Venture Smith
Venture Smith was born in the early 1720s as "prince of the tribe of Dukandarra, in Guinea." He was captured during war and shipped from Barbados to Rhode Island via the Middle Passage.
"After an ordinary passage, except great mortality by the small pox, which broke out on board, we arrived at the island of Barbadoes: but when we reached it, there were found out of the two hundred and sixty that sailed from Africa, not more than two hundred alive. These were all sold, except myself and three more, to the planters there," Venture describes (page 13). Venture continues to explain the journey his family made as they fled from enemy tribes nearby his home town. Unfortunately, Venture and his family were captured and eventually sold into slavery. After his encounters in the West Indies, he traveled to the Americas and landed in Rhode Island. He continued his life and married another slave, Meg. Venture continued his life by purchasing his family's and friend's freedom, then residing on his own land. |