Frederick Douglass Document Signed.

DOUGLASS, Frederick.

Item Number: 146790

Rare notarized indenture land transfer signed by famed American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Oblong octavo, five pages partially printed and accomplished in manuscript, bound with a brass fastener, the document is dated December 23, 1885 and certifies the transfer of land between a Buchanan and Helen Beale, and John C. Wilson and Mahlon Ashford in Washington, D.C. Signed on the docketing panel by Douglass as recorder of deeds, “Fed’k Douglass,” beneath a manuscript endorsement. Douglass served as the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia from 1881 to 1886. This role involved overseeing the recording of property deeds and other legal documents. His appointment to this position was a notable achievement, reflecting his prominence and the respect he had garnered within political and public spheres. In near fine condition. The piece measures 14 inches by 8.5 inches.

Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in 1818, emerged as a preeminent figure in 19th-century American social reform and abolitionist movements. His intellectual and rhetorical prowess, demonstrated through seminal works such as his autobiographies "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" and "My Bondage and My Freedom," provided a profound critique of slavery and racial injustice. Douglass's contributions to the abolitionist cause were instrumental in shaping public discourse and policy, and his work with the American Anti-Slavery Society and various political figures highlighted his influential role in the broader struggle for civil rights. Additionally, Douglass's advocacy extended to women's rights and his participation in the Civil War as a recruiter for African American troops underscored his commitment to a broader social justice agenda. His multifaceted legacy reflects a significant impact on American socio-political thought and action.