Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) to Amy Post
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05819 Author/Creator: Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 August 1884 Pagination: 4 p. ; 23.5 x 29.5 cm. Order a Copy
Douglass writes to Post, a New York abolitionist and suffragist. Had been to Post's home in Rochester, and regretted her absence. Relates that he and Helen, his wife (they married in January 1884) had for their honeymoon traveled through Chicago, Montreal, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, among other locations without "a single repulse or insult in all the journey." Expresses annoyance with the letters and questions regarding his wife's age, their difference in race (Pitts was white), how their friends and family feel, and other topics pertaining to the marriage. Notes that they are both very happy despite predictions and questions otherwise.
Douglass' second wife, Helen Pitts was the daughter of abolitionists and feminists. Douglass hired Helen as a clerk in his office in 1882. They were married in 1884 despite disapproval from Douglass' children, Helen's family, and others who objected to their mixed race marriage.
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