John Brown was the chosen name of a few black woman who enlisted in the Royal Africa Company as a soldier in the 1690s. The article traces her origins and motivations for joining the slaving vessel in London. It looks to her discovery and postulates the purpose of her journey. In so doing it reveals aspects of attitudes towards race, gender and confession of faith.
THis article is republished by World History Connected after 20 years as being one of the selection of lasting contributions to the journal. It is accompanied by a generous editorial introduction and a reflection on the use of the article in teaching etc.