Museum of American Revolution acquires newspaper printing of letter penned by Phillis Wheatley

Printed in 1774 on the entrance web page of the Connecticut Journal, Wheatley penned the letter to her good friend, minister and Mohegan Native American, Samson Occom.

“She has transitioned from slavery to freedom once more and is telling individuals you can’t proceed to say that you simply imagine in these rights of man. You possibly can’t proceed to say that you simply imagine in equality whereas holding of us like me enslaved,” mentioned Adrienne Whaley, director of training and neighborhood engagement on the Museum of the American Revolution.

Whaley says this newspaper printing gives a uncommon glimpse into the battle for human equality through the American Revolution.

“Her phrases as a girl who will get her freedom on this second are massively vital for forcing individuals to deal with what this contraction is and what it means,” she mentioned.

Whaley says so typically the expertise of that point was seen as binary or a one-dimensional thirst for freedom for all.

However she provides that Wheatley compelled individuals to grapple with deeper, extra complicated points in that second.

“She’s utilizing her voice to advocate for constructive change on this revolutionary second. And for individuals to stroll away, each seeing that and the complexity of the revolutionary period, we expect that is massively vital,” mentioned Whaley.

The museum acquired the unique newspaper printing for buy from a personal collector. It is on show till a minimum of July 4.