Frederick Douglass (Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) —civil rights leader, abolitionist, orator and author— was born enslaved in 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Anna Murray, a Black woman who was born free in Denton, Maryland; and an active member of the Underground Railroad, became Douglass’ first wife and the mother of their five children.
Courtesy photo
Perhaps a lesser-known fact is that the couple’s sons, Major Charles Redmond Douglass and Sergeant Major Lewis Henry Douglass, volunteered and served in the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which was one of the first Black infantry regiments. The elder Douglass helped recruit Black soldiers to enlist in the United States Colored Troops (USCT).
“As the Civil War began in April 1861, many abolitionists believed that free and formerly enslaved Black men should be allowed to join the Army,” The National Museum of The United States Army reported.
Although African Americans previously served in the Army and Navy, few remained during the Civil War.
Charles Remond Douglass rose to the rank of Major. His other accomplishments include working at federal agencies and being appointed as a trustee for the District of Columbia schools in 1872.
“He worked to employ the first African-American teachers in the district’s schools and assured they received equal pay,” according to information provided online by the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center.
Photo credit: Andrea Blackstone
Despite Major Douglass’ success in the Union Army, when he and his wife, Laura visited a restaurant at the Bay Ridge Resort and Amusement Park along the Chesapeake Bay in 1892, the couple was denied service due to their race. After the incident, Charles purchased acres of farmland from Daniel Brashears, a free Black farmer. The trailblazer developed it and sold lots to family and friends. Thereafter, Highland Beach, a community of prominent African Americans in Annapolis, Maryland was founded in 1893. The historical refuge is also believed to be the first African American summer resort in the United States. It was incorporated in 1922 and was the first African American municipality in Maryland.
Although restrictive covenants on deeds disallowed real estate sales to Blacks in other places, the private community evolved into a gathering place welcoming upper-class Black guests and residents who were educated or well-known. They included notable individuals such as poet Paul Laurence Dunbar; civil rights activist Mary Church Terrell; and Dr. Charles Drew, a surgeon and a pioneer in the field of blood transfusions who improved techniques for blood storage.
Highland Beach is a place where generations of families and friends have built memories of piling in the car to fish, crab, swim or enjoy relaxing times while sitting on porches or indulging in summertime social fun.
Major Charles R. Douglass had one home built for his family and the other (“Twin Oaks” summer cottage) for his father.
“Frederick Douglass passed away in February of 1895 just months before his summer home was completed,” the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center shared online.
Twin Oaks, built in 1895, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It now serves as the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center, Inc. A second-floor view offers a breathtaking view of the Chesapeake Bay.
Venice Beach is near Highland Beach. According to The Venice Beach Citizens Association, “The Brashears’ property was bordered by the Chesapeake Bay on the east and Black Walnut Creek and Oyster Creek on the north and south, respectively. The Brashears family farmed corn and tobacco on their plot of land until the early 1890s. The descendants of William and Charity Brashears eventually sold 28 2/3 acres of their farm to Charles and Laura Douglass in 1893, which became Highland Beach, and 13 1/3 acres to Osborn T. Taylor in 1922, which became Venice Beach.”
Twin Oaks was purchased by architect Charles Bohl in the eighties. He renovated the house when it needed major repairs.
Additionally, “in 1995, the State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County acquired the property and deeded it to the Town of Highland Beach as a memorial to Frederick Douglass, one of Maryland’s most famous sons,” per the Town of Highland Beach’s website.
Today, the remaining Highland Beach descendants of original residents strive to keep their history nestled in beachfront property intact. Black History was made in a resilient community that should permanently retain the rich legacy that it holds.
Visit www.fdmcc.org to learn more about Highland Beach.