William Vernon (January 17, 1719 – December 22, 1806), of Newport, Rhode Island, was a merchant in the Atlantic slave trade who played a leading role in the Continental Congress' maritime activities during the American Revolution.

The Vernons then used those profits to purchase molasses from those ports before buying more rum in the colonies, continuing the triangular cycle of trade.

[8] Beginning in the 1750s, the Vernons became one of the first Newport merchants to sell African slaves directly to the southern colonies, instead of exclusively in the West Indies.

Their ships returning from the West Indies offloaded slaves in South Carolina in exchange for barrels of rice destined for markets in New England.

The Vernons serve as a perfect example of the pivotal role Rhode Island played in the American slave trade—they had at one time as many as eight vessels engaged in the trade.

[7] The Brig Royal Charlotte, Captain Taylor, arrived here last Thursday from Annamaboa, on the Coast of Africa, after a Passage of 11 Days; by whom we have the affecting Intelligence of the tragical Death of Capt.

George Frost, and Mr. Wiliam Grant, his Mate, both of this Town, which was perpetrated by the Slaves on board his Sloop, as she lay at Anchor in the River Gaboone, in the month of November last.

Frost swam up to the Vessel, in order to get on board again; upon which the Slaves threw a Lance at him, which penetrated his Body, where it remained, and with which he attempted to the gain the Shore, but swimming about half the Way, he sunk, and was seen no more.

The Negro, who was thrown over with him, had the good Fortune to get safe ashore.-- The Slaves having now the command of the Vessel, they brought the Small Arms, with several Barrels of Powder, upon Deck; and on some Blacks coming off in Canoes to retake the Vessel, the Slaves on board began firing with their Small Arms, but through Ignorance soon set the Powder on Fire, and in the Explosion about 30 of them where destroyed.

The Sloop was retaken three Days afterwards, with the most affecting Part this Affair was disclosed, for on entering the Cabin, the Corpse of Mr. Grant was immediately discovered, with his Throat cut in a very shocking Manner, which was supposed to have been done as soon as Capt.

An advertisement for the cargo describes them as a "Parcel of extreme fine, healthy and well limbed Gold Coast Slaves; Men, Women, Boys and Girls."

[10] William Vernon and his family continued his Atlantic slave trade activities after the revolution and following his brother Samuel's death in 1792, until at least 1799.