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American History

15 Dark Truths About How Franklin & Armfield Ran America’s Largest Slave Trading Business

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7. Financial Gains

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Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham (March 15, 1817 – May 4, 1887) was an American planter and slave trader. She became the wealthiest woman in Tennessee and a plantation owner in her own right after the 1846 death of her first husband, Isaac Franklin. Source: Wikipedia

The financial gains generated by Franklin & Armfield were astronomical, positioning them as key players in the American economy. Their profits from the slave trade were substantial, with estimates suggesting revenues reaching into the millions of dollars.

This wealth was not only derived from the sale of enslaved individuals but also from strategic investments in cotton plantations and other enterprises that relied on slave labor. The success of their business model contributed significantly to the economic growth of the South, reinforcing the institution of slavery as a cornerstone of American commerce, while simultaneously perpetuating human suffering and exploitation.

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