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Birth
She was born some time in 1753, the date is unknown. -
She was made a slave
She was made a slave at 7 years old, she was on a slave ship named Phillis -
She was Purchased
At the age of eight, she was sold to wealthy Bostonian merchant and tailor John Wheatley, who bought the young girl as a servant for his wife, Susanna. -
Her education started
The family's 18 year old daughter started teaching Phillis math and to read -
She wrote for King George III
Wheatley wrote "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty" in which she praised George III for repealing the Stamp Act. -
She wrote for George Whitefield
Wheatley wrote a poetic tribute to George Whitefield that received widespread acclaim -
White people took her to court
Wheatley had to defend her literary ability in court because white people didn't think an African American could read and write -
Wheatley goes to London
She was sent to London with Nathaniel Wheatley to recover her health. -
Publishing on her poem
She published a poem celebrating George Washington entitled, “To His Excellency George Washington.” -
Phillis' rise to fame
Washington invited Wheatley to his home as thanks for the poem and Thomas Paine republished the poem in the Pennsylvania Gazette as a result of Wheatley’s audience with Washington. -
She was respected
African American poet Jupiter Hammon wrote an ode to Wheatley. -
she got her freedom
Wheatley was legally freed from the bonds of slavery when her master John Wheatley died. -
her marriage
Wheatley married John Peters, a free black grocer -
went back to work
John Peters was imprisoned for debt -
Her death
Wheatley died alone on December 5, 1784, at age 31. Her infant son died three and a half hours after her death.
