History Focus
October 2

American slave, leader of a black slave revolt. .

Nat Turner was born on a plantation in Southampton County, Virginia, on October 2, 1800. Nat Turner was a popular religious leader among his fellow slaves and became convinced that he had been chosen by God to lead his people to freedom. On August 21, 1831, he and five other slaves killed their master and his family. They were joined by about 60 blacks from neighboring plantations and started a general revolt. The rebellion was quickly brought under control on August 24, by white militiamen and volunteers. Nat Turner was not captured, however, for another six weeks. During the short revolt more than 50 whites were slain. An unknown number of blacks were lynched in reprisal by white mobs during and for sometime after the uprising.

Turner and 15 of his companions were tried and convicted. Later they were all hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia. The result of Nat Turner's revolt, proved detrimental to the abolishment of slavery. The southern legislatures imposed stricter control on slaves. The movement to abolish slavery, which had previously enjoyed some support in the South, dwindled. After the uprising the abolition of slavery was generally only persued by the north.

Sources: Microsoft(R) Encarta(R)