servant lived in comfort. Their little charge
was amply provided for, and was made contented and happy.
She had a time for play and a time for study. Miss Abigail
gave her instruction in reading and writing and Miss Lydia
taught her to sew.

At the age of seven Rosetta wrote her first letter to her
father, and when her eighth birthday had passed she made a
shirt to give him on his return from England. At this early
age the child was painfully conscious of the trials and
misery resulting from slavery. Many slaves had sought and
obtained shelter with the Motts, and the anxious moments of
their stay made a deep impression on her childish mind.

After the establishment of the "North Star," by her father
in Rochester, N. Y., in 1847, the family were reunited in
that place, a governess secured and for several months the
children pursued their studies at home. Later the father was
convinced that as he was a taxpayer he ought to avail
himself of the privilege of the public schools: and,
accordingly, sent his sons there. But the little daughter
was sent to a private school but recently opened for girls.
Tuition was paid in advance, the little girl was sent, but
never saw the inside of the school-room nor met any of the
pupils. Finally she with her brothers attended the public
schools until the year 1850, when the Board of Education
decided that Colored children should no longer be permitted
to remain in the public schools. At the next meeting of the
Board Mr. Douglass and some Anti-Slavery friends were
present to debate the question why such distinction should
be made. As the result of that conference the doors were
opened to Colored children in that city.

Rosetta being the only girl of color in her room was
subjected for a time to such indignities as only the vulgar
are capable of inflicting. Her complaints pained her fond
father, but his counsel was, "Daughter, I am sending you to
school for your benefit; see to it that you are punctual in
attendance, that you do not offend in your demeanor and cope
with the best of them in your lessons--and await the
results." The daughter strove to obey, and soon found
herself appreciated by her teachers, who classed her as one
of their best pupils. Her companions also changed and sought