Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 201
was a man of ability, courteous in demeanor, and
made many friends. He died in Washington,
July, 1892, the death of his wife occurring two
years before this time.
Mrs. Rosetta Douglass Sprague, a lady of culture
and engaging manners, was born in New
Bedford, Mass., June 24, 1839, and is the eldest
child and only living daughter of Mr. Douglass.
At six years of age she went to Albany, N. Y.,
to reside with Miss Mott, a friend of the family,
where she remained three years. On returning
home to her parents, who had now taken up their
residence in Rochester, she and the other children
were placed under the instruction of Miss
Phebe Thayer, a Quaker lady who was employed
as governess in the family, colored children at
this time not being permitted to attend the public
schools. It was now that Mr. Douglass began a
fight for the admission of his children into the
city schools, and in 1850 the school authorities
yielded to his demands. The admission of these
children was not only the opening wedge for the
admission of other colored children, but abolished
for all time the separate school system in
Rochester.
At the age of eleven she was employed by her
father in his office in folding papers and in writing
wrappers. As she advanced in age and
acquired skill and experience, she became his