Description:

Frederick Douglass Signed Washington, D.C. Land Deed

A land deed signed by Frederick Douglass (1817[?]-1895) as "Fredk Douglass" in his capacity as Recorder of Land Deeds in Washington, D.C. on June 16, 1881. The partly printed and partly handwritten document measuring 8.5" x 14" overall is folded into four equal parts and records details of a land transfer between Brainard H. Warner and Andrew Duvall on the one part and Thomas Blagden and wife on the other part. Bearing a notarized seal. Expected folds, with scattered minor loss along one fold. Overall light toning. Else near fine. Ex-Kenneth Rendell.

One of Frederick Douglass's lesser-known occupations was Recorder of Land Deeds for the District of Columbia. While Douglass’s letters are scarce, documents signed during his tenure are very reasonable.

President James Garfield appointed Douglass as Washington, D.C. Recorder of Land Deeds in 1881. While a high paying job, it was actually a demotion from Douglass's former job as U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, a position he had held since Rutherford B. Hayes appointed him in 1877. Douglass worked as Recorder of Land Deeds between 1881 and his 1886 resignation. Douglass would spend the next two years traveling throughout Europe and Africa with his second wife, Helen Pitts. A white woman from a Rochester, New York abolitionist family, Pitts had been Douglass’s clerk in the deeds office.

Frederick Douglass was an orator, journalist, abolitionist, and distinguished African-American leader. Born a slave in Tuckahoe, Maryland, he escaped from slavery in 1838. In 1841, Douglass was employed as an agent of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He wrote "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" in 1845 to document his slavery experiences, and to silence those who believed a man of his abilities could not have been a slave. Douglass soon became a noted anti-slavery orator and supporter of women’s rights. Douglass used his influence and his newspaper "The North Star" to advance his causes. During the Civil War, he was instrumental in advocating for African-American combat units and in raising troops. He fought for passage of the 13th (Abolition), 14th (Citizenship and Equal Protection) and 15th (Voting Rights) Amendments. Douglass was the first African American to serve in important federal posts.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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