Fredrick Douglass first lived on Colonel Lloyd's plantation his first masters were  Captain Anthony and Mr.Pummer. Both masters were cruel and barbaric they would beat up slaves with leathery cowskin whips if they weren't working. Every morning Douglass would hear the shrieks of terror from the slaves being whipped, “Why can't we be free“, He thought to himself constantly. 

    Despite being tormented by the overseers, slaves don't get paid what their work is worth. They hardly make even enough to for a living, so things like new clothes were a rare treat for them.

    Soon after his misadventures in Colonel Llyod's plantation, Douglass was taken to Baltimore, Maryland. He lived with Hugh and Sofia Auld. 

    Mrs. Auld, Douglass's new mistress (head woman) was a good-natured and kind woman. She was hospitable towards everyone, including the slaves. She had taught Douglass the basics of reading until Mr. Auld caught this occurring. "Teaching slaves to read is unlawful and  unsafe..." Mr.Auld said frantically at the sight.

     Alas, Douglass couldn't let go of his eagerness to learn and began to secretly learn by himself by trading bread for knowledge with young white boys living on the street.

    With Douglass's newfound knowledge, he learned much more than to read; he learned how people were taken away from Africa, their home, deprived of their culture, and made into mere slaves. Douglass soon realized why reading was never within reach, but This new world wasn't pleasant. 

      Soon Mr.Auld wasn't able to "control" Douglass and sent him to Mr.Covey. Covey was well known for breaking slaves, mentally and physically. On the plantation, Douglass was worked to the core; he constantly suffered from burnout and many severe penalties. Douglass was still only a child at 16, yet he worked finger to the bone.