Tracing history: Descendant of Frederick Douglass shares his story

DENTON, Md. – Through history, we can learn about some of America’s greatest freedom fighters. In Denton, Maryland, Tarence Bailey told the story of when he found out he was a descendant of Frederick Douglass. His Uncle Jesse broke the news.

“He was like, ‘This is your great, great, great, great, grandfather, five times removed, and his name is Perry Bailey. Perry Bailey is Fredrick Douglass’ older brother,” Bailey recounted. “I was blown away.”

Before he was Frederick Douglass, the historical icon was known as Frederick Bailey. Born in Talbot County in 1818, Douglass traveled around the Eastern Shore, helping people on the Underground Railroad and acting as one of the greatest abolitionists of his time.

Though Douglas changed his last name in the 1830s, Bailey said his family treasures it to this day.

“My mom was always protective over the last name, Bailey,” Bailey said. “It was always a big deal and I never understood why, until in my 30s, when all of this stuff started to unfold with the family lineage, and then I understood.”

Serving in the military for ten years, Bailey got to experience parts of the world that others in his hometown never have before. Despite his world travel, Bailey always felt a deep connection to the Eastern Shore, because of his familial roots.

“This is where I feel safe, on the Eastern Shore,” Bailey said. “I’m around my family, you know, the Baileys.”

Today, Bailey is Following in his uncle’s footsteps. He works every day to be a leader and a change maker.

“I’m inspired by my great uncle, to go out and do the things that I’m attempting to do,” Bailey said. “I look at these things that irk me, that I feel like need to be done and correct, and it won’t let me rest until I put my best and until I exhaust my efforts, in order to get that done.”