Nat Turner

Background

Nat Turner was born on October 2, 1800, in Southampton County, Virginia, in the U.S. He was a preacher and Black American slave who led a four-day rebellion of enslaved and free Black people in Southampton County, Virginia in August 1981. He didn’t know his father because he was born into slavery on a rural plantation in Southampton County. His mother’s name was Nancy and he learned how to read from an early age. This allowed him to become educated and he was also a devout Christian who later became a prophet to the slaves on the plantation where he worked. He was simply known as Nat on the plantation.

He was regarded as a prophet and preacher to other enslaved people working on the plantation and Turner would often host religious services for them. He would also claim to see visions from God and interpret them for his fellow plantation workers. Turner worked on several plantations throughout his life and he ran away from the one he was born on in 1921, but he later returned after having a vision from God. In 1824, he had another vision of a future judgment day and he decided to put this into action himself. His decision was finalized when, in 1828, he was convinced that he was divinely ordained to bring justice to the plantation owner, Samuel Turner, and to free his followers.

In 1831, Turner planned and executed a rebellion and killed the plantation owner and his wife. Unfortunately, Turner was caught after being in hiding and he was hanged for his crimes. Despite this, Turner died a hero and he inspired many rebellions after his death.