New research has revealed the name of a woman who may be the last known survivor of the transatlantic slave trade.
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A woman named Redoshi has been identified as being one of the 116 West African children and young adults stolen from West Africa and taken to the U.S. on the Clotilda, the last slave ship to arrive in the country in 1860, according to a press release from Newcastle University and research from Hannah Durkin, a lecturer in the U.K.
The research suggests Redoshi was likely the last survivor of the transatlantic slave trade, who also ultimately became a free woman, The New York Times reports.
Durkin noticed that author Zora Neale Hurston referred to Redoshi in her writings so she looked deeper into the life of the mysterious woman.
According to CNN, Durkin learned through research about Redoshi’s story in America started at age 12 when she was abducted from modern-day Benin and sold into slavery in Alabama.
Redoshi, she learned was forced to get married on a ship to a man known as William or Billy. The two were both sold to Washington Smith, who owned the Bogue Chitto plantation in Dallas County.
Redoshi was made to assume the name Sally Smith and worked for five years in the house and the fields.
After emancipation, she continued to live on the plantation with her daughter.
It was originally believed that the last survivor of the slave trade was Oluale Kossola, who was also known as Cudjo Lewis.
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Common’s Freedom Road Productions acquired rights to be developed as a limited series.