Nat Turner (1800-1831)

Summary Label

Enslaved carpenter who led a major slave revolt in the 1800s.

Title

Nat Turner (1800-1831)

Date of Birth

October 2, 1800

Date of Death

November 11, 1831

gender

Male

Hometown or Region

Southampton County, Virginia

Freedom Status

Enslaved

Occupation

Religious Practitioner, Carpenter & Slave

Biography

Nat Turner was born on October 2, 1800, in Southampton County Virginia. He was hung on November 11, 1831 after leading a violent slave revolt. Nat Turner was important because he spread fear throughout the white south and served as an important role of freedom to African Americans during the 1800s. His actions changed the mindset of slave owners, showing that slaves had the aptitude to spread violence and fear in the hearts of white slave owners. Turner moved around very little in America, only staying in Southampton County. However, during his revolt he moved around many plantations in Southampton County. Even though he did not move around much, his impact on the south was much bigger. He showed slaves what was possible and slave owners that slaves were capable of doing this and much more. Turner’s network consisted of various slaves in the plantations surrounding himself. Nat Turner passed away on November 11, 1831. He was captured after his revolt, interviewed, put on trial, and hung from a tree in Southampton County Virginia.

Click here to see the Nat Turner Map

Connected Historical Actor(s)

Hark, Henry, Nelson, Sam, Jack, and Will. - These were the first members of the rebellion that met for dinner before the revolt.

Student Researcher

Hudson Lawrence