A Timeline of the Life of Frederick Douglass

A Timeline of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Event Nine

Event Eleven

Event Five

Event Fifteen

Event One

Event Three

Event Seven

Event Thirteen

When Douglass was around the age of seven years old, his mother fell ill and died. Douglass was not allowed to be present with her during her illness, death, or even burial. Her death did not impact Douglass as it might have in modern times, however, due to the separation from his mother at a young age that commonly occurred between enslaved families. Douglass reacted upon his mother's death as he would have with a stranger. This event is significant because it portrays the loose bond Douglass had with his family that most slaves endured (page 4).

Frederick Douglass, again, moved out of Baltimore. He was being transferred to St. Michael's. Douglass was disappointed in himself for not running away in Baltimore, because "...the chances of success are tenfold greater from the city than from the country. As Douglass was traveling to St. Michael's however, he noticed the direction the steamboats traveled was an accessible route for escaping. This is a significant moment is Douglass's life because he has officially decided to run away, and let nothing stop him.

When Frederick Douglass was around the age of seven or eight, he left Colonel Lloyd's plantation to live with Mr. Auld in Baltimore. Douglass was ecstatic to leave. Douglass states that his departure to Baltimore is "...one of the most interesting events of my life." Douglass states this significance because if he hadn't went off, he might have still been a slave. Traveling to Baltimore is what sparks the interest of becoming a free man (pages 38-39).

Now that Frederick Douglass is free, he's ecstatic to start his new life. He stated that, at first, he felt as if he'd escaped the mouth of a hungry lion. After realization set in, however, Douglass realized he didn't know what to do, or who to trust. He was paranoid that someone would recognize him and turn him in. This is significant because it's the opposite of his original feelings about being free, and has changed his pint of view. Furthermore, when a slave is free, starting a new life is an issue that stands alone

(pages 135-136).

After working for Mr. Covey for months, Frederick Douglass has become lethargic. One day, as he's reflecting on a Sunday, Douglass realizes Mr. Covey is "taming" him and the other slaves, like animals. He looks out onto the Chesapeake Bay and becomes angry at the sails for being free. Why are the sails free, but not the slaves? This is a significant point in Douglass's life because he decides to not let any chances pass him by to escape slavery (pages 82-83).

Once Mrs. Auld realized that teaching a

slave to read was looked down upon, she quickly stopped. Douglass, however, was persistent in learning how to read. His method was to give bread to the poor white children the neighborhood, in return for a reading lesson. This is significant in Douglass's life because he adopted a way to learn how to read. More importantly, he learned how to read from the teachings of white children, a forbidden act

(page 48-49).

Once day, when Frederick Douglass was at a wharf, he decided he wanted to learn to write. He wanted to learn to write because if decided if he was going to run away, he must write his own (fake) travel pass. He succeeded in receiving lessons by challenging his knowledge of letters against any boy who could write. This is significant because once Douglass learns to write, he will set forth another step in becoming a free man.

Finally, Frederick Douglass made official plans for his escape. He and a few other slaves had a plan to escape on a canoe. Because Douglass is the only one who can write among the group, he writes everyone a fake pass, stating the group was given permission to travel. However, the day they were to leave, someone in the group, it's unknown who, confessed. The group, including Douglass, was arrested. This is significant because Douglass's first

official attempt of escaping failed

( pages 113-18).

Event Eight

Event Two

Event Ten

Event Twelve

Event Sixteen

Event Six

Event Four

Event Fourteen

Shortly after Frederick Douglass went to live at Baltimore, Douglass's old master died and left no instructions his property distribution. Because Douglass was still Captain Anthony's property, he was sent back to the plantation to be divided into Captain Anthony's son or daughter's ownership. Frederick Douglass was coming from the North, heading to the South. The North and the South were different as to slave treatment. Douglass was "spoiled", living in Baltimore, and was apprehensive about where he was to go. Thankfully, he was separated into the daughter's hands, and was sent back to Baltimore. This event is significant because Douglass was almost sent back to the harshest form of slavery he's experienced, just after he's worked

to read and write, and planned on escaping.

When Frederick Douglass was about twelve years old, he discovered a book called "The Columbian Orator". Douglass was fascinated with this book. The more he read, he more he hated his enslavers. He'd referred to them as robbers, who stole his people from Africa and brought them to America. This is a significant point in Douglass's life because the mindset was obtained that he'd be a slave for life.

While on Mr. Covey's plantation, Frederick Douglass was whipped more than ever been. During one incident, as Mr. Covey hit Douglass, a feeling of sudden anger came over Douglass, and he hit back at Mr. Covey. Douglass and Mr. Covey struggled for two hours before Mr. Covey gave up. This is a significant incident in Frederick Douglass's life because he discovered his self worth as a human being. After this moment, he was never whipped again (page 93).

Once settled in Baltimore, Mrs. Auld, Douglass' mistress, taught Douglass how to read. A reason why she might have taught a slave to read is because she had never owned a slave before, and didn't know this act was not allowed. This point in Douglass's life was significant because his ability to read was the cause for his

ability to be free (pages 40-41).

When Frederick Douglass was a child, he worked on a plantation that belonged to a man known as Colonel Lloyd. During his time at this plantation, he was too young to work in the field. Because of the extreme cold during the winter, Douglass would sleep in an old bag used for carrying corn. This was his bed. In addition, because of such overuse, Douglass's feet have been cracked so badly with frost, that "...The pen with which I am writing might be laid in the gashes." This is a significant point in Douglass' life because the mistreatment of slaves is portrayed upon him, and thus carries through with him as his life as

a slave (page 34).

Eventually, Frederick Douglass gets back on his feet, with the help of a man named Mr. Ruggles. Douglas starts a new life with his new wife, Anna, and attends abolition meetings, hoping to help in the abolishment of slavery. These meetings consisted of mainly white people. When Douglass was asked to speak, he was afraid to, thinking back to living as a slave, when he didn't have a voice. Once Doug lass realized he wasn't a slave anymore, he stood and spoke his own words. Many were impressed. This is a significant point in Frederick Douglass's life because it's his final transformation from

a slave, to a free man (page 147).

Douglass was released from jail some time later, and on September 3, 38, Frederick Douglass finally succeeded in escaping slavery and becomes a free man. The details of how he escaped are not specified in this novel. This is partly because he didn't he didn't want any slave master finding out how slaves escaped, and prevented further attempts. This date is one of the most significant points in Douglass's life because he finally brought himself to run away, and succeeded. Douglass's thoughts on escaping were dealt with wishful thinking, doubt, perseverance, and finally, succession (page 135).

After traveling to St. Michael's Frederick Douglass went to live with Mr. Covey on January 1, 1833. For the first time in his life, Douglass worked as a field hand. During the first week there, he was whipped by Mr. Covey quite severely, causing great ridges on his back. This moment is significant in his life because it was the hardest work Douglass had done as a slave. Also, it strengthened his want to run away and be a free man (page 75).

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docsouth.unc.edu

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www.civilwar.org

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www.thelionofanacostia.wordpress.com

www.blackpast.org

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One of the pages mentioned in "The Columbian Orator" (page 51).

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msa.maryland.gov

"...I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease" (page 147).

Frederick Douglass escaping slavery.

An example of what a slave living quarters might have looked like.

Pie chart of slave labor.

"I felt as I never felt before. It was a glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of freedom" (page 93).

Differences between the North and the South.

"Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A,B,C" (page 41).

Frederick Douglass and the group of slaves, thrown in jail for attempting to run away.

"I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of the gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids;—not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them; for it is almost unpardonable offense to teach slaves to read in this Christian country" (page 49).

"For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child. This is the inevitable result."(page 3).

A portrait of

Mr. Ruggles.

Frederick Douglass, as a man, in his study.

Frederick Douglass, reflecting about his life as a slave and the movement of the sails.

The place Frederick Douglass entered Baltimore.

A sign posted in St. Michael's.