Prince Boston
1750
About Prince Boston
Born 1750.
Prince Boston was born into slavery on Nantucket, Massachusetts in about 1750. His parents, Boston and Maria, were the slaves of William Swain, a Nantucket merchant. In 1760, William Swain freed Prince's parents with the stipulation that each of their children remain in servitude until the age of 28.
In 1773, Prince Boston became the first slave in Massachusetts to successfully sue for his freedom and was able to receive back wages for his time spent on a whaleship.
Prince Boston's nephew Absalom Boston would become the first whaleship captain to employ an all black crew.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Prince Boston?
1750
When was Prince Boston born?
Prince Boston was born in 1750.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Prince Boston. https://biography.guide/prince-boston/
MLA: "Prince Boston." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/prince-boston/.
Chicago: "Prince Boston." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/prince-boston/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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