WE whose Names are under-written, do assure the World, that the POEMS
specified in the following Page, were (as we verily believe) written by
Phillis, a young Negro Girl, who was but a few Years since, brought an
uncultivated Barbarian from Africa... -from the publisher's affidavit
Probably the first Black American writer, Phillis Wheatley had to travel
to England to see her work published in this 1773 volume, the first
collection of poetry by an African America to see print. Her work,
considered even at the time sentimental and derivative, was harshly
criticized by many, including Thomas Jefferson, and the novelty of its
author soon waned to the point that the emancipated Wheatley died in
poverty and obscurity. But as one of the earliest firsthand accounts of
the slavery in America, it is an important document of life in the
colonial era: 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. (from " On being brought from
Africa to America") PHILLIS WHEATLEY (c.1753-1784) was captured at the
age of around seven and brought to America in 1761, where she became a
house slave-and near adopted daughter-of Boston merchant John Wheatley.
Demonstrating a talent for languages, she was educated alongside the
Wheatley children. After being granted her freedom, she married John
Peters, a free Black Bostonian.
