Phillis Wheatly: Black Female Poet

Phillis Wheatly was americas first black female poet to publish a book. Phillis wheatly was born around 1753. She was born into the Fulani Tribe, which is in west Africa, that is now Senegal, Gambia. At the age of seven she was kidnapped, and brought to New England, and from there she was put on sale at the slave market in Boston. She was bought by John Wheatly as a present for his wife Susannah. The Wheatley’s calles Phillis Wheatly, because the ship that brought to america was names the Phillis.

Phillis Wheatley was a household servant. She received far better treatment than most slaves. For example, slaves in this era (a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic) were never, if rarely, allowed to be in the master’s house. Phillis was an exception to this, because she lived in the house on a daily basis. By the time she was a teenager, Wheatly had become an intelligent student, and received equal if not more education than any other woman at the time. One of her central studies was the Bible, which in time would become one of her main topics in her writing.

Phillis Wheatley was freed from slavery in March, of 1774, but once she left she was devastated by the deaths of several Wheatley family members, including Susanna, and John. She then married a freed slave named John Peters who was a grocer (a person who sells food and small household goods). Phillis and John then had three children together, but lived in the worst of proverty. Phillis worked as a servant, but never made enough money to sustain the family. Because of their economical status John eventually went to Debtors prison, and left Phillis, and their one surviving child to fend (look after and provide for oneself, without any help from others) for themselves. On December 5th 1784 Phillis diedat the “young” age of 31, then a few hours later her infant child died.