Nat Turner's Early Life And Religious Beliefs

Nat Turner

Basic profile

Full name: Nathaniel Turner

Birth: October 2nd 1800

Death: November 11th 1831

Place of birth: Southampton County, Virginia

Place of death: Jerusalem, Virginia

Family: Nancy Turner (Mother), Cherry Turner (Spouse), Riddick Turner (Son)

Who was Nat Turner?

Nathaniel Turner was born into slavery on October 2, 1800 in Southampton County, Virginia. Turner was recorded as "Nat" by Benjamin Turner who held his mother and him captive as slaves. Turner knew little of his father as it was believed that his father had escaped when he was a little boy.

Armed with weapons and guns, Nat Turner, an African American slave, and other followers erupted a violent rebellion for slaves and free blacks on August 21st 1831. He

His passion increased which lead many other slaves to start calling him "The Prophet". He was "gifted" with visions which he interpreted as messages from God. He held onto the vision until he was 22, when he ran away from his owner only to return 1 month later claiming he had a spiritual revelation.

In early 1828, Turner was convinced that he "was ordained for some great purposes by the Almighty". Leading up to the rebellion in 1828, he stated that atmospheric conditions was a sign to start preparing for his rebellion against slave owners. He initially planned for it to take place on July 4, Independence Day but later decided against it because of illness. On August 7, an eclipse of the sun was spotted and Turner took this as a last signal and began his

He was then found on October 30th by farmer Benjamin Phipps. Nat Turner was tried on November 5th 1831 for "conspiring to rebel and making insurrection", convicted and sentenced to death. Turner was hanged 6 days later and beheaded to frighten to-be rebels. He received no formal burial and was thrown into an unnamed grave.

The Impact of Nat Turner's Rebellion

Many southern slave owners in America had the impression that they had complete control over slaves, but Turner's rebellion changed that notion entirely. The insurrection showed that slaves were organized and capable of planning resistance against slavery. It laid a negative impact on the conditions of a slave in the South. After Turner's capture and death, many were afraid that another revolt would occur. A small population of the South thought that Nat Tuner's rebellion was the turning point for slavery and would end it for good.

In the first few months of the aftermath of the insurrection, articles and newspapers all over the state were identified as "Horrid Massacre in Virginia"(source B, "Horrid Massacre in Virginia," 1831) . This terrified many people and gave slaves around the country hope as earlier rebellions were all