1. Origins of the Business
Franklin & Armfield’s slave trading enterprise took root in the early 19th century amidst a booming economy that thrived on agriculture, particularly cotton. John Armfield and Isaac Franklin recognized the lucrative potential of human trafficking and established their partnership in 1825.
Their business began in Virginia, which served as a pivotal hub for the slave trade, allowing them to capitalize on the demand for labor in the Deep South. They employed various tactics, including deceptive auctions and aggressive marketing, to acquire enslaved individuals, often breaking apart families in the process. This ruthless approach laid the foundation for their extensive network.
