For the final Saturday of each month, a different and unique feature will be published. Today’s narrative takes a look at the accomplishments of American poet Phillis Wheatley. Saturday’s regular feature, “Trivia’s Facts and More,” will return next week.
A select few face overwhelming challenges in life. Encouraged by a heart filled with perseverance, these trailblazers adopt an attitude where “Can” outplays “Can’t.”
Facing upheaval in her young life, Phillis Wheatley manages to overcome in a journey few can ever imagine. Born around 1753, she becomes the world’s first African-American author with published works. However, her story needs to be told from the beginning.
Coming to the American colonies in 1761, this young girl enters the slave trade. Leaving her West African home, her tender life is uprooted.
She is purchased as a domestic slave for a New England merchant’s wife. Without realizing it at the time, John and Susanna Wheatley will soon transform Phillis’ life.
Phillis’ name is taken from the slave ship which brought her to America, the Phillis. She later adopts her last name from the Wheatley’s.
The Wheatley’s daughter, Mary, begins teaching Phillis to read and write. Her brother, Nathaniel, also helps to tutor Phillis as well.
Seeing potential in the young Phillis’ eagerness to learn more, John Wheatley offers her an academic journey beyond anything most American slaves will ever experience. Beginning at age 12, she is studying Greek and Latin, learning history and geography, and reading the Bible.
By the age of 14, Phillis writes her first poem, and she continues to write many more. The Wheatley’s free her from domestic duties so that she can further her studies. Following the death of Susanna Wheatley, Phillis will be granted freedom.
Quote from Phillis Wheatley:
“In every human breast, God has implanted a principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of oppression, and pants for deliverance.”
In 1773, Phillis journeys to London with Nathaniel. In their search for a publisher of her poems, the two of them find an interested party. Upon publishing her book of poetry, readers in England and the American colonies discover her poetry. Even George Washington reads her poems, and Phillis will later meet him.
In Phillis’ final years, she marries a free black man, John Peters. He toils as an unsuccessful entrepreneur, and his children and wife endure a life filled with poverty. During this time, Phillis continues to write, but none of these works will be published. She dies in 1784.
Phillis Wheatley’s only book of published poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published in 1873. Before having her poetry published, she needed to provide evidence that she was the writer. After all, slaves in America usually did not know how to read and write, much less write classical poetry.
Here is a sample of her poetry, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” (published 1773):
“Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too:
Once I redemption neither sought now knew,
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
‘Their colour is a diabolic die’
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refin’d, and join ‘th’ angelic train.
Previous editions of other narratives of “Overcoming Life’s Insurmountable” can be found from the links below.
Glenn Cunningham, American athlete
Big Sky Buckeye 