John Knight

John Knight (1708–1774) was an English slave trader. He was responsible for at least 114 slave voyages in the period 1750–1775 and he transported over 26,000 Africans to the Americas. Knight traded enslaved Africans with the American politician and slave owner Henry Laurens.

Early life Knight was born in Liverpool in 1708. His father, John Knight, was a physician.

Slave trade

Knight was responsible for at least 114 slave voyages in the period 1750–1775, he delivered over 26,000 Africans to the Americas.

Laurens left the slave trade in 1762, but Knight tempted him to return to the trade the following year. Laurens wrote to Knight "he would rather not pursue that trade" but indicated he would sell the cargo for Knight. Laurens also wrote that the price of enslaved people was too low - because crops of rice and indigo were selling poorly, necessitating the use of less labour.

Laurens wrote to Knight and other Liverpool slave traders in 1755. He was expressing his concern about the effect of shipworms on the slavers' ships. He wrote that the Enterprise owned by Knight was so rotten that it had been condemned. The shipworm responsible was the teredo. Laurens also wrote to Knight about a bill before the colonial assembly that would tax and effectively stop the slave trade for three years from 1766. Laurens voted against the bill but was overruled.