N. J. REFERENCE DIVISION
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HILLIS "HAATLEY Significant to American literature is Phillis 'heatley who remainsgenerally exlucec from textural Colonial History. The first referenceto George Washin,,ton as "First in Peace" was made by her, Phillis “heatley was kidnappec from her native Senegal in Africawhen she was about 7 years of age and brou, ht on a slave ship to Bostonin 1760, John !heatley a tailor purchased her to be a special servantfor his Wife, The Wheatley's named her Phillis and thus she became"Phillis Wheatley." Fortunately ‘irs. 'heatley and her daughter Mary soon recognized thechild's unusual ability. They taujht her to read and within sixteen monthsllis was able to read the Bible fluently. They saw to it that she alsoame well acquainted with the classics, In time, she was writing verses.r poem on the Death of Rev, George “Whitfield was dedicated to the CountessHuntingdon and was published in 1770. The Wheatleys by this tine haced Phillis from slavery. She was given a trip to London anc while there she was the guest ofthe Countess. Her first volume of poems was published in England. Shecelled the book "Poems on Various Subjects - Religious and iforal." Phillis had to hurry back to America because of the illness of hergcod friend Mrs, Wheatley, It was a gad day for her when her benefactor passec away. a poem in honor of the appointuient of George Washington as nder in Chief of the Colonial Army. He graciously acknowledged pt of the poem and invited "liss Phillis" to visit his headquartersGambridge. She made the trip and was courteously received by Washington© his staff, Although Phillis 'heatley had mastered Latin and had written poenswish attracted international attention, she wrote the following simpleines to express how grateful she was for the gift of Christianity: 'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,Taught my benighted soul to understand, That there's a God, that there's a Savior too:Once I, recemption neither sought nor knew.Some view our race with scornful eye - "Their color is a diabolic dye" Remember Christians, negroes black as Cain,May be refined and join the angelic train, We hope and trust that her name and works will be cherished mostwarmly by all of usł
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