Phillis Wheatley was born, most likely in 1753, in the area of Africa that is now Senegal and the Gambia. At around the age of seven, she was captured by enslavers headed for the Americas and endured the horrific Middle Passage. She was brought to the then-colony of Massachusetts, enslaved and put up for sale; she was sold, in 1761, to Susanna Wheatley, wife of a tailor, who was looking for a domestic servant. Phillis was horribly ill at that time; the trader who sold her believed that she would die and was simply trying to make a quick profit. However, the Wheatleys found Phillis (named for the ship on which she was transported) to be terribly precocious, and Susanna Wheatley soon...
Join Now to View Premium Content
GradeSaver provides access to 2370 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2792 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.
