Final answer:
Frederick Douglass was around 16 years old when the beatings started while he was being 'broken' by Mr. Covey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the life and experiences of Frederick Douglass, a renowned figure in American history who was born into slavery. Douglas was around 16 years old when the beating started, as evidenced by his own reflections on the treatment he endured during his time with Mr. Covey, who was known for being a 'negro-breaker'. This incident happened after Douglass had already begun to assert himself against the oppressive conditions of his enslavement, which was seen as a crime for raising his hand against a white man in self-defense.