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    Frederick Douglass: The Incredible Biography of a Former Slave
    Frederick Douglass: The Incredible Biography of a Former Slave
    Frederick Douglass: The Incredible Biography of a Former Slave
    Ebook138 pages1 hour

    Frederick Douglass: The Incredible Biography of a Former Slave

    By Henry Davis

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    About this ebook

    One of America's most famous anti-slavery advocates, Frederick Douglass is a man who has left a lasting and profound impact on both America, and the world.

     

    Now, inside this biography, you'll learn about Douglass' incredible life. From his time as a slave in Maryland to his journey to becoming one of America's most influential and famous anti-slavery voices, you'll discover how he taught himself to read, then went on to become a powerful speaker and oralist, and how he worked with the Underground Railroad to free slaves across the country.

     

    Including his early years, his travels across the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the speeches which changed the world, this biography is a powerful reminder of America's history, and the people who dedicated their lives to fighting for freedom.

     

    Buy now to discover Frederick Douglass' lifelong struggle against oppression and slavery, and the impact that lasts long after his passing.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHenry Davis
    Release dateJun 18, 2020
    ISBN9781393296218

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      Book preview

      Frederick Douglass - Henry Davis

      Frederick Douglass

      The Incredible Biography of a Former Slave

      ––––––––

      By Henry Davis

      © Copyright 2019 - All rights reserved.

      The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

      Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book. Either directly or indirectly.

      Legal Notice:

      This book is copyright protected. This book is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part, or the content within this book, without the consent of the author or publisher.

      Disclaimer Notice:

      Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, and reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

      By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a result of the use of information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, — errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Chapter 1: Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, 1818.

      Colonel Captain Anthony and Holmes Hill Farms

      Chapter 2: Colonel Lloyd's’ Plantation

      The Great House and Wye Plantation

      The Overseers

      Chapter 3: Childhood as a Slave for Frederick Bailey

      Preparing for Baltimore

      Chapter 4: The Journey to Escape Begins

      Mrs. Auld

      Chapter 5: Fredericks Quest to Read

      The Columbian Orator

      From Reading to Writing

      Evolved Thoughts on Education and His Freedom

      Chapter 6: Sent Away from Baltimore

      Being Valued and Divided Up

      Heading Back to the Country

      Ideas on Religion

      Chapter 7: Being Broken

      Mr. Covey

      Frederick Makes His First Speech

      Christmas Holiday for a Slave

      William Freeland

      Returning to Mr. Auld and Returning to Baltimore

      Chapter 8: Shipbuilding

      Escape to New York

      Meeting Mr. Ruggles

      Married Life in Massachusetts

      Chapter 9: Becoming a Voice

      William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips Speak.

      The Anti-Slavery Society

      The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

      On the Run in England and Scotland

      Freedom is Purchased by the English and Returns to the United States

      The North Star

      The Compromise of 1850

      Connection with the Women’s Activist Group

      Chapter 10: Taking Action

      Work with the Underground Railroad

      The Fugitive Slave Bill

      Meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe

      Meeting John Brown

      The Union Cause, the Civil War, and President Lincoln

      The 13th Amendment

      Chapter 11: Cedar Hill

      Federal Marshal for the District of Columbia.

      Helen Pitts and Frederick Travel

      Frederick’s Final Years

      Chapter 12: Influence After Death

      Conclusion

      Bibliography:

      Introduction

      It is difficult to hear and learn stories of oppression and slavery and accept that it is a part of the United States history. The life of a slave is one that must have been filled with confusion, anger, and disheartenment. It is a wonder how any found the strength or courage to stand up against the slaveholders or risk their lives escaping. Frederick Bailey, later to be better known as Frederick Douglass was one such slave.

      He was born at a time when freedom for a slave was rarely heard of and there were many struggles even a free slave would endure. Slavery had been a part the United States history since 1619. Slaves were a cheaper alternative to European servants. African people were shipped over by the boatloads and were put to work. It would be almost 200 years before slavery would begin to be abolished in the states. While the northern territories called for an end to the slave system, those in the south viewed the slaves as a necessity.

      It was around this time that a future leader would be born. Frederick Douglass would shape American history in a profound way. He would inspire a nation, he would have a lasting impact on countries across the sea, and his voice and words would leave a lasting impression as a reminder that freedom is a born right to all. Not only would Frederick go on to change the nation for black slaves, but he would also tirelessly fight for equal rights for all.

      The start of his story may not differ from what many other slaves were born into. His treatment was no different than other black children his age but his perspective on his situation was different. Frederick never accepted his status of slave and through his entire life, he questioned and challenged those who would try to convince him that he was nothing more than a piece of property, of lesser value, or of no importance. 

      Every detail of Frederick's life had an impact on who he would become. To start in the middle or towards the end would mean neglecting the very reasons for why he became such an influential leader. It is only fitting that much time is spent on discussing the very early years of his life, of his life chained to a system he would eventually break free from. As you will learn, Frederick’s life was not filled with mere accidents. Every significant event led him on the path he was intended to be on. 

      Chapter 1: Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, 1818.

      The year was 1818 or 1817; at the time there were no official records kept when a child was born, especially those children born to slaves. Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey made his debut this year in Maryland near Talbot Country. He was born at the Holmes Hill Farm not far from the eastern shore of Maryland. The exact date is unknown as birthday’s often connected with a season; whether it was planting or harvest season, cherry picking time, spring or fall. Later in life Frederick would claim February 14th to be the day of his birth due to the fact that his mother would often refer to him as her little valentine.

      His mother's' name was Harriet Bailey, daughter of Betsy and Isaac Bailey. Though she was a slave, she was a rare educated slave. She had intelligence and was one of the few slaves, if not the only, who was able to read and write. Her beauty was also one to be envied even though she had a much darker complexion than others.

      Fredericks’ mother was forced to return to work in the field before Frederick was even a year old. As Frederick grew older he would explain this separation as a means to hinder the development of the child’s affection toward its mother and to bluntly destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child. This is the inevitable result (Douglass, 2012, p.51).

      Harriet Bailey was hired out to a Mr. Stewart, to work in the cornfields that surrounded the Holmes Hill Farm. This was close to 12 miles away on a neighboring plantation. Occasionally she would walk the 12 miles to visit Frederick late in the evening and make her way back before sunrise to be in the fields to work the next morning. As a field hand, the penalty for not being present in the fields by sunrise was a whipping. With no rest when she made these visits they were few and far between. Frederick only saw his mother a handful of times and it was always in the evening, well after the sun had set.

      He was placed in the care of his maternal grandmother, Betsy Bailey. It was common for slave children to be placed under the care of an older slave who could no longer work in the fields. Frederick lived in a little hut or cabin in the woods with his brother, sisters, cousins, and aunt, all of whom were under the care of his Grandmother Bailey.

      His grandmother was an intelligent woman as well. Though she may not have been able to read or write she was able to think clearly about how to provide for all those in her care. She knew that the small food allotment she was given would only stretch so far and that she needed to use the earth around her small cabin to provide more food. She was known to be a great fisher and farmer, being able to weave nets that she would also supply to neighboring towns. She would often spend an entire day fishing for herring and shad and in the springtime was sure to plant sweet potatoes that would provide a bountiful crop that would feed all the children. She was often called upon to help start the crops around the neighborhood. When harvesting time came about she was sure to think ahead once again and set aside the best seeds to plant for the next season.

      During his infant years, Frederick knew little of slavery. He rarely even associated himself as a slave because he knew so little of what it actually meant. He was sheltered from most of the harsh realities of what he was born into until the age of 6 or 7. Until then he did not know what horrors he would encounter. Slave children roamed around with little cares, they were often seen unclothed as they were only allowed a shirt and no pair of pants. While they would often hear the cries of others being whipped or would hear stories of the cruelness of the masters and overseers, they often did not bear witness to this brutality except in tragic occurrences.

      Like much of his infant years, his father was also a mystery. Frederick did not know for certain who his father was; the only thing he knew was that he had to be a white man. Rumors floated around that suggested

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