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Timothy Fitch
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Timothy Fitch, 1725-1790
Oil on Canvas by Joseph Blackburn
Courtesy Peabody Essex Museum
Merchant and Slave TraderTimothy Fitch was a Medford Slave Trader. A merchant by profession, Timothy Fitch conducted business in several New England towns, including Boston, Salem, Nantucket and Medford. Fitch owned several ships, including the schooner "Phillis," that were used in the Atlantic slave trade (the "Triangular Trade".) Phillis Wheatley, who wrote the first volume of poetry to be published by an African American, was seized from the Senegambia region as a child in the mid-18th Century and transported on Fitch's ship "Phillis," after which she was named. The cargos of these ships included slaves, rum, molasses, and various other items. Rum and molasses from Medford were taken to West Africa, where they were used to buy African slaves. The slaves were then transported to the Americas and sold. Excerpts from Letters to his Ship CaptainsLetter to Captain Peter Gwinn, Boston27 November 1769Fitch's captains sailed from Boston to West Africa carrying goods to exchange for slaves. In many cases, such as this one, rum was the currency used. "My orders are that you Embrace the first
favourable opportunity & proceed to the Coast of
Affrica, Toutching upon the Windward Coast.
where I would have you dispose of your Cargo if
Possible & purchase your Slaves, even soppose
you give One Hundred & Fifty Gallons Per
head...for Prime Slaves..."
Letter to Captain Peter Gwinn, BostonSeptember 4, 1761Fitch was very particular about the type of slave he wished to be purchased for him. Young men were most preferred because of their strength and the higher price they commanded when sold in the New World. 
"...you are not to take any Children & Especially
Girls, if you Can Avoid it by any means, + as fiew
Woman as Possible... but as many Prime Young
Men Boys as you Can get from 14 to 20 Years of
Age. Take no Slave on Board that has the Least
defect, or Sickly as you will be Early & have a
Choice well assorted..."
Letter to Captain Peter Gwinn, BostonJanuary 12, 1760Captured Africans resisted their enslavement at every opportunity, and insurgency was common on slave ships. Many slaves also sank into despair and refused to eat. Captains attempted to counter this by forcing slaves to dance on deck. "...be Constantly Upon your Gard Night & Day &
Keep good Watch that you May not be Cutt of by
Your Own Slaves... Let your Slaves be well Lookd
after properly & Carefully Tended, Kept in Action
by Playing Upon Deck...& by All Means Keep up
Thare Spirretts."
Letter to Captain Peter Gwinn, Boston8th November 1760The type of slave purchased in Africa was an important consideration. Young adult males were seen to be the most suitable for labor and fetched the highest price. The quote from this letter also clearly shows the involvement of the Northern colonies. 
"Now in regard to your purchasing Slaves, you'll Observe to
get a few Girl Slaves as Possible & as many Prime Boys as you can
after your Completely Slaved you are to Come off & if Early
you may fall in to the Southward & go into Philadelphia or York
or Jerseys, where I hear there is no Duty on Slaves..."
Letter to Captain Peter Gwinn, BostonMarch 5, 1764On arrival in the New World, the slaves were made to look healthy and fit, in order to sell them for the highest price. This was of particular consideration if they were older or in bad shape after the voyage. "If you have any very Old Gray Super anuated Men
or Woman keep them close shaved Head & Face
every day & well Oiled up & make all your slaves
look as Slick & well as possible before they go on
Shore...that they may be Shon to the best
advantage...&
Letter to Captain William Ellery, BostonJanuary 14, 1759Fitch was well aware of the potential dangers of carrying a cargo of slaves. 
"As you have had often the Care of a Number of Slaves, so I
think is needless to say much upon that head in Regard to
keeping them well secured & a Constant Watch over them
& att the same time you'll consider that many Vessells have been
cutt off through Neglect or thinking themselves Secure."
An Account of Slaves sold at Auction
Bridge Town Barbados August 21, 1759 An acct of what slaves was sold at public vandwe belloning to Mr Timothy Fitch Marcht in Boston New Engd Vz --- Tuesday Aug 21 1759
Excerpts and images are from original letters written by Timothy Fitch. From the collection of the Medford Historical Society. |
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