John Hagan (slave trader)

John Hagan was an 18th-century British slave trader. Historical records indicate that he was involved in the transatlantic slave trade, primarily operating out of Liverpool, England. He captained and/or owned ships engaged in the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, particularly to the Caribbean islands and the American colonies.

Details of Hagan's life beyond his involvement in the slave trade are scarce. Historical documents related to shipping manifests, insurance policies, and court records provide the primary source of information about his activities. These records often detail the names of ships he commanded or owned, the number of enslaved people transported on each voyage, and the destinations of these voyages. They also sometimes mention the goods exchanged for enslaved Africans on the West African coast.

Hagan's participation in the slave trade contributed to the forced migration and exploitation of African people, and his actions helped to perpetuate the system of chattel slavery in the Americas. His activities highlight the central role of British merchants and traders in the transatlantic slave trade, a system that had devastating consequences for millions of Africans and their descendants.

The specific years during which John Hagan was active in the slave trade, the exact number of voyages he undertook, and the total number of enslaved people he transported are still subjects of ongoing historical research, as records may be incomplete or dispersed across various archives. Further investigation of primary source documents is needed to develop a more complete and nuanced understanding of his involvement in this inhumane trade.