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Hello, my name is Frederick Douglass. The story of my life is unique to say the least. I was born under the name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. I was born a slave on a farm called Holmes Hill in Maryland. After a few years at that farm I was sent to live with my grandma a short distance away. During these years, I rarely got to see my mother. Unfortunately, I never knew my father. I heard from some that my father was a plantation owner himself, but I never truly knew.When I was six years old, the worst thing that could happen did. My grandma told me that we were to go on a long journey. In some sense this was true. We left for a plantation known as the Lloyd Plantation. It was here that I saw kids playing for the first time in my life. My grandma told me some of them were my brothers and sisters. I felt relieved and went to play with them. Soon after, someone told me my grandma had left. I had been sold. I never saw my grandmother again.The last time I saw my mother was when I was around seven or eight years old. After that, I never saw her again. Much later, I found out she had died from a disease.During the years on the Lloyd plantation, I saw first-hand the cruelties of slavery. I watched one night as Aaron Anthony whipped my auntie Heather. I made myself watch even though I could barely stand it. I wanted to make sure somebody never forgot those events.Later on in my days, I was sent to live with Hugh Auld who had purchased me as property. I was so angry that my family was divided, that it made me hate slavery even more. This didn't last long though. Hugh and his brother-in-law got into a dispute about the property, which included me. I was sad to leave. In Baltimore, I had learned to read and write and i was even teaching other blacks how to do so.At fifteen, I was sent to a new farm. For some reason, it was hard to break my spirits. I was sent to a slavebreaker. That is where I gathered the courage to run away. Slavery wasn't how I wanted to live my life. Unfortunately, my plans were uncovered and I was sent to jail. That didn't stop me though.Two years later, I was at it again. I was working at a shipyard at the time. I was able to successfully escape when time was right. I traveled on a series of steamboats and trains, until I arrived in Massachusettes along with my newly wedded bride. To avoid capture, I changed my name to Frederick Douglass as many know me now.I always strove to better educate myself. I also joined many abolitionist groups in New Bedford. I also joined a black church. I was also intrigued by The Liberator, written by an abolitionist by the name of Wiliam Lloyd Garrison. I gave a valiant speech in Nantucket which touched the hearts of many people. Later, I wrote my own autobiography. This was during the times of the Civil War.I was skeptical about Lincoln even though I wanted him to win the election of 1860. He promised to deal with slavery where it was already established yet delayed. Because of this, abolitionists were blamed for the Civil War.I continued to write newspaper articles and speeches to promote the fight against slavery. I also wrote other autobiographies as my life went on. The Emancipation Proclamation was a great victory. Many slaves were freed the day after it was issued. I could see the end of slavery. It was nearly there.Slavery was of course abolished a while after. However, racial comments and gestures were still uttered even as slaves were being freed. On top of that, slaves had nowhere to go.More over, I was sad to hear of President Lincoln's assassination. He was a fine president and led our nation well during a huge crisis. I continued to travel and fight against the unjusts of the white men. It was time for africans to trully be made equal.Soon after, I was appointed as a U.S. Marshall. I was about sixty years old at the time. I soon bought a house, very beautiful mind you, and me and my wife lived happily. After the republicans won the next election, I was appointed as the post recorder of deeds for Washington D.C. It wasnt a bad job.My wife, Anne, died a while after. I was mornful but I did not want to be a widower. I soon re-married to Helen Pitts with whom I am spending my life with right now.
