The story of Sick Keesar, or Sheikh Kesar, is a fascinating, yet largely overlooked, chapter in the intertwined histories of India and the United States, dating back to the late 18th century. Today, with an estimated 5.4 million Indian-origin individuals residing in the United States, they form the second-largest group among Asian Americans, contributing significantly to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the nation. But how did this deep-rooted connection begin? Historical accounts often highlight the figure of "The Man from Madras," who was spotted in Massachusetts in 1790, as the first Indian to set foot in America. However, deeper investigation reveals that Sick Keesar was, in fact, the first documented Indian—or among the very first—who landed on American soil in 1785, just nine years after the Declaration of Independence.
Sick Keesar’s arrival in America was not a voluntary pursuit of opportunity or freedom but a tragic tale of exploitation within the global maritime trade networks of the time. His name, an anglicized form of Sheikh Kesar, points to his origins as a lascar from Bengal. Lascars were South Asian seafarers highly valued by European trading companies for their unparalleled seamanship skills, expertise in shipbuilding, and deep knowledge of the Indian Ocean. However, these men were often subjected to exploitation, overwork, and dire working conditions, becoming pawns in the larger economic machinery of colonial trade.
Keesar’s fateful journey to the United States began aboard the Dutch merchant ship Pallas Indiaman, captained by John O'Donnell. The ship set sail from Canton (modern-day Guangzhou, China) and was meant to make a stop at Batavia (present-day Jakarta, Indonesia), where Keesar and his fellow crew members were promised they would be relieved of their duties and allowed to return home. However, upon reaching Batavia, the promised European crew failed to arrive, allegedly due to the misconduct of the King of Batavia. Instead of honoring his word, Captain O'Donnell forcibly compelled Keesar and his men, at gunpoint, to continue the voyage to Baltimore in the United States. Their journey across the Atlantic was marked by severe mistreatment, starvation, and cruelty. Keesar and his men were given only one biscuit per day to eat, and Keesar’s 12-year-old son was abducted during the voyage.
When the Pallas finally docked in Baltimore in the summer of 1785, Keesar and his group found themselves stranded, destitute, and far from home. Having been exploited for months on the high seas, they were left with no means to support themselves and were forced to sell their few remaining possessions to survive. Keesar’s group consisted of fellow lascars from Bengal and three Chinese sailors, all of whom faced similar challenges upon their arrival. Their plight eventually led them to Philadelphia, where they received aid from local merchant Levi Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth provided them with food and shelter, ensuring their immediate survival and giving them the chance to seek justice.
In Philadelphia, Keesar and his companions appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, presenting their case as victims of exploitation and abuse. Despite their lack of familiarity with the English language and legal system, they found mediators to help them file a formal complaint. Their petition highlighted not only their suffering but also their hope in the ideals of justice and humanity espoused by the newly independent United States. Keesar’s appeal to the council was a poignant example of resilience and resourcefulness, as he invoked the spirit of a young nation founded on principles of liberty and fairness.
The case caught the attention of Benjamin Franklin, who was then serving as the president of the executive council of Pennsylvania. Franklin, one of America’s most revered Founding Fathers, was not only a statesman but also a writer, scientist, and advocate for justice. Recognizing the significance of Keesar’s plight, Franklin urged the council to act swiftly and compassionately. He argued that the United States needed to demonstrate its commitment to justice and humanity, ensuring that these foreign sailors would not return home harboring negative impressions of the new nation. Under Franklin’s influence, the council approved provisions to sustain the sailors, including hundreds of pounds of beef and bread, over the course of the following year.
Despite this initial support, the assistance eventually dwindled, leaving Keesar and his men once again vulnerable and stranded in a foreign land. In 1786, the council decided to send them back to Baltimore, effectively washing their hands of the matter without making arrangements for their passage back to Asia. Captain Thomas Truxtun, a shipmaster, was tasked with transporting Keesar and his group back home. However, the details of their eventual fate remain unclear. Some scholars speculate that Keesar and his companions may have found passage back to Asia, while others believe they might have stayed in America, inadvertently becoming among the first South Asian immigrants to settle in the nascent nation.
Sick Keesar’s story is not only a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity but also a reflection of the complex and often exploitative nature of global trade during the colonial era. His narrative highlights the struggles faced by early immigrants and the ways in which individuals sought justice within a system stacked against them. While the ultimate outcome of Keesar’s journey remains a mystery, his story stands as a significant moment in the history of Indian presence in the United States, predating other documented accounts by several years.
Keesar’s interaction with Benjamin Franklin also underscores the evolving ideals of a young America grappling with its identity and values. Franklin’s intervention, though limited in its impact, demonstrated the importance of advocating for justice and humanity in a world rife with inequality. Today, as millions of Indians continue to pursue the American Dream, the story of Sick Keesar serves as a reminder of the enduring connections between India and the United States and the long journey that began with the lascars of Bengal over two centuries ago.
