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The Mary
The Brown family's first recorded involvement in the trading of slaves was in 1735. The ship was called the Mary, and, belonging to Captain James Brown, was the first ship to depart from Providence for slave trade. -
The Wheel of Fortune
The Brown family's next reccorded involvement in slave trade was in 1759 when Nicholas and John Brown, two of Captain James Brown's sons, joined several Providence merchants, including their Uncle Obadiah, in sending out another vessel. The ship, named the Wheel of Fortune, was unsuccessful, having been captured by a French privateer. -
The Sally
Hoping to help their iron and candle businesses, the Brown brothers sent out three more ships in 1764. Two of these ships were for the purpose of selling horses and goods. The last ship, the Sally was captained by Captain Hopkins, a captain with no slave trading experience. He was to sail to West Africa and purchase a load of slaves to then sell in the Caribbean, and return to Providence. -
Landing in Africa
Captain Hopkins made it to the coast of West Africa on the Sally on November 10, 1764. Due to the end of the Seven Years War between France and Great Britain, the coast was lined with ships. There, the slaves were expensive and few, so Captain Hopkins sailed down the coast of West Africa for nine months. -
Departure
On August 20, 1765, Captain Hopkins purchased his last slave. Of the 196 slaves he bought, nine were sold to other traders along the crowded coast, twenty died, and at least one hanged herself. -
The Middle Passage
After eight days, the slaves rebelled and eight were killed and many were injured. Others drowned themselves, starved, and died of diseases. In total, 88 slaves perished in the middle passage. -
Returning
When Captain Hopkins returned unsuccessfully, the Brown brothers managed to look beyond the econimic and fanancial loss. As well as losing 88 slaves, the rest were sickly and in poor shape, and were sold for very little. The Brown brothers were just glad Captain Hopkins was safe and well.
