Nat Turner's Rebellion - American History, 1493-1945

Authentic and impartial narrative of the tragical scene …

1831

View the narrative of the revolt in Southampton County, Virginia, in the resource

On first appearance, the Authentic and impartial narrative of the tragical scene which was witnessed in Southampton County (Virginia)… offers a distinctly partial interpretation of Nat Turner’s rebellion. An illustration depicting the “Horrid Massacre in Virginia” shows a scene of slaughter which includes a mother sheltering her children from an African-American enslaved person wielding an axe. We are told in the opening pages of Turner’s “nefarious designs” and how his fellow enslaved people were “deluded” with the promise of liberty. It may be surprising then, to learn that the work was written by an abolitionist. As the narrative goes on, Samuel Warner demonstrates sympathy for the slave rebellion. “We cannot hold those entirely blameless… who robbed them of their domestic joys… and doomed them in this “Land of Liberty” to a state of cruel bondage!” It is clear that, in the fallout of the “horrid massacre,” Samuel Warner chose to introduce an abolitionist interpretation with subtlety.

Turner’s rebellion took place in August 1831. Over 70 enslaved and free African Americans took part, killing between 55 and 65 white people including women and children. Retaliation was swift as local militia put down the rebellion within two days. Dozens of enslaved people, including Turner, were executed for their role in the uprising and over 100 African Americans were murdered in the violence which followed.

Turner was an intelligent and devoutly religious man who believed that an act of violence would force the White population to realise the brutality of the slave system. His rebellion was one of around 250 acts of enslaved resistance during the antebellum period, though none were as violent as Turner’s. Following Turner’s rebellion, laws were passed throughout the South making it illegal to teach African Americans how to read or write.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion