Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Phillis Wheatley
John Wheatley went to a Boston slave auction. There he bought a scared young girl. She may have been eight years old. She came from West Africa. Wheatley took her home to his wife, Susanna. They named the child Phillis, after the ship that brought her to Boston. Susanna Wheatley and her daughter Mary taught Phillis English and Latin. Phillis was a bright student. In one year she learned to read and write! Later she started writing poetry. As a teenager, Phillis went to London. Her doctor hoped the sea voyage would improve her health. The Wheatleys sent their son Nathaniel with her. Phillis enjoyed her time in London. A book of her poetry was published there! She was still a slave. A few years later, .....
