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Phillis Wheatly
When we look to powerful women of the past we generally look to those most famous. In the 18th century, these women would mostly be the Abigail Adams and Martha Washington's of the world. These women were powerful, but what about the lesser knowns? Phillis Wheatly was one of these lesser known woman. She was strong. She was powerful. She was a poet. She was a slave.
No one knows exactly where Ms. Wheatly was born, although it is estimated that she is from West Africa. As a child she was sold by a chef to a visiting trader, it was this man who relocated her to Boston, Massachusetts. Once there she was sold to the wealthy Boston merchant, John Wheatley, as a servant for his wife.
The Wheatleys' daughter, Mary, was the first to tutor Phillis in reading and writing. The Wheately family encouraged learning and added to her studies. By the time she was twelve she was reading both Greek and Latin. Now, the Wheatly's were believed to be a fairly progressive family. Saying that, it is always important to remember that any slave learning to read and write becomes increasingly more valuable as they grow their skill. It is very likely that Phillis was the families more valuable piece of property.
Phillis Wheatley wrote her first poem at the age of eleven. It was clear to everyone that she had natural talent. Thusly, she was encouraged to continue. By the end of her time, Phillis Wheately would be one of the most famous poets of her time.
Wheately was lucky; she was emancipated by those who owned her. The Duchess of Huntington, Selina Hastings, would help sponsor her writings. She would live out the rest of her days as a free and fairly well known woman. Unfortunately, those days would not be long. She passed away on December 5, 1784. She would die a poor and impoverished woman. Her life, while both free and enslaved, was not an easy one. She may have been lucky, but luck is not always enough.
"'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too;
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negro's, black as Cain,
May be refin'd. and join th' angelic train."
~Phillis Wheatley
By the Northern Rose
Phillis Wheatly
When we look to powerful women of the past we generally look to those most famous. In the 18th century, these women would mostly be the Abigail Adams and Martha Washington's of the world. These women were powerful, but what about the lesser knowns? Phillis Wheatly was one of these lesser known woman. She was strong. She was powerful. She was a poet. She was a slave.
No one knows exactly where Ms. Wheatly was born, although it is estimated that she is from West Africa. As a child she was sold by a chef to a visiting trader, it was this man who relocated her to Boston, Massachusetts. Once there she was sold to the wealthy Boston merchant, John Wheatley, as a servant for his wife.
The Wheatleys' daughter, Mary, was the first to tutor Phillis in reading and writing. The Wheately family encouraged learning and added to her studies. By the time she was twelve she was reading both Greek and Latin. Now, the Wheatly's were believed to be a fairly progressive family. Saying that, it is always important to remember that any slave learning to read and write becomes increasingly more valuable as they grow their skill. It is very likely that Phillis was the families more valuable piece of property.Phillis Wheatley wrote her first poem at the age of eleven. It was clear to everyone that she had natural talent. Thusly, she was encouraged to continue. By the end of her time, Phillis Wheately would be one of the most famous poets of her time.
Wheately was lucky; she was emancipated by those who owned her. The Duchess of Huntington, Selina Hastings, would help sponsor her writings. She would live out the rest of her days as a free and fairly well known woman. Unfortunately, those days would not be long. She passed away on December 5, 1784. She would die a poor and impoverished woman. Her life, while both free and enslaved, was not an easy one. She may have been lucky, but luck is not always enough."'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too;
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negro's, black as Cain,
May be refin'd. and join th' angelic train."
~Phillis Wheatley
By the Northern Rose
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