1793-Jul.: William Johnson, a black cook from Philadelphia, arrived at Cap Français aboard the ship Rising Sun.

1793-Jul.: William Johnson, a black cook from Philadelphia, arrived at Cap Français aboard the ship Rising Sun. The vessel had been hired by French merchants and later came under the direct employ of Civil Commissioner Léger-Félicité Sonthonax. Johnson witnessed the transition of the colony as the ship was used to transport sensitive government money and documents between ports. Rumors circulated in the Caribbean that this Philadelphia vessel was a regular agent for the revolutionary administration. Johnson’s experience placed a North American black man at the center of the logistical operations of the new revolutionary government.