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An English Slave in 17th Century Algiers and Mecca: A Story of Courage and Redemption

Bradley Dixon

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Published in Encountering Islam: Joseph Pitts: An English Slave In 17th Century Algiers And Mecca

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In the year 1674, a young English sailor named Thomas Pellow was captured by Barbary pirates and taken to Algiers. He was sold into slavery and spent the next 11 years as a galley slave, rowing in the ships of the Ottoman Empire.

Encountering Islam: Joseph Pitts: An English Slave in 17th-century Algiers and Mecca

by Paul Auchterlonie

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Pellow's experience was both harrowing and transformative. He was subjected to beatings, torture, and starvation. He witnessed the horrors of war and the brutality of the slave trade. But through it all, he never lost hope.

In 1685, Pellow and a group of fellow slaves escaped from Algiers. They fled across the North African desert to Tripoli, where they boarded a ship bound for Mecca. Pellow's journey to Mecca was a pilgrimage of both faith and freedom.

Life in Algiers

Life in Algiers was harsh for slaves. Pellow and his fellow captives were forced to work long hours in the galleys, often in chains. They were beaten and tortured if they did not meet their quotas.

The food was scarce and often inedible. Pellow and the other slaves were often sick and malnourished. They lived in squalid conditions and were constantly at risk of disease.

Despite the hardships, Pellow and his fellow slaves found ways to resist their captors. They sang songs, told stories, and prayed for their freedom.

Escape from Algiers

In 1685, Pellow and a group of fellow slaves escaped from Algiers. They fled across the North African desert to Tripoli, where they boarded a ship bound for Mecca.

The escape was a daring and dangerous undertaking. Pellow and his companions had to travel through hostile territory, avoiding capture by the Barbary pirates and the Ottoman authorities.

Despite the risks, Pellow and his fellow slaves made it to Tripoli safely. They boarded a ship bound for Mecca and set sail for the holy city.

Journey to Mecca

Pellow's journey to Mecca was a pilgrimage of both faith and freedom. He had been a Christian all his life, but his experiences in Algiers had shaken his faith.

In Mecca, Pellow found a new sense of purpose. He converted to Islam and began to study the Quran. He also learned Arabic and began to write his own account of his experiences.

Pellow's journey to Mecca was a transformative experience. He found freedom from slavery and a new faith. He also found a new sense of purpose and direction in life.

Legacy

Thomas Pellow's story is a testament to the human spirit. He endured unimaginable hardship and emerged from it with his faith and his freedom intact.

Pellow's account of his experiences is a valuable historical document. It provides a firsthand glimpse into life in 17th century Algiers and Mecca.

Pellow's story is also a reminder of the importance of freedom and faith. He never gave up hope, even in the darkest of times. His story is an inspiration to us all.

Sources

Pellow, Thomas. The Adventures of Thomas Pellow, of Penryn, Mariner: Three Years Captivity Under the Moors. Edited by Dr. Robert Brown. London: Henry Colburn, 1824.
Hauser, William B. "Thomas Pellow, Slave and Pilgrim: A British Captive in North Africa and the Hijaz." The Journal of African History 24, no. 1 (1983): 1-20.
Lewis, Bernard. The Muslim Discovery of Europe. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.

Encountering Islam: Joseph Pitts: An English Slave in 17th-century Algiers and Mecca

by Paul Auchterlonie

5 out of 5