Occupation: Douglass Family Matriarch; Housekeeper; Laundress; Abolitionist; Underground Railroad Conductor/Agent
Place of Origin: Denton, Maryland
Early Life:
Born free to her formerly enslaved parents in Denton, MD, in 1813, she was the eighth of twelve children to Bambarra and Mary Murray, who had been emancipated shortly before her birth. At seventeen, Anna moved to Baltimore, securing work as a laundress and housekeeper.
Achievements and Accolades
It was in Baltimore where she met Frederick Bailey, an enslaved ship caulker yearning for freedom. Recognizing his determination, Anna played a crucial role in his escape by providing him with a sailor's uniform and part of her savings, facilitating his journey to New York City in 1838. Once he reached safety, Frederick sent for Anna, and they married on September 15, 1838, adopting the surname Douglass.
The couple initially settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they started their family, eventually having five children: Rosetta, Lewis Henry, Frederick Jr., Charles Remond, and Annie. While Frederick's involvement in the abolitionist movement grew, leading him to frequent travels, Anna managed the household and contributed financially by taking in laundry and learning shoemaking. Their home became a station on the Underground Railroad, offering refuge to countless enslaved individuals seeking freedom. Despite her limited formal education, Anna's resourcefulness and resilience were instrumental in supporting her husband's endeavors and maintaining their household.
Throughout their 44-year marriage, Anna faced numerous challenges, including extended periods of managing the household alone and enduring public scrutiny. Amidst it all, she continued to provide unwavering support to Frederick's public life while ensuring the stability and well-being of their family. Anna Murray Douglass passed away on August 4, 1882, in Washington, D.C. Initially buried at Graceland Cemetery, she was later reinterred at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, where Frederick Douglass was also laid to rest after his death in 1895.
