Early Years
Phllis was born in 1753, in West Africa. Some years later, she boarded on
a ship called "The Phillis", to become the slave for the Wheatley household. The
Wheatley's decided to name her "Phillis". Soon after, Phillis was taught how to
read and write by the Wheatley's eighteen year old daughter, Mary, who was
assisted by younger brother, Nathaniel. Now by the time Phillis turned tweleve
she already knew to read Greek and Latin text. As months passed by, the Wheatley
household noticed her literary talent, so they supported her further education.
The Wheatley family often showed off Phillis' skills in literacy to friends and
family.
a ship called "The Phillis", to become the slave for the Wheatley household. The
Wheatley's decided to name her "Phillis". Soon after, Phillis was taught how to
read and write by the Wheatley's eighteen year old daughter, Mary, who was
assisted by younger brother, Nathaniel. Now by the time Phillis turned tweleve
she already knew to read Greek and Latin text. As months passed by, the Wheatley
household noticed her literary talent, so they supported her further education.
The Wheatley family often showed off Phillis' skills in literacy to friends and
family.
Late Years
In 1773, Philllis accompanied young master, Nathaniel Wheatley, to
London, where she had a meeting with the Lord Mayor of London. During this visit
an amount of her work was published in London. Then in 1775, Phillis published a
poem(To His Exellency, George Washington) to celebrate George
Washington, to which in return Washington invited Phillis to his home to thank
her for the wonderful poem. Then in 1778, Phillis was emancipated, due to her
master's will. Three months later, Phillis married a free black grocer, John
Peters. From there on they stuggeled to make a living and even suffered from the
deaths of two sick infants. Phillis later on wrote another volume of poetry, but
because of her financial conditions, she wasn't able to publish it. Then, in
1784, her husband John Peters was sent to prison, for debt. This forced Phillis
to work as a scullery maid, but due to racism and sexism, she had to resort
domestic labour. Phillis Wheatley died on December 5, 1784, at the age of 31.
London, where she had a meeting with the Lord Mayor of London. During this visit
an amount of her work was published in London. Then in 1775, Phillis published a
poem(To His Exellency, George Washington) to celebrate George
Washington, to which in return Washington invited Phillis to his home to thank
her for the wonderful poem. Then in 1778, Phillis was emancipated, due to her
master's will. Three months later, Phillis married a free black grocer, John
Peters. From there on they stuggeled to make a living and even suffered from the
deaths of two sick infants. Phillis later on wrote another volume of poetry, but
because of her financial conditions, she wasn't able to publish it. Then, in
1784, her husband John Peters was sent to prison, for debt. This forced Phillis
to work as a scullery maid, but due to racism and sexism, she had to resort
domestic labour. Phillis Wheatley died on December 5, 1784, at the age of 31.