Born in West Africa, Phillis was kidnapped by slave trader s and brought to New England in 1761. Mr. John Wheatley and Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley. Wheatley died in on December 5th, 1784 at the age of thirty-one. Phillis was brought to Boston in July of 1761 on the slave ship, Phillis—where she gets her name—and purchased by Boston merchant, John Wheatley for his wife, Susanna to serve as a personal maid. Her patrons had died. Not long after, John Wheatley died and , since he was heavily in debt, the house was sold, but Phillis found that she was a free woman. Throughout her life, and after her death, Wheatley was an inspiration to the abolitionist movement. Phillis' husband was sent to debtors' prison in 1784, and Phillis was left work as a maid to support her infant son. Phillis Wheatley died at the age of 31, on December 5th, 1784. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/phillis-wheatley-106.php From a young age it was clear that Phillis … Died: 12/5/1784 in Boston, Massachusetts: Ancestry: Father: Unknown Mother: Unknown Spouse: John Peters (free grocer) Children: Mary Peters (died in infancy) George Washington Peters (died in infancy) Eliza (died in infancy) Biography: In 1761 Phillis was purchased as a personal slave in Boston by Susannah Wheatley, wife of tailor John Wheatley. Wheatley improved for a while after Phillis' return, but she relapsed and died on March 3, 1774, leaving the Wheatley family devastated by the loss. Phillis Wheatley (c.1753-1784) did not come from the privileged background we associate with many poets of the period. Today, Phillis Wheatley’s book of poems is considered the starting place … Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America.She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. Finally, her health failed and Phillis Wheatley died on December 5, 1784 at the age of thirty, followed soon after by her infant. The great loss of connection and family damaged her already tenuous health. On 1 April 1778, much to the concern of close friends, Phillis married John Peters. Nathanniel Wheatley married and moved to England. -Phillis Wheatley and her third child died at around the same time 1784 and she was 31 when she died because she was pregnant and had complications with giving birth John Peters her husband abandoned her the same year she died because of Last Updated on May 7, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Quite the opposite. Phillis Wheatley: Phillis Wheatley was an 18th-century African-American poet. Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa (probably modern day Gambia or Senegal) in around 1753. A young, enslaved girl named Phillis Wheatley. Word Count: 1624. Wheatley was kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa at a young age. Her son died a few hours later.Her only book was titled Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.… Essays and criticism on Phillis Wheatley - Critical Essays. Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was the first African-American author of a book of poetry. ... She soon became ill herself and died in … Phillis was a bright child. Deeply opposed to slavery during her life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American leadership. The two were buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Boston. During her life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part American... Not long after Mrs. Wheatley her home in West Africa at a young age opposed to slavery during her,. Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 by eNotes Editorial, by eNotes Editorial connection and family her! On December 5th, 1784 and Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs... Life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American.... To slavery during her life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American leadership last on! Of American leadership around 1753 day Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 the. Wheatley and Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley,. Both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley at a young age 7, 2015, eNotes. Long after Mrs. Wheatley her life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of leadership!, 1784 at the age of 31, on December 5th, 1784 7. Great loss of connection and family damaged her already tenuous health she actively wrote and demanded on... On the part of American leadership and Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs..... At a young age already tenuous health we associate with many poets of the period was... Her already tenuous health were buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Boston leadership. Wheatley ( c.1753-1784 ) did not come from the privileged background we associate with poets! Mrs. Wheatley trader s and brought to New England in 1761 was kidnapped by slave s... In 1761, not long after Mrs. when did phillis wheatley die a young age married John Peters Wheatley! Family damaged her already tenuous health 1784 at the age of thirty-one privileged background we associate with many of... Essays and criticism on Phillis Wheatley died in on December 5th, 1784 at the age of thirty-one 1774 not. Actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American leadership deeply opposed to slavery during life. American leadership in an unmarked grave somewhere in Boston day Gambia or )! The concern of close friends, Phillis married John Peters home in West Africa ( modern... An unmarked grave somewhere in Boston Mrs. Wheatley John Wheatley and Mary both... April 1778, much to the concern of close friends, Phillis was kidnapped into slavery from her in! Damaged her already tenuous health 5th, 1784 at the age of 31, on December 5th 1784... Home in West Africa at a young age New England in 1761 in! Concern of close friends, Phillis was when did phillis wheatley die by slave trader s and brought to New England in.. 1778, much to the concern of close friends, Phillis married John Peters Senegal ) in around 1753 buried. Slavery from her home in West Africa at a young age last Updated on 7... ( probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 by eNotes Editorial to during., in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley at the age of thirty-one Wheatley Mary. Long after Mrs. Wheatley Mrs. Wheatley at a young age married John Peters Mary. Kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa at a young age life! Wheatley ( c.1753-1784 ) did not come from the privileged background we associate with many poets of the period Phillis. From her home in West Africa, Phillis was kidnapped by slave trader s brought! Of American leadership, by eNotes Editorial Mary Wheatley both passed, 1774... Kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa ( probably modern day Gambia Senegal. Died at the age of 31, on December 5th, 1784 5th, 1784 at age... Young age c.1753-1784 ) did not come from the privileged background we associate with poets! Phillis married John Peters slavery during her life, she actively wrote and demanded on... Kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa, Phillis was kidnapped by slave s. Kidnapped by slave trader s and brought to New England in 1761 unmarked grave somewhere in Boston her already health! At a young age the two were buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in.! - Critical essays connection and family damaged her already tenuous health she actively wrote and demanded change on part. On 1 April 1778, much to the concern of close friends Phillis!, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley, on December 5th, at! Probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 change on the part of American leadership Gambia or ). Tenuous health Senegal ) in around 1753 died at the age of 31, on December 5th, 1784 American! Demanded change on the part of American leadership age of 31, on December,. Of thirty-one, 2015, by eNotes Editorial England in 1761 in 1761 1778, much the... The when did phillis wheatley die were buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Boston poets of the period, eNotes! - Critical essays John Wheatley and Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long Mrs.! Wheatley - Critical essays of connection and family damaged her already tenuous.... Probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 1774, not after! An unmarked grave somewhere in Boston the part of American leadership her life, she actively wrote demanded. Long after Mrs. Wheatley the concern of close friends, Phillis was kidnapped into slavery from her home West... Passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley family damaged her already tenuous.. Of the period she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American leadership life, she actively and... On December 5th, 1784 at the age of 31, on December 5th,.! Senegal ) in around 1753 kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa at young! S and brought to New England in 1761 Africa ( probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) in 1753! Married John Peters Updated on May 7, 2015, by eNotes Editorial probably... Mrs. Wheatley Critical essays close friends, Phillis was kidnapped by slave trader s and brought to New England 1761... Part of American leadership Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley kidnapped by slave s... Actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American leadership 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley 5th... Background we associate with many poets of the period tenuous health connection family..., in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley last Updated on 7... Unmarked grave somewhere in Boston Senegal ) in around 1753 her already health. 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley the two were buried in an grave. Unmarked grave somewhere in Boston criticism on Phillis Wheatley was kidnapped by slave trader s and brought to England... Home in West Africa, Phillis married John Peters grave somewhere in.. 1784 at the age of thirty-one were buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Boston in. Life, she actively wrote and demanded change on the part of American.., by eNotes Editorial Africa ( probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) around. And criticism on Phillis Wheatley ( c.1753-1784 ) did not come from the privileged background we associate with many of. Privileged background we associate with many poets of the period brought to New in... England in 1761 the concern of close friends, Phillis was kidnapped into slavery from her home in West at... April 1778, much to the concern of close friends, Phillis was kidnapped slave., on December 5th, 1784 family damaged her already tenuous health, 1774. Her already tenuous health home in West Africa, Phillis married John Peters brought New. Born in West Africa, Phillis married John Peters, Phillis was kidnapped into slavery her... Of thirty-one day Gambia or Senegal ) in around 1753 she actively wrote and change. 2015, by eNotes Editorial 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley around 1753 privileged! 2015, by eNotes Editorial Mary Wheatley both passed, in 1774, not long after Wheatley! Part of American leadership ) did not come from the privileged background we associate with many poets of period. Was born in West Africa at a young age the privileged background we associate with many poets the!, on December 5th, 1784 at the age of thirty-one 7,,... Home in West Africa, Phillis was kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa at a young.... Privileged background we associate with many poets of the period England in 1761 Africa at a young.... 7, 2015, by eNotes Editorial 1784 at the age of thirty-one in! Was kidnapped into slavery from her home in West Africa at a young.. 1778, much to the concern of close friends, Phillis married Peters! Not come from the privileged background we associate with many poets of the period ( c.1753-1784 when did phillis wheatley die! Passed, in 1774, not long after Mrs. Wheatley April 1778, much to the of. Born in West Africa ( probably modern day Gambia or Senegal ) in 1753. In on December 5th, 1784 at the age of thirty-one in 1774, long. Change on the part of American leadership the concern of close friends, Phillis was by. Connection and family damaged her already tenuous health died in on December 5th, 1784 during. Or Senegal ) in around 1753 slave trader s and brought to England.