Briton Hammon facts for kids
Briton Hammon was an African man who lived in America in the 1700s. He was an enslaved person, meaning he was forced to work without pay and was not free. His amazing life story was written down in a book called A Narrative of the Uncommon Sufferings, and Surprizing [sic] Deliverance of Briton Hammon, A Negro Man, published in 1760.
On December 25, 1747, Briton Hammon left his home in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He had permission from the person who enslaved him to work on a ship. He planned to sail from Plymouth to Jamaica. But on June 15, 1748, his ship was wrecked off the coast of Florida. This was just the start of many difficult adventures.
After the shipwreck, Briton Hammon faced many challenges. He was captured by Native Americans in Florida. He then spent four years in a Spanish prison in Cuba. Later, he was rescued and joined the British navy. He served for several years and was even wounded in a battle. Eventually, he was honorably released from the navy. Amazingly, he met the person who had enslaved him again in London. His story ends with them traveling back to New England together.
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Captured by Florida Native Americans
On December 25, 1747, Briton Hammon began his first sea journey. He had permission from General Winslow, the person who enslaved him. Hammon planned to sail from Plymouth to Jamaica.
However, on June 15, 1748, the ship hit trouble near Cape Florida. The captain told the crew to get into a small boat and head for shore. When about half the crew was on land, a group of 60 Native Americans attacked them. They captured and tied up the sailors.
The Native Americans then burned the ship and killed those still on board. They returned to shore and began killing the captured sailors. Seeing he was about to die, Hammon tried to escape by swimming away. He was the only one of the crew who survived. The Native Americans held him captive but treated him well and fed him.
Later, a Spanish ship arrived from St. Augustine. The Spanish captain made a deal with the Native Americans. He gave them 10 dollars for Briton Hammon. He also convinced them to capture other people instead of killing them. He offered to buy any captives for 10 dollars each.
Life and Prison in Cuba
After being bought by the Spanish captain, Briton Hammon lived in a castle. This castle belonged to Francisco Cajigal de la Vega, who was the governor of Cuba. Hammon lived there for about a year.
One day, he was stopped in the street by a "Press-Gang." This was a group of people who forced others to join the navy or go to jail. Hammon was taken to jail. He spent one night there. He refused to work on a Spanish ship. Because of this, he was put into a dungeon, which is a dark, underground prison cell. He stayed there for almost five years.
He tried to ask visitors to the prison to talk to the governor for him. This did not work until a woman named Mrs. Betty Howard helped him. She told a visiting ship captain from Boston about Hammon's terrible situation. The captain then spoke to the governor and helped Hammon get released. After his release, Hammon returned to live with the governor in the castle for about another year.
Attempts to Escape
During his second time living with the governor, Hammon tried to escape three times. In his first attempt, he secretly boarded a ship. He hid there overnight. When the ship sailed away, he showed himself. But the captain turned the ship around and sent him back to shore.
He made a second escape attempt, again trying to board a ship. This time, the ship was going to Jamaica. Again, he was quickly sent back to shore.
For seven months, Hammon worked carrying the Roman Catholic Bishop Pedro Augustín Morell de Santa Cruz. He carried the bishop on a litter, which is like a stretcher, through the countryside. After this, he was put in prison again for over four years. This was because he refused to serve on a Spanish warship.
Finally, in 1758, he and others were secretly helped onto a British warship. An English lieutenant helped them get on board.
Reunited with his Enslavement Holder
On his way to London, the ship Briton Hammon was serving on fought a French warship. The French ship killed 70 of the British crew members. Hammon was wounded in his head and arm during the battle.
Hammon went to Greenwich Hospital to get better from his injuries. After he recovered, he was honorably released from the Royal Navy. He worked for a short time but then became very sick with a fever. He was stuck in London for six weeks. While he was ill, he used up all his money and was left in a very poor state.
By a stroke of luck, Briton Hammon was reunited with the person who had enslaved him. This person happened to be in London. They had not seen each other for nearly 13 years. According to Hammon's story, both were very happy to be together again.