slaveryto
freedom
A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania
Revolts, Uprisings and Rebellions
News Accounts of Violent Resistance Reported in Pennsylvania Newspapers
Revolt on the Sloop Queen Caroline
Liverpool, January 18.
From Capt. John Reed, who arrived here a few Days since from Africa, but last from Fyall, we have the following Account;
That about the 10 of May last, on the Coast of Africa, in his Passage from the Leeward, he put into Little Mezurada, to get Rice, and there stayed a Day or two, and then sailed for Gallenas, where one Thomas Kirkham came to him on the 26 of May, and gave the following melancholy Relation.
The Queen Caroline Sloop of Bristol, Capt. Halladay, in her Trade down the Coast, has been at the Bonana islands, and Sierra Liona, and had there taken 20 young Negroe Men, each not past 20 Years old:
At the Island he took in a Black Grometto, in order to help him in his Trade for Rice at that island. On his Arrival at St. Paul's, he sent his Mate, Boatswain, and three more Hands ashore in their Boat along with the Black to procure Rice, but he run the Boat into the River, where the Negroes on the Shore endeavoured to take them Prisoners; they defended themselves as well as they could, but the Mate and one more being killed on the Spot, the rest with the Boat were seized;
Next Morning the Gromettos, with a Canoe and 4 or 5 Black went on Board the Ship, and told the Captain that his Boat was fully laden with Rice, Goats, and would be soon with them. The Captain grew jealous, but concealed it, and took this Fellow into the Cabin, and treated him; after which the Black went upon Deck and persuaded the purchased Negroes to rise (they unfortunately being without Irons) which they agree to:
One took an Iron Bar out of the Fire Hearth, with which he killed the Captain, and all the rest were soon murdered, except a Boy, who warded the Blow off by his Arm (which they broke) but the Pain flung him into a Swoon, and they thinking him dead, flung him over-board, and by Accident into their Canoe, which, when they hove up the Ship's Anchor, fell astern. The Boy continued in her two Days, when he was taken up by some Negroes at Cape Mount, who carried him to the Kings House, where he was taken Care of, and there the said Kirkham saw and had the forgoing Relation from him. The Sloop was carried to a Place called the Bar, about 18 Leagues to the Winward of the Gallenas:
They turned all the Negroes ashore, and landed all the Cargo at the Black Fellow's House. Two White Men, who lived near him, went off in the Night and weighed the Sloop's Anchor, pretending they designed to carry her to the Bonana Islands or Sierra Liona, and there to deliver her to the English for Account of her Owners; but on the 7th of June, Capt. Reed was at Bonana, and heard no more of her.
Source: The American Weekly Mercury, 01 May 1729, page 2.