Phillis Wheatly was born in 1753. When she was only five or six years old, a young African girl, probably born in the country of Senegal was kidnapped and enslaved. She was taken to Boston and sold to John Wheatly in 1761. Unlike many other slave owners, Wheatly educated the young girl and then freed her. Phillis Wheatly who took the last name of her ownerwas one of the earliest American poets. She died in 1784.
Page created on 1/27/2005 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 1/27/2005 12:00:00 AM
