Prince Boston facts for kids

Prince Boston was born into slavery in 1750 on Nantucket, an island in Massachusetts. His parents, named Boston and Maria, were also enslaved by a merchant named William Swain.

In 1760, William Swain decided to free Prince's parents. However, he made a rule that their children, including Prince, would have to remain enslaved until they turned 28 years old. This meant Prince was still not free, even though his parents were.

Prince Boston's Fight for Freedom

Prince Boston did something very brave and important in 1773. He became the first enslaved person in Massachusetts to successfully go to court and sue for his freedom. This means he took his case to a judge and argued that he should be free.

The court agreed with Prince. He not only won his freedom but also received money for the work he had done while enslaved on a whaleship. This was a big victory for him and for others fighting against slavery.

What Was a Whaleship?

A whaleship was a large boat used for hunting whales. People on these ships would sail far out into the ocean to catch whales for their oil and other products. Prince Boston had worked on one of these ships while he was enslaved.

A Family Legacy

Prince Boston's story of fighting for freedom is an important part of history. His nephew, Absalom Boston, also became a notable figure. Absalom Boston later became the first captain of a whaleship whose entire crew was made up of Black sailors. This shows how the family continued to make history and break barriers.