Briton Hammon

Narrative of Briton Hammon

Briton Hammon was a slave in the middle of the 18th century, who, after leaving his master, may have encountered more hardships outside his sanctioned slavery than as a slave. He recorded, and published, his "uncommon" story as a slave and his many hardships. Some of these include being captured by Indians after the deaths of all persons but himself on the ship and being held in captivity twice, once for almost five years. He described many attempts of escaping his captives, almost ending his life in a very poor state, and finally prevailing as a free man.

Encounter with the Indians

On December 25, 1747, Briton Hammon left Marshfield in Boston on his first expedition with the permission of his master, General Winslow. He intended to go to Plymouth and from there Jamaica. However on the June 15, 1748, the ship where Hammon was currently located was cast away, not far from the shore of Cape Florida. The captain ordered the ship’s crew to, in smaller groups; make for the shore in a smaller boat. At the point when half of the crew was ashore, they were attacked by a group of 60 Indians, who bound, and captured them. Then after killing the remaining crew, which was currently on the ship through burning the ship, returned and killed those who were bound. During which Hammon seeing his eminent death, attempted his escape in swimming away. This was an unsuccessful attempt however he was the only of the crew to survive, as he was held captive by the Indians, and despite his current state, was fed well. However, Hammon escaped due to an acquaintance on a Spanish ship, which arrived there from St. Augustine. The captain of which made a deal with the Indians, giving them 10 dollars to keep Hammon, as well as making sure they would not hereafter kill any other persons but capture as many as they could and bring them to the Captain for which they would be sold for 10 dollars.

Living in the Havanna

After this venture, Hammon lived with the governor in the Castle. After about 12 months he (and others) was accosted in the street by a "Press-Gang" and taken to jail. He spent a night in jail, then refused to work upon a Spanish ship and was put in a dungeon, where he remained for almost five years. He petitioned prison visitors to communicate with the Governor. This was unsuccessful until a Mrs. Betty Howard pleaded his case to a visiting Boston ship's captain who visited Hammon in his "deplorable Condition" and secured his release through the Governor. The Governor sent an order to release him, and Hammon returned to live with him in the castle for about a year.

Attempts to Escape

During his second period with the Governor, Hammon attempted to escape three times. The first attempt included him boarding a ship, where he then spent the night concealed. When it departed he revealed himself and the Captain of the ship ordered the boat back to return him to shore. After a time of living with the Governor again he made his second attempt to escape, again trying to board a ship, this time bound to Jamaica. He was, again, almost immediately sent back by order of the Guard. Hammon was promptly liberated, and ordered with quite a few other slaves to carry a Bishop through the country. He was employed in this way for about seven months.

His Liberty

After working for Bishop for a time, Hammon was set free to work in his previous city and work for himself, no longer as a slave. And so seeing nothing further to do he left on a ship to Jamaica, and from there on to London. On his way to London the ship which he was aboard had a conflict with another ship, killing 70 and leaving him wounded in the head with a small shot, which left him incapable of working. He then stayed a while in the Greenwich Hospital, where he soon recovered. After working again for a short time, he became sick with fever and was confined in London for six weeks. While ill he exhausted his money and was left in a very poor state. After recovering and while working aboard a ship, Hammon was reunited with his old master after nearly 13 years. Both were very delighted to be brought back together.

References

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