Historians In Awe Over Discovery At Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Property

Stephen A. Douglas Was A Slave Owner

Stephen Douglas wasn’t about to successfully debate Abraham Lincoln but both men came from the free state of Illinois. Despite his states stance on slave ownership, Douglas married Martha Martin, a 21-year-old female who’s father, Colonel Robert Martin of North Carolina, owned a 2,500-acre cotton plantation that employed 100 slaves. Douglas decided to distance himself from those slaves by hiring a manager to operate the plantation.

Despite his states view on slaves, Douglas took 20% of the profits from the plantation to advance his political career. He continued until his death to deny ever owning a single slave, telling those who asked that they belonged to his wife and children. In his “Freeport Doctrine” of 1858, he said he could care less if slavery existed and believe the American people needed to vote it up or down.