Slaveryhopkins.

The Browns and the Slave Trade

  • Captain James Brown

    Captain James Brown
    The first slave ship, the Mary, sailed from Providence RI.
  • The Wheel of Fortune

    Nicholas and John Brown joined their uncle Obadiah and several other Providence merchants in outfitting another ship. That vessel, The Wheel of Fortune, was captured by a French privateer taking much of the family's investment with it.
  • Sally

    Sally
    The Sally left Newport for West Africa.
  • Captain Hopkins

    Captain Hopkins and the Sally arrived in West Africa on what is now the coast of Guinea. Captain Hopkins visited African leaders to build relationships that would enable him to buy slaves.
  • The Last Slave

    The Last Slave
    Captain Hopkins bought his last slave, in all he purchased196. He sold nine slaved to other traders on the coast, and 20 other slaves had died.
  • Rebellion

    Rebellion
    The slaves rose in rebellion, but where suppressed by the ships crew. Eight slaves where killed and several others where wounded.
  • The Brown Brothers

    The Brown Brothers
    The Brown brothers wrote to Captain Esek Hopkins saying " We do not need to mention how disagreeable the news of your losing... 88 slaves is to us and all your friends, but continuing in health is a great satisfaction to us, that we remain cheerful..."