Nat Turner’s Bible
- Title of the Document
- Nat Turner’s Bible
- One Line Summary
- This is a Bible believed to have belonged to Nat Turner, which reflects his religious beliefs and role as a spiritual leader in the 1831 rebellion
- Author
- Unknown (Published Bible in Turner’s possession)
- Date Created
- 1800
- Location
- The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Washington, D.C
- Type of Document
- Book
- Publisher
- Unspecified
- Transcription
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This Bible is believed to have belonged to Nat Turner, the leader of the 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. It is one of the few surviving personal items directly associated with Turner. Turner’s bible is small, pocket-sized, suggesting that it was meant for personal and portable use. Turner’s bible is a King James Version and has gold around the edge of the pages, placing this bible in the era of Nat Turner, as these features were common in the 19th century. The cover and condition of the bible are fragile, with cracks and creases showing how much it was used.
This bible was in Turner’s possession at the time of his capture. Turner was known as a religious man and preacher among the enslaved in Southampton County.
This bible was likely used for personal studying and preaching, highlighting the role that religion played in motivating Turner’s 1831 rebellion. The survival of Turner’s bible adds another dimension to the understanding of Turner not only as a rebel but as a religious figure. - Related
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Nat Turner (1800-1831)
- Provenance
- Museum label for Bible Owned by Nat Turner, Washington, D.C., National Museum of African American History and Culture, April 24, 2025.