Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 2J
twenty-one years of age, and made his way to
New York, where he was introduced to Mr. Ruggles,
secretary of the New York Vigilance Committee.
As soon as she could be sent for, his
affianced wife, Anna, came on, and they were
married by the Rev. J. W C. Pennington, of
the Presbyterian church. Acting upon the advice
of Mr. Ruggles, he went to New Bedford,
and was kindly received by Mr. Nathan Johnson.
In slavery Frederick's name was Frederick Augustus
Bailey. At the suggestion of Mr. Johnson
his name was now changed to Frederick Douglass,
by which title he has ever since been known.
In New Bedford he found employment in putting
away coal, sawing wood, moving rubbish, working
on the wharves, and in a brass foundry; and thus
earned the means to support his family. It was
here that he became a subscriber of Mr. Garrison's
paper, the Liberator. Mr. Douglass says
this paper took the place in his heart, " second
only to the Bible." Not long after subscribing
for the Liberator, he had the pleasure of hearing
Mr. Garrison himself, and from this time on entertained
for the distinguished agitator the highest
admiration. By reading the Liberator he
came in possession of the principles of the abolition
movement. The spirit that animated its
friends in their efforts to put down human slavery
had already been awakened within him.