William Vernon

rdf:langString William Vernon

rdf:langString William Vernon

rdf:langString William Vernon

rdf:langString Newport, Rhode Island

rdf:langString right

rdf:langString Newport, Rhode Island

rdf:langString Vernon Cemetery

rdf:langString William Vernon's Home, Newport, Rhode Island

rdf:langString Merchant and slave trader

rdf:langString The Brig Royal Charlotte, Captain Taylor, arrived here last Thursday from Annamaboa, on the Coast of Africa, after a Passage of 11 Days; by whom we have the affecting Intelligence of the tragical Death of Capt. George Frost, and Mr. Wiliam Grant, his Mate, both of this Town, which was perpetrated by the Slaves on board his Sloop, as she lay at Anchor in the River Gaboone, in the month of November last. Capt. Frost having Occasion either for some Wood or Water, sent two Men and a Negro on Shore for that Purpose, himself, the Mate, and a Negro who belonged to the Vessel, remaining on board,; and in the Men's Absence he unfortunately permitted the Slaves, to the Number of about 60, to come upon Deck, who immediately seized him, with the Negro Man, and threw them both overboard. Mr. Grant, at this Time, last sick in the Cabin, unable to rise. Capt. Frost swam up to the Vessel, in order to get on board again; upon which the Slaves threw a Lance at him, which penetrated his Body, where it remained, and with which he attempted to the gain the Shore, but swimming about half the Way, he sunk, and was seen no more. The Negro, who was thrown over with him, had the good Fortune to get safe ashore.-- The Slaves having now the command of the Vessel, they brought the Small Arms, with several Barrels of Powder, upon Deck; and on some Blacks coming off in Canoes to retake the Vessel, the Slaves on board began firing with their Small Arms, but through Ignorance soon set the Powder on Fire, and in the Explosion about 30 of them where destroyed. The Sloop was retaken three Days afterwards, with the most affecting Part this Affair was disclosed, for on entering the Cabin, the Corpse of Mr. Grant was immediately discovered, with his Throat cut in a very shocking Manner, which was supposed to have been done as soon as Capt. Frost and the Negro were thrown over.

rdf:langString William Vernon (January 17, 1719 – December 22, 1806), of Newport, Rhode Island, was a merchant in the Atlantic slave trade who played a leading role in the Continental Congress' maritime activities during the American Revolution. In 1774, Vernon was member of the committee of correspondence between Newport and Boston. As president of the Eastern Navy Board during the Revolution, he was responsible for building and outfitting the ships of the Continental Navy. William Vernon was one of the charter members of the Artillery Company of Newport, and is the namesake of the Vernon House.