Charles W. Chesnutt

Cleveland, October, 1899

CHRONOLOGY

1817

Frederick Douglass was born at Tuckahoe, near Easton, Talbot County,
Maryland.

1825

Was sent to Baltimore to live with a relative of his master.

1833

March. Was taken to St. Michaels, Maryland, to live again with his master.

1834

January. Was sent to live with Edward Covey, slave-breaker, with whom he spent the year.

1835-36

Hired to William Freeland.  Made an unsuccessful attempt to escape from slavery, Was sent to Baltimore to learn the ship-calkers trade.

1838

May.  Hired his own time and worked at his trade.

September 3.  Escaped from slavery and went to New York City.  Married Miss Anna Murray.  Went to New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Assumed the name of “Douglass.”

1841

Attended anti-slavery convention at New Bedford and addressed the meeting.  Was employed as agent of the Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society.

1842

Took part in Rhode Island campaign against the Dorr constitution. 
Lectured on slavery.  Moved to Lynn, Massachusetts.

1843

Took part in the famous “One Hundred Conventions” of the New England
Anti-slavery Society.

1844

Lectured with Pillsbury, Foster, and others.

1845

Published Frederick Douglass’s Narrative.

1845-46

Visited Great Britain and Ireland.  Remained in Europe two years, lecturing on slavery and other subjects.  Was presented by English friends with money to purchase his freedom and to establish a newspaper.

1847

Returned to the United States.  Moved with his family to Rochester, New
York.  Established the North Star, subsequently renamed Frederick
Douglass’s Paper.  Visited John Brown at Springfield, Massachusetts.

1848

Lectured on slavery and woman suffrage.

1849

Edited newspaper.  Lectured against slavery.  Assisted the escape of fugitive slaves.

1850

May 7. Attended meeting of Anti-slavery Society at New York City.  Running debate with Captain Rynders.

1852

Supported the Free Soil party.  Elected delegate from Rochester to Free Soil convention at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.  Supported John P. Hale for the Presidency.

1853

Visited Harriet Beecher Stowe at Andover, Massachusetts, with reference to industrial school for colored youth.

1854

Opposed repeal of Missouri Compromise.

June 12. Delivered commencement address at Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio.

1855

Published My Bondage and My Freedom. March.  Addressed the New York legislature.