Well-known local historian Jerry Wiles will share the life of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American woman poet, on Monday, Feb. 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. at The Lincoln Home.

Born in Senegal/Gambia around 1753, Phillis was kidnapped and brought to Boston on a slave ship around the age of 7. Upon her arrival, John Wheatley purchased the young girl, who was in fragile health, as a servant for his wife, Susanna. Her quick intelligence was hard to miss, and as a result, Phillis received lessons in theology, English, Latin and Greek, Ancient history, mythology and literature. She published her first poem at the age of 13. At a time when African Americans were discouraged and intimidated from learning how to read and write, Wheatley's life was an anomaly.

If you would like to be added to our monthly event mailing list, contact Steve Raymond, 563-3350, or steve@lincoln-home.org. For more information or to be a speaker or performer at one of our events, contact our Director of Community Life Rhonda Hanna, 563-3350. 

The Lincoln Home is located at 22 River Road, Newcastle.