Ruth “Harriet” Cox Adams was the pseudo sister of Frederick Douglass. Ruth was also a former slave who escaped from the Eastern shore of Maryland. For a time Douglass believe she was his sister Eliza from childhood. Even after the nature of her identity came out, Douglass had developed a kinship with Ruth who was called Harriet. Since Ruth could read and write, proved an important member of the Douglass family during their time in Lynn, Massachusetts.
“For a few crucial years, especially during Frederick’s long sojourn in England, the newly renamed Harriet became confidant, economic aide, babysitter, and sister to Anna [Douglass].”[1]
Ruth Cox Adams died on April 22, 1900 at the age of 81. She was buried in Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Section GPS coordinates: 40.815627, -96.667470
[1] David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018), 164.
The Graves of Frederick Douglass 