Finding Phebe: Uncovering the History of Slavery in Warren, Rhode Island

Although 18th century Warren, RI was surrounded by the slave centers of Newport, Bristol and Providence, its small size has made it a footnote in what has been written about slavery and the slave trade. Building on the work of historians, Patricia Mues and Sarah Weed use primary sources – including wills, inventories, town meeting records, censuses and other documents – to identify the enslaved of Warren and learn their histories. Mues and Weed are co-chairs of the Warren Middle Passage Project and board members of the Warren Preservation Society.