The Sally

This article is about the 18th century Rhode Island brigantine slave ship. For other, see Sally (disambiguation).
Esek Hopkins captained The Sally in 1764-65.

The Sally (1764) was an 18th century Rhode Island brigantine slave ship launched from Providence and destined for the western-most coast of Africa.[1] Like many voyages from the state at this time, the ship was charted by Nicholas Brown and Company, a merchant firm founded by the prominent Brown family (of brothers Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses).[2] This same company, and the successful mercantile family, was the main benefactor in the foundation of Brown University in 1764 (the same year as The Sally’s departure).[1] The story of The Sally rose to infamy upon return – and for centuries, thereafter – due to high mortality rates following a slave revolt and widespread health issues. Of the 196 captives on board, more than 109 were either murdered by captain, Esek Hopkins, and crew, died from diseases and starvation, or took their own lives.[3] Within the state of Rhode Island, The Sally serves an important historical symbol of the atrocities of northern slavery, as well as the legacy of slave labor within prominent American institutions, namely Brown University.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Account of the Slave Ship Sally | EnCompass". Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  2. ^ Ballore, Jonathan, "Invoice: Ballore, Jonathan to Nicholas Brown & Co.: August 13, 1764 " (1764). Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice, Voyage of the Sally. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
  3. ^ "The Voyage of the Slave Ship Sally: 1764-1765". cds.library.brown.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  4. ^ Loury, Glenn C. (2004). "Brown University to Consider Reparations on Account of the Institution's Past Ties to Slavery". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education (43): 18–20. doi:10.2307/4133533. ISSN 1077-3711. JSTOR 4133533.