Nat Turner

             Nat Turner was born in South Hampton, Virginia on October 2, 1800. Nat the son of slaves, was property of Benjamin Turnema prosperous plantation owner. Nat's mother and grandmother had been brought to America from Africa and had a deep hatred of slavery.
             Nat grew up sharing his mother's view of slavery. Taught to read by his masters son, Nat developed deep religious beliefs and courage by his parents, gradually began to believe that God had chosen him to lead his people out of slavery.
             In 1831 Turner was sold to Joseph Travis. In February of that year an eclipse of the sun convinced Turner that this was a supernatural sign from God to start an insurrection. However, it wasn't until August 21st that Turner and about seven other slaves killed Travis and his family to launch his rebellion. In all, about fifty whites were killed.
             Turner had hope that his action will cause a massive slave uprising but only seventy-five joined his rebellion. Over 3,000 members of the state militia were sent to deal with Turners Rebellion and they were soon defeated. In retaliation, more than a 100 innocent slaves were killed. Turner went into hiding but was captured six weeks later. Nat Turner was executed on the 11th of November, 1831.
             Thomas Gray met Nat Turner in prison and recorded his account of the slave rebellion in August, 1831. The late insurrection in South Hampton has greatly excited the public mind, and led to a thousand idle, exaggerated and mischievous reports. It is the first instance in our history of an open rebellion of the slaves, and ignited with such outrageous circumstances of cruelty and destruction; as could not foul to leave a deep impression, not only upon the minds of the community were this fearful tragedy was wrong, but throughout every portion of our country, in which this population is to be found. Public curiosity has been on the strength to understand the origin and process of this dreadful conspiracy, and the motives which influences its diabolical actors.