Frederick Douglas: Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter I
Why is Frederick not sure when he was born? He has never seen any authentic record recording his age.
What is Frederick's last name at birth? Bailey
Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave ignorant of such a simple thing as the date of his birth? (Education) It is the wish of the masters, the masters deemed all such inquiries on the part of a slave improper and impertinent, and evidence of a restless spirit
Who were Frederick's mother and father? His mom was Harriet Bailey and he doesn't know who his dad is but is rumored to be his white slave owner.
Why does Frederick make the point that a slaveholder who has fathered a child is likely to be tougher on that child? They are constant offense to their mistress.
Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother? The were separated when he was an infant. His mother can only visit at night and she died when he was about seven years old.
Is Frederick's relationship with his mother typical of other slave children? Most slaved children are taking far distances off but his mother was twelve miles away from home
What is the role of the overseer on the plantation? He beats them a lot to keep them in line and so they don't escape.
What is the relationship of the slaveholder to the overseer to the slave on the plantation? (History) The overseer reports what he has seen around the plantation and then the slaveholder has the choice of letting the overseer find them and slash off their head.
What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer? Plummer is a drunk, a profane swearer, a savage monster, and he caries around with him a cow skin and a cudgel. He is known to cut the women's head off.
Who is Frederick's first master? Anthony
Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned? To inform you of how cruel and harsh he was to the slaves.

Chapter II
Who were the family members of Frederick's master Colonel Edward Lloyd? Andrew and Richard (two sons), Lucretia (daughter), and her husband Captain Thomas Auld.
What is the relationship of Colonel Lloyd to Frederick's master? The master was Colonel Lloyd's clerk and superintendent.
Was there a pecking order among slaves? Explain. The two or three hundred slaves that were on the same farm all had different jobs.
Why would a slave whose life on a plantation was very bad fear being sold to a slave-trader? On the plantation they lived on, they got a yearly allowance of food and clothing.
Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer? (English) He was a very cruel man.
Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs? The slaves sang most of them and didn't write any of them down.
Why does Frederick suggest that slaves sing out of sorrow rather than out of joy? By singing the sorrows of the heart instead of joy the man is released by them.

Daily Starter: Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton made a tax on whiskey. He issued this new taxation to help pay for the Revolutionary War. The taxations had the biggest impact on the Pennsylvania farmers. These farmers were not happy about the taxation so they decided to rebel. Whiskey is their biggest income and they think it is ridiculous to be taxed on it. The government demanded them to stop rebelling, and were arresting people who failed to do so.

Daily Starter: Wednesday, August 29, 2007

1. New Hampshire-England and France; They were sent to start a fishing colony and also for more religous freedom.
2. Delaware-England, Sweden, and Holland; They settled there for trade.
3. North Carolina-England; They came to trade furs and other supplies.
4. South Carolina-Spain; They came to establish a spanish settlement and there was also alot of silk there.
5. New Jersey-Spain and Holland; They came to trade their goods.
6. Pennsylvania-England; They came too make ships there and other things they needed.
7. Georgia-England; They came to establish a place for the poor English people to come and start a settlement.

Daily Starter: Monday, August 27, 2007

Hello.

Life here is pretty rough. Everyday i wake up very early, i have to do a lot of work. All the women here have to wash clothes, cook (if we have any food), and take care of all the children. We have to work very hard and we do not get treated very well. The men get fed more food than us, because they think that the men are more important. As I go throughout the day, i get fed a very small portion, so i am always hungry. They force us too eat rats, mice, dogs and cats. They are not good and have a very nasty taste. I want to come back to England so badly. It is miserable here. I hope to see you guys soon.

Daily Starter: August 23, 2007

When the English ship arrived at Jamestown with 90 young, unmarried women the Jamestown settlers were very happy. They glad to make the trade, women for tobacco. Once the women were living in Jamestown, the colony grew quickly. The women started to have babies and even more people were settling in the colony from England and other places.