Anna Murray-Douglass-My Mother as I Recall Her Author(s): Rosetta Douglass Sprague Source: The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Jan., 1923), pp. 93-101 Published by: Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2713462 . Accessed: 17/02/2011 12:42

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http://www.jstor.org ANNA MURRAY-DOUGLASS-MY MOTHER AS I RECALL HER' Looking backwardover a space of fiftyyears or more,I have in remembrancetwo travelerswhose lives were real in their activity; twolives thathave indeliblyimpressed themselves upon my memory; two lives whoseenergy and best abilitywas exertedto make my life what it should be, and who gave me a home where wisdom and in- dustry went hand in hand; where instructionwas given that a cultivatedbrain and an industrioushand were the twin conditions that lead to a well balanced and useful life. These two lives were embodiedin the personalitiesof FrederickDouglass and Anna Mur- ray his wife. They met at the base of a mountain of wrong and oppression, victims of the slave power as it existed over sixty years ago, one smartingunder the manifold hardships as a slave, the other in many ways sufferingfrom the effectsof such a system. The story of Frederick Douglass' hopes and aspirations and longing desire for freedomhas been told-you all know it. It was a storymade possibleby the unswervingloyalty of Anna Murray,to whosememory this paper is written. Anna Murray was born in Denton, Caroline County,Maryland, an adjoining county to that in which my father was born. The exact date of her birth is not known. Her parents, Bambarra Murray and Mary, his wife, were slaves, their family consisting of twelve children,seven of whom were born ill slavery and five born in freedom. My mother,the eighthchild, escaped by the short period of one month,the fate of her older brothersand sisters,and was the firstfree child. Remaining with her parents until she was seventeen,she felt it time that she should be entirelyself-supporting and with that idea she left her countryhome and went to Baltimore,sought em- ploymentin a French family by the name of Montell whom she served two years. Doubtless it was while with them she gained her firstidea as to householdmanagement which served her so well 1 This paper and the one which follows give valuable information about Frederick Douglass and his wife. 93 94 JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY

in afteryears and which gained for her the reputation of a thorough and competenthousekeeper. On leavingthe Montells',she servedin a familyby the name of Wells livingon S. CarolineStreet. Wells was Post-masterat thetime of myfather's escape from slavery. It interestedme very muchin one of my recentvisits to Baltimore,to go to thathouse accompaniedby an old friendof my parentsof thoseearly days, whoas a freewoman was enabledwith others to makemy father's life easierwhile he was a slave in thatcity. This houseis owned nowby a coloredman. In goingthrough the house I endeavored to rememberits appointments, so frequently spoken of by my mother, forshe had lived withthis family seven years and an attachment sprangup betweenher and the membersof that household,the memoryof whichgave her pleasure to recall. The freepeople of Baltimorehad theirown circles from which theslaves were excluded. The rulingof themout of theirsociety resultedmore from the desire of the slaveholderthan fromany greatwish of thefree people themselves. If a slave woulddare to hazard all dangerand enteramong the freepeople he wouldbe received. To such a littlecircle of freepeople-a circle a little moreexclusive than others, Frederick Baily was welcomed.Anna Murray,to whomhe had givenhis heart,sympathized with him and she devotedall her energiesto assisthim. The threeweeks priorto theescape were busy and anxiousweeks for Anna Murray. She had livedwith the Wells familyso long and havingbeen able to save thegreater part of her earningswas willingto sharewith the man she lovedthat he mightgain the freedomhe yearnedto possess. Her courage,her sympathyat the startwas the main- springthat supported the career of FrederickDouglass. As is the conditionof mostwives her identitybecame so mergedwith that of herhusband, that few of theirearlier friends in theNorth really knewand appreciatedthe full value of the womanwho presided over the Douglasshome for forty-fouryears. When the escaped slave and futurehusband of Anna Murrayhad reachedNew York in safety,his first act was to writeher of his arrival and as theyhad previouslyarranged she was to comeon immediately.Reaching New York a weeklater, they were married and immediatelytook theirwedding trip to NewBedford. In "My Bondageof Freedom," by FrederickDouglass, a graphicaccount of thattrip is given. The littlethat they possessed was theoutcome of the industrial DOCUMENTS 95

and economicalhabits that were characteristic of mymother. She had broughtwith her sufficientgoods and chattelto fitup com- fortablytwo rooms in her New Bedfordhome-a featherbed with pillows,bed linen,dishes, knives, forks, and spoons,besides a well filledtrunk of wearingapparel for herself. A new plumcolored silkdress was herwedding gown. To mychild eyes that dress was veryfine. She had previouslysold one of her featherbeds to assist in defrayingthe expenses of theflight from bondage. The earlydays in NewBedford were spent in dailytoil, the wife at thewash board, the husband with saw, buck and axe. I havefre- quentlylistened to the rehearsalof thoseearly days of endeavor, lookingaround me at the well appointedhome built up fromthe laborof thefather and motherunder so muchdifficulty, and found it hard to realizethat it was a fact. Afterthe day of toil they wouldseek their little home of tworooms and themeal of the day thatwas mostenjoyable was thesupper nicely prepared by mother. Father frequentlyspoke of the neatlyset table with its snowy whitecloth- coarsetho' it was. In 1890I was takenby my father to theserooms on Elm Street, New Bedford,Mass., overlookingBuzzards Bay. This was my birthplace. Everydetail as to the earlyhousekeeping was gone over,it was splendidlyimpressed upon my mind, even to thehang- ingof a towelon a particularnail. Manyof thedishes used by my motherat thattime were in ourRochester home and keptas souve- nirs of thosefirst days of housekeeping.The firethat destroyed thathome in 1872,also destroyedthem. Threeof the family had theirbirthplace in NewBedford. When after having writtenhis firstnarrative, father built himselfa nice littlecottage in Lynn,Mass., and movedhis familythere, previouslyto makinghis firsttrip to Europe. He was absent duringthe years '45 and '46. It was thenthat mother with four children,the eldestin her sixthyear, struggled to maintainthe familyamid much that would dampen the courage of manya young womanof to-day. I had previouslybeen takento Albanyby my fatheras a meansof lighteningthe burdenfor mother. Abigail and Lydia Mott,cousins of LucretiaMott, desired to have thecare ofme. During the absenceof my father,mother sustained her little familyby bindingshoes. Motherhad manyfriends in the anti- slaverycircle of Lynn and Boston who recognizedher sterling 96 JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY qualities, and who encouragedher during the long absence of her husband. Those were days of anxious worry. The narrative of FrederickDouglass with its bold utterancesof truth,with the names of the parties with whom he had been associated in slave life, so incensedthe slaveholdersthat it was doubtfulif ever he would re- turnto thiscountry and also therewas danger for motherand those who had aided in his escape, being pursued. It was with hesitancy fatherconsented to leave the country,and not until he was assured by the many friendsthat motherand the childrenwould be care- fullyguarded, would he go. There were among the Anti-Slaverypeople of Massachusettsa fraternal spirit born of the noble purpose near their heart that served as an uplift and encouragedthe best energiesin each indi- vidual, and mother from the contact with the great and noble workersgrew and improvedeven morethan ever before. She was a recognizedco-worker in the A. S. Societies of Lynn and Boston, and no circle was felt to be completewithout her presence. There was a weekly gatheringof the women to prepare articles for the Annual A. S. Fair held in Faneuil Hall, Boston. At that time motherwould spend the week in attendancehaving charge,in com- pany of a committeeof ladies of which she was one, over the re- freshments.The New England womenwere all workersand there was no shirkingof responsibility-all worked. It became thecustom of the ladies of the Lynn society for each to take their turn in assistingmother in her householdduties on the morningof the day that thesewing circle met so as to be sure of her meetingwith them. It was mother's custom to put aside the earnings from a certain numberof shoes she had bound as her donationto the A. S. cause. Being frugal and economicshe was able to put by a portionof her earningsfor a rainy day. I have oftenheard my fatherspeak in admirationof mother's executiveability. During his absence abroad, he sent, as he could, support for his family,and on his cominghome he supposed there would be some bills to settle. One day while talking over their affairs,mother arose and quietly going to the bureau drawer pro- duced a Bank book with the sums deposited just in the proportion fatherhad sent, the book also containingdeposits of her own earn- ings-and not a debt had been contractedduring his absence. The greatesttrial, perhaps, that motherwas called upon to en- dure, afterparting from her Baltimorefriends several years before, DOCUMENTS 97 was the leavingher Massachusettshome for the Rochesterhome wherefather established the "NorthStar." She neverforgot her old friendsand delightedto speakof themup to her last illness. WendellPhillips, Wm. Lloyd Garrison,Sydney Howard Gay and manymore with theirwives were particularlykind to her. At oneof theAnti-Slavery conventions held in Syracuse,father and motherwere the guests of Rev. Samuel J. May,a Unitarianminister and an ardentAnti-Slavery friend. The spaciousparlors of the May mansionwere thrown open for a receptionto theirhonor and whereshe could meether old Bostonfriends. The refreshments wereserved on trays,one of whichplaced upon an improvisedtable madeby thesitting close together of WendellPhillips, Wm. Lloyd Garrisonand SydneyHoward Gay, mother was invitedto sit,the fourmaking an interestingtableaux. Motheroccasionally traveled with father on his shorttrips, but not as oftenas he wouldhave likedas she was a housekeeperwho feltthat her presencewas necessaryin thehome, as she was wont to say "to keep thingsstraight." Her life in Rochesterwas not less activein thecause of theslave, if anythingshe was moreself- sacrificing,and it was a long timeafter her residencethere that she was understood. The atmospherein whichshe was placed lackedthe genialcordiality that greeted her in her Massachusetts home. There were only the few that learnedto knowher, for, she drewaround herself a certainreserve, after meeting her new acquaintancesthat forbade any verynear approachto her. Prej- udice in the early40's in Rochesterran rampantand motherbe- came moredistrustful. There were a few loyal co-workersand she set herselfassiduously to work. In the home,with the aid of a laundressonly, she managedher household.She watchedwith a greatdeal of interestand no littlepride the growthin public life of myfather, and in everypossible way that she was capable aided himby relievinghim of all the managementof thehome as it increasedin size and in its appointments.It was her pleasure to knowthat when he stoodup beforean audiencethat his linen was immaculateand that she had made it so, for,no matterhow well the laundrywas donefor the family,she mustwith her own hands smooththe tucksin father'slinen and whenhe was on a long journeyshe wouldforward at a givenpoint a freshsupply. Beingherself one of thefirst agents of the UndergroundRail- road she was an untiringworker along that line. To be able to 98 JOURNAL OF NEGROHISTORY

accommodatein a comfortablemanner the fugitivesthat passed our way, father enlarged his home where a suite of rooms could be made ready for those fleeingto Canada. It was no unusual occurrencefor motherto be called up at all hours of the night, cold or hot as the case may be, to prepare supper for a hungry lot of fleeinghumanity. She was greatly interestedin the publication of the "North Star" or Frederick Douglass' paper as it was called later on, and publication day was always a day for extra rejoicing as each weekly paper was felt to be another arrow sent on its way to do the work of puncturing the veil that shrouded a whole race in gloom. Mother felt it her duty to have her table well supplied with extra provisionsthat day, a custom that we, childlike,fully appreciated. Our homewas two miles fromthe centerof the city, where our officewas situated, and many times did we trudge throughsnow knee deep, as streetcars were unknown. During one of the summer vacations the question arose in father's mind as to how his sons should be employed,for them to run wild throughthe streetswas out of the question. There was much hostile feeling against the colored boys and as he would be fromhome most of the time,he felt anxious about them. Mother came to the rescue with the suggestionthat they be taken into the officeand taught the case. They were little fellows and the thoughthad not occurred to father. He acted upon the sugges- tion and at the ages of eleven and nine they were perched upon blocks and given their firstlesson in printer's ink, besides being employedto carry papers and mailing them. Father was mother's honored guest. He was from home so often that his home comingswere events that she thoughtworthy of extra notice, and caused renewed activity. Every thing was done that could be to add to his comfort. She also found time to care for four otherboys at differenttimes. As they became mem- bers of our home circle,the care of their clothingwas as carefully seen to as her own children's and they delighted in calling her Mother. In her early life she was a memberof the MethodistChurch, as was father,but in our home there was no family alter. Our customwas to read a chapter in the Bible around the table, each reading a verse in turn until the chapterwas completed. She was a person who strivedto live a Christianlife instead of talking it. DOCUMENTS 99

She was a womanstrong in herlikes and dislikes,and had a large discernmentas to the characterof thosewho came aroundher. Her giftin that directionbeing very fortunate in the protection of father'sinterest especially in the earlydays of his publiclife, when therewas great apprehensionfor his safety. She was a womanfirm in her oppositionto alcoholicdrinks, a strictdisci- plinarian-her no meant no and yes, yes, but more frequentlythe no's had it, especiallywhen I was the petitioner.So far as I was concerned,I found my fathermore yieldingthan my mother, altho' bothwere rigid as to the matterof obedience. Therewas a certainamount of grimhumor about mother and perhapssuch exhibitionsas theyoccurred were a littlestartling to thosewho wereunacquainted with her. The reservein which she held herselfmade whatevershe mightattempt of a jocosena- turesomewhat acrid. She couldnot be knownall at once,she had to be studied. She abhorredshames. In the early70's she came to Washingtonand founda large numberof people fromwhom the shackleshad recentlyfallen. She fullyrealized their condi- tion and consideredthe gaietiesthat were then indulgedin as frivolousin the extreme. On one occasionseveral young women called upon her and commentingon her spaciousparlors and the approachingholiday season,thought it a favorableopportunity to suggestthe keeping of an open house. Motherreplied: "I have been keepingopen housefor several weeks. I haveit closednow and I expectto keep it closed." The youngwomen thinking mother's understanding was at fault,endeavored to explain. They were assured,how- ever,that they were fully understood. Father, who was present, laughinglypointed to theNew Bay Window,which had beencom- pletedonly a few days previousto theircall. Perhapsno otherhome received under its roofa morevaried class of peoplethan did our home. From the highestdignitaries to thelowliest person, bond or free,white or black,were welcomed, and motherwas equally graciousto all. Therewere a few who presumedon thehospitality of thehome and officiouslyinsinuated themselvesand theiradvice in a mannerthat was particularly disagreeableto her. This unwelcomeattention on the part of the visitorwould be grievouslyrepelled, in a mannermore forceful than the said partywould deem her capable of,and fromsuch a personan erroneousimpression of her temperand qualifications 100 JOURNALOF NEGROHISTORY

would be given, and criticismssharp and unjust would be made; so that altho she had her triumphs,they were trials, and only those who knew her intimatelycould fully understand and ap- preciate the enduringpatience of the wife and mother. During her wedded life of forty-fouryears, whether in ad- versityor prosperity,she was the same faithfulally, guarding as best she could every interestconnected with my father,his life- work and the home. Unfortunatelyan opportunityfor a knowl- edge of books had been denied her, the lack of which she greatly deplored. Her increasingfamily and household duties prevented any great advancement,altho' she was able to read a little. By contact with people of culture and education, and they were her real friends, her improvementwas marked. She took a lively interestin every phase of the Anti-Slaverymovement, an interest that fathertook full pains to fosterand to keep her intelligently informed. I was instructed to read to her. She was a good listener, making commentson passing events, which were well worthconsideration, altho' the mannerof the presentationof them might provoke a smile. Her value was fully appreciated by my father, and in one of his letters to Thomas Auld, (his former master,) he says, "Instead of findingmy companiona burden she is truly a helpmeet." In 1882, this remarkablewoman, for in many ways she was re- markable,was strickenwith paralysis and for four weeks was a great sufferer. Altho' perfectlyhelpless, she insisted from her sick bed to direct her home affairs. The orders were given with precision and they were obeyed with alacrity. Her fortitudeand patience up to withinten days of her death were very great. She helped us to bear her burden. Many letters of condolence from those who had met her and upon whom pleasant impressionshad been made, were received. Hon. J. M. Dalzell of Ohio, wrote thus: "You know I never met your good wife but once and then her welcome was so warm and sincere and unaffected,her manner al- togetherso motherly,and her goodby so full of genuine kindness and hospitality,as to impress me tenderlyand fill my eyes with tears as I now recall it." Prof. Peter H. Clark of Cincinnati,Ohio, wrote: "The kind treatmentgiven to us and our little one so many years ago won for her a place in our hearts fromwhich no lapse of time could DOCUMENTS 101 move her. To us she was ever kind and good and our mourning because of her death, is heartfelt." There is much room for reflectionin the review in the life of such a woman as Anna Murray Douglass. Unlettered tho' she was, there was a strengthof character and of purpose that won for her the respect of the noblestand best. She was a woman who stroveto inculcate in the minds of her childrenthe highestprinci- ples of morality and virtue both by precept and example. She was not well versed in the polite etiquette of the drawing room, the rules for the same being found in the many treatisesdevoted to that branch of literature. She was possessed of a much broader culture,and with discernmentborn of intelligentobservation, and wise discriminationshe welcomedall with the heartymanner of a noble soul. I have thus strivento give you a glimpse of my mother. In so doing I am conscious of having made frequent mention of my father. It is difficultto say any thing of motherwithout thle men- tion of father,her life was so enveloped in his. Together they rest side by side, and mostbefittingly, within sight of the dear old home of hallowed memoriesand fromwhich the panting fugitive, the weary traveler,the lonely emigrantof every clime, received food and shelter. ROSETTA DOUGLASS SPRAGUE.