baltimore?
When Douglass is about seven, something good finally happens: he is sent to Baltimore to work for a new master, Mr. Auld. In Baltimore, Mrs.
How old was Douglass when he was sent back to the farm after living in Baltimore?
When Douglass is about seven, something good finally happens: he is sent to Baltimore to work for a new master, Mr. Auld. In Baltimore, Mrs.
When did Frederick Douglass start working on the plantation?
Lloyd's plantation functioned like a small town. Young Douglass found himself among several other enslaved children competing for food and other comforts. In 1826 at approximately age eight, he was sent to live with Hugh and Sophia Auld at Fells Point, Baltimore. Hugh's brother Capt.
Where did Frederick Douglass live in Baltimore?
Douglass PlaceLocation516-524 S. Dallas St., Baltimore, MarylandCoordinates39°17′6″N 76°35′47″WArealess than one acreBuilt1892Significant dates11 more rows
How old was Frederick Douglass when he escaped slavery?
At the age of 20, after several failed attempts, he escaped from slavery and arrived in New York City on Sept. 4, 1838. Frederick Bailey, who changed his last name to Douglass soon after his arrival, would later write in his autobiography, “A new world has opened upon me.
What was Frederick Douglass’s childhood like?
Frederick Douglass was born in slavery to a Black mother and a white father. At age eight the man who owned him sent him to Baltimore, Maryland, to...
How did Frederick Douglass become involved in the abolitionist movement?
Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery to New York City in 1838, later settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. At an 1841 antislavery convention,...
How was Frederick Douglass involved in the American Civil War and Reconstruction?
During the American Civil War Frederick Douglass served as an adviser to Pres. Abraham Lincoln. Douglass played a crucial role in persuading Lincol...
What are some of Frederick Douglass’s most famous writings and speeches?
Frederick Douglass published three autobiographies. The first autobiography, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Wr...
What was Frederick Douglass’s legacy?
Frederick Douglass was a prolific writer and a masterful orator who captivated readers and listeners throughout the U.S. and Great Britain. His tal...
What was Frederick Douglass's goal in Baltimore?
Years after he transformed the nation with his ideas for reformation, Douglass returned to Baltimore to build a row of houses for African American renters— brick-and-mortar examples of his commitment to creating stability and community for African Americans in the years following the Civil War.
Where did Frederick Douglass work?
Frederick Douglass’ story as an abolitionist and writer was heavily influenced by his time in Baltimore where he worked at the shipyards in Fell’s Point before escaping to freedom in 1838. Later in life, he returned to his roots to continue helping his community.
What did Douglass do?
Lancaster Street. Douglass worked in shipbuilding as a young man. During his time at the shipyards of James Beacham and William Gardner, Douglass became a skilled builder and caulker.
What is the name of the building that Frederick Douglass passed through?
President Street Station. Frederick Douglass is thought to have passed through President Street Station as part of his journey on the Underground Railroad. The station is now the city’s civil war museum, with a special exhibition on the Underground Railroad. Tour Baltimore’s Civil War Museum in the original President Street Station building.
Why was Frederick Douglass sent to Happy Alley?
Happy Alley (Aliceanna & South Durham Streets) Born into slavery, Douglass was sent to this part of Fell’s Point as a child to serve the family of Hugh Auld. In spite of her husband’s disapproval, Auld’s wife Sophia taught young Frederick the alphabet.
Who created the statue of Frederick Douglass?
The bronze structure was created by artist Marc Andre Robinson, a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. The exhibits at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum tell the story ...
What is the Douglass Meyers Museum?
A rich, interactive experience for families and history lovers of all ages, this national heritage site recounts the story of Frederick Douglass and his life as a young man in the shipyards in Baltimore and the Eastern Shore. The Douglass-Meyers museum also celebrates the legacy of Isaac Myers and the founding of the Chesapeake Marine Railway ...
Why did Frederick Douglass move to Rochester?
During his first few years in Rochester, Douglass remained loyal to Garrison’s philosophy, which promoted moral suasion, stated that the U.S. Constitution was an invalid document, and discouraged participation in American politics because it was a system corrupted by slavery. In 1851, however, Douglass announced his split from Garrison when he declared that the Constitution was a valid legal document that could be used on behalf of emancipation. Consequently, Douglass became more engaged in American politics and constitutional interpretation.
Where was Frederick Douglass born?
Douglass was born enslaved as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland. Although the date of his birth was not recorded, Douglass estimated that he had been born in February 1818, and he later celebrated his birthday on February 14. (The best source for the events in Douglass’s life is Douglass himself in his oratory and writings, especially his three autobiographies, the details of which have been checked when possible and have largely been confirmed, though his biographers have contributed corrections and clarifications.) Douglass was owned by Capt. Aaron Anthony, who was the clerk and superintendent of overseers for Edward Lloyd V (also known as Colonel Lloyd), a wealthy landowner and slaveholder in eastern Maryland. Like many other enslaved children, Douglass was separated from his mother, Harriet Bailey, when he was very young. He spent his formative years with his maternal grandmother, Betsey Bailey, who had the responsibility of raising young enslaved children.
How did Frederick Douglass escape?
After that encounter, Douglass was determined to escape his bondage. He escaped in September 1838 by dressing as a sailor and traveling from Baltimore to Wilmington, Delaware, by train, then on to Philadelphia by steamboat, and from there to New York City by train. Black sailors in the 19th century traveled with documents granting them protection under the American flag. Douglass used such documents to secure his passage north with the help of Anna, who, according to family lore, had sold her feather bed to help finance his passage.
What newspaper did Frederick Douglass read?
In New Bedford he discovered William Lloyd Garrison ’s abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator. Inspired by it, Douglass attended a Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society convention in Nantucket in the summer of 1841. At the meeting, abolitionist William C. Coffin, having heard Douglass speak in New Bedford, invited him to address the general body. Douglass’s extemporaneous speech was lauded by the audience, and he was recruited as an agent for the group.
What books did Frederick Douglass write?
Douglass would publish two additional autobiographies: My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881). The Narrative quickly became popular, especially in Europe, but the book’s success contributed to Hugh Auld’s determination to return Douglass to the conditions of enslavement.
Why did Frederick Douglass split from the Garrison?
In 1851, however, Douglass announced his split from Garrison when he declared that the Constitution was a valid legal document that could be used on behalf of emancipation. Consequently, Dou glass became more engaged in American politics and constitutional interpretation.
Why did Frederick Douglass' newspaper New National Era close?
The newspaper folded in 1874 because of its poor fiscal health. That same year Douglass was appointed president of the Freedman’s Savings & Trust, also known as the Freedman’s Bank. The bank failed four months after he became president because of the years of corruption that predated his association with the bank. The bank’s failure harmed his reputation, but Douglass worked with the U.S. Congress to remedy the damage caused by the bank.
Where did Frederick Douglass live?
He had successfully escaped from slavery. After escaping, Frederick Douglass first lived at the Nathan and Polly Johnson house in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The home is now a National Historic Landmark. After escaping from slavery, Frederick married Anna.
How old was Frederick Douglass when he was hired as a body servant?
When he turned eight years old, his slaveowner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore.
How many presidents did Frederick Douglass serve?
After the fall of Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass managed to retain high-ranking federal appointments. He served under five presidents as U.S. Marshal for D.C. (1877-1881), Recorder of Deeds for D.C. (1881-1886), and Minister Resident and Consul General to Haiti (1889-1891).
Why did Frederick Douglass write his first autobiography?
In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas.
What did Frederick Douglass' speeches continue to agitate for?
His speeches continued to agitate for racial equality and women's rights. In 1881, Douglass published his third autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, which took a long view of his life's work, the nation's progress, and the work left to do.
What did Frederick Douglass argue about the Civil War?
He argued that freedom would be empty if former slaves were not guaranteed the rights and protections of American citizens. A series of postwar amendments sought to make some of these tremendous changes. The 13th Amendment (ratified in 1865) abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment (ratified in 1868) granted national birthright citizenship, and the 15th Amendment (ratified in 1870) stated nobody could be denied voting rights on the basis of race, skin color, or previous servitude.
How many children did Frederick Douglass have?
There, they adopted the last name "Douglass" and they started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery.
Where did Frederick Douglass live when he was 6?
At the age of 6, Frederick was separated from his grandparents and moved to the Wye House plantation, where Aaron Anthony worked as overseer. After Anthony died in 1826, Douglass was given to Lucretia Auld, wife of Thomas Auld, who sent him to serve Thomas' brother Hugh Auld in Baltimore. Douglass felt that he was lucky to be in the city, where he said slaves were almost freemen, compared to those on plantations.
Who took Frederick Douglass back from Hugh?
In 1833, Thomas Auld took Douglass back from Hugh (" [a]s a means of punishing Hugh," Douglass later wrote). Thomas sent Douglass to work for Edward Covey, a poor farmer who had a reputation as a "slave-breaker". He whipped Douglass so frequently that his wounds had little time to heal. Douglass later said the frequent whippings broke his body, soul, and spirit. The 16-year-old Douglass finally rebelled against the beatings, however, and fought back. After Douglass won a physical confrontation, Covey never tried to beat him again. Recounting his beatings at Covey's farm in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Douglass described himself as "a man transformed into a brute!" Still, Douglass came to see his physical fight with Covey as life-transforming, and introduced the story in his autobiography as such: "You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man."
What did Charles Douglass do for Lincoln?
He made plans with Lincoln to move liberated slaves out of the South. During the war, Douglass also helped the Union cause by serving as a recruiter for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. His eldest son, Charles Douglass, joined the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, but was ill for much of his service.
What was the name of the newspaper that Frederick Douglass started?
in 1847, using £500 (equivalent to $46,030 in 2019) given him by English supporters, Douglass started publishing his first abolitionist newspaper, the North Star, from the basement of the Memorial AME Zion Church in Rochester, New York. Originally, Pittsburgh journalist Martin Delany was co-editor but Douglass didn't feel he brought in enough subscriptions, and they parted ways. The North Star ' s motto was "Right is of no Sex – Truth is of no Color – God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren." The AME Church and North Star vigorously opposed the mostly white American Colonization Society and its proposal to send blacks back to Africa. Douglass also soon split with Garrison, perhaps because the North Star competed with Garrison's National Anti-Slavery Standard and Marius Robinson's Anti-Slavery Bugle. Besides publishing the North Star and delivering speeches, Douglass also participated in the Underground Railroad. He and his wife provided lodging and resources in their home to more than four hundred escaped slaves.
What was Frederick Douglass' first autobiography?
Autobiography. Douglass' best-known work is his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, written during his time in Lynn, Massachusetts and published in 1845.
Why did Frederick Douglass argue for African Americans to be allowed to fight for their freedom?
Douglass and the abolitionists argued that because the aim of the Civil War was to end slavery , African Americans should be allowed to engage in the fight for their freedom. Douglass publicized this view in his newspapers and several speeches. In August 1861 he published an account of the First Battle of Bull Run, noting that some blacks were already in the Confederate ranks. A few weeks later, Douglass brought the subject up again, quoting a witness to the battle who said they saw black Confederates "with muskets on their shoulders and bullets in their pockets." Douglass conferred with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 on the treatment of black soldiers, and with President Andrew Johnson on the subject of black suffrage.
How many acres did Frederick Douglass own?
One year later, Douglass purchased adjoining lots and expanded the property to 15 acres (61,000 m 2 ). The home is now preserved as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site . In 1881, Douglass published the final edition of his autobiography, The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
Where did Frederick Douglass stop short?
Shortly after arriving in New Bedford, Douglass headed toward the wharves, but stopped short after spotting a pile of coal outside a Union Street home. At 174 Union Street, he met Mrs. Ephraim Peabody and asked if he could put the coal away for her. She consented, and paid Douglass two silver half-dollars for his work.
Who encouraged Frederick Douglass to adopt the surname Douglass?
They arrived on September 17, and were welcomed by African-American abolitionists Nathan and Polly Johnson. While in their home at 21 Seventh Street, Nathan Johnson encouraged Frederick to adopt the surname Douglass.
Why did Frederick Douglass choose Zion Church?
Douglass himself registered to vote less than a year after arriving in New Bedford, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church became his platform for articulating his beliefs about slavery and freedom. Local banker William C. Coffin heard Douglass speak, probably in 1841 when the church was located on North Second Street, and was so impressed by Douglass’ sermon that he invited Douglass to speak in Nantucket. Douglass traveled to Nantucket in August 1841, and there delivered an impassioned address that launched his career as an antislavery lecturer.
What did Douglass do?
Douglass also worked as a laborer on the wharves for Rodney French and George Howland. There, he had wanted to work as a caulker, making the ships water-tight. However, he encountered resistance from white caulkers. Douglass also worked at Anthony D. Richmond’s foundry.
How old was Annie Douglass when she died?
Charles Remond Douglass was born on October 21, 1844 in Lynn. Annie Douglass was born on March 22, 1849 in Rochester, New York; she died at the age of 10 years old.
How many children did Frederick Douglass have?
But his presence and prominence helped to stamp the city as a refuge for fugitives, a past of which the city remains proud to this day. Three of Douglass’ five children were also born in New Bedford. Rosetta Douglass was born on June 24, 1839. Lewis Henry Douglass was born on October 9, 1840.
Where did Anna Douglass live?
In 1839, Frederick and Anna Douglass moved to 157 Elm Street, their first home located in an African American neighborhood in the West End of New Bedford. Douglass’ daughter, Rosetta Douglass Sprague, later recorded in a memoir of her mother, Anna Murray Douglass: My Mother as I Recall Her, 1900, reprint 1923:
Where did Frederick Douglass live?
Frederick Douglass went to Baltimore to live with Hugh Auld, the brother of his old master's son-in-law, Captain Thomas Auld.
Why does Frederick have to wash off plantation scurf?
As Frederick candidly admits, this isn't due to pride on his part; it's because Mrs. Lucretia has told him that people in Baltimore are very clean and that they'll laugh at him if he's dirty. She's also given him a pair of trousers which she's determined he won't wear until and unless he's removed all the dirt from his skin.
What incentive does Frederick have to do something?
For the first time in his life, Frederick now has a good incentive to do something: an opportunity to work for a reward. Baltimore beckons, the start of a new chapter in his life.
When did Frederick Douglass celebrate his birthday?
Douglass always looked back on February 14, 1838, as the day when his “free life began,” and for the rest of his life he celebrated the date in place of his unknown birthday.
When did Frederick Douglass begin his free life?
Douglass looked back on September 3, 1838 as the day when his “free life began,” but he encountered several close calls during his journey to freedom. Douglass looked back on September 3, 1838 as the day when his “free life began,” but he encountered several close calls during his journey to freedom. Never had Frederick Douglass been so nervous.
Why did Douglass jump on the train?
To avoid the scrutinizing eyes of the ticket agent inside the station, Douglass waited and jumped on the moving train at the last moment as it began to puff its way north. Many minutes passed before the conductor finally entered the segregated passenger car bearing the train’s African-American riders.
What happened to Frederick Douglass after he tried to escape slavery?
After Douglass’ attempt to escape slavery two years prior was betrayed by a fellow slave, he had been jailed, sent to Baltimore by his master and hired out to work in the city’s shipyards. Undeterred, Douglass vowed to try to escape again on September 3, 1838, although he knew the risk. “I felt assured that if I failed in this attempt, my case would be a hopeless one,” he wrote in his autobiography. “It would seal my fate as a slave forever.”
Why did Frederick Douglass reveal his escape?
When Douglass published his autobiography in 1845, he divulged few details about his escape in order to protect those who abetted him and to keep authorities ignorant of the method he employed to slip the bonds of slavery. It was not until 1881 that he finally detailed his escape.
Why did Frederick Douglass disguise himself as a free black sailor?
Douglass disguised himself as a free black sailor, a creditable ruse given the nautical knowledge he gained from working on the waterfront. The slave also knew that the deference shown to sailors in a seafaring city such as Baltimore could work to his benefit.
Where did Douglass go to escape?
The afternoon following their nuptials, Douglass and his new bride set off to safer refuge in New Bedford, Massachusetts . There, he began his life as an abolitionist crusader. To better conceal his identity from slave catchers, the escaped slave changed his last name from Bailey to Douglass.

Overview
Life as a slave
Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Talbot County, Maryland. The plantation was between Hillsboro and Cordova; his birthplace was likely his grandmother's cabin east of Tappers Corner, (38°53′04″N 75°57′29″W / 38.8845°N 75.958°W ) and west of Tuckahoe Creek. In his first autobiography, Douglass stated: "I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it." …
From slavery to freedom
Douglass first tried to escape from Freeland, who had hired him from his owner, but was unsuccessful. In 1837, Douglass met and fell in love with Anna Murray, a free black woman in Baltimore about five years his senior. Her free status strengthened his belief in the possibility of gaining his own freedom. Murray encouraged him and supported his efforts by aid and money.
Abolitionist and preacher
The couple settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts (an abolitionist center, full of former slaves), in 1838, moving to Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1841. After meeting and staying with Nathan and Mary Johnson, they adopted Douglass as their married name. Douglass had grown up using his mother's surname of Bailey; after escaping slavery he had changed his surname first to Stanley and then t…
Religious views
As a child, Douglass was exposed to a number of religious sermons, and in his youth, he sometimes heard Sophia Auld reading the Bible. In time, he became interested in literacy; he began reading and copying bible verses, and he eventually converted to Christianity. He described this approach in his last biography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass:
I was not more than thirteen years old, when in my loneliness and destitution I longed for some …
Civil War years
By the time of the Civil War, Douglass was one of the most famous black men in the country, known for his orations on the condition of the black race and on other issues such as women's rights. His eloquence gathered crowds at every location. His reception by leaders in England and Ireland added to his stature.
He had been seriously proposed for the seat of his friend and supporter Gerrit …
Reconstruction era
After the Civil War, Douglass continued to work for equality for African Americans and women. Due to his prominence and activism during the war, Douglass received several political appointments. He served as president of the Reconstruction-era Freedman's Savings Bank.
Meanwhile, white insurgents had quickly arisen in the South after the war, orga…
Family life
Douglass and Anna Murray had five children: Rosetta Douglass, Lewis Henry Douglass, Frederick Douglass Jr., Charles Remond Douglass, and Annie Douglass (died at the age of ten). Charles and Rosetta helped produce his newspapers.
Anna Douglass remained a loyal supporter of her husband's public work. His re…