2. Scale of Operations
The scale of Franklin & Armfield’s operations was staggering, marking them as the largest slave traders in the United States. Over the course of their enterprise, they are estimated to have trafficked more than 20,000 enslaved individuals. Their network extended from Virginia to Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, effectively connecting the Upper South with the booming cotton fields of the Deep South.
They deployed sophisticated logistics, including slave pens and auction houses, to manage the influx and sale of enslaved people. This extensive reach not only profited the partners immensely but also entrenched the institution of slavery deeper into American society.
