Death and Legacy
Nat Turner was captured from his escape on October 30, 1831. Turner’s lawyer who represented him in this case was Thomas R. Gray, who wrote Turner’s Confession. On a Sunday morning Benjamin Phipps came across a place where multiple pines have been cut down and with curiosity decided to take a look. When Phipps saw Turner he raised his gun but Turner surrendered on his own. The Daily National Intelligencer on 1831 states, “ Mr. P ordered him to give up his arms; Nat then threw away an old sword, which seems to be the only weapon he had. The prisoner, as his captor came up, submissively laid himself on the ground, and was then securely tied-not making the least resistance!”(1). When Benjamin Phipps brought Turner in to the jail he claimed that Turner was a miserable object, dejected, emaciated, and ragged(2). Turner pled that he was not guilty during his trial because he strongly believed his act was a calling by God. "The court after hearing the testimony and from all the circumstances of the case are unanimous of opinion that the prisoners is guilty in manner and form as in the information against him is aligned, and it being demanded of him if anything for himself he had or new to say why the Court to judgment and executed against him of and upon the premises should not proceed" (3). On November 11, 1831 Turner was hung to death. Turner was not the only black to die because of his rebellion but many other co-conspirators of his were given the same sentence. Turners rebellion also affected the states law on slaves as preechers. Governor John Floyd states, "I hope I shall be excused for suggestg other civils slaves should not be permitted to have preachng at any time nor should they be permitted to go about contracting for themselves" (4). Nat Turners rebellion put a great fear into the community and into the white slave holders in the south. When Turners rebellion hit the news he was called names such as a "blood thirsty wolf" and a "monster"(5). Turner’s rebellion did not free black but instead created even harsher laws for black slaves. It is safe to say that over the years Turner’s image has been changed. Many placed Turner as some type of hero, or a religious extremist, or even a monster.
(1) Daily National Intelligencer. "Nat Turner Finally Captured and Identified!." The Mitchell Archives. http://mitchellarchives.com/nat-turner-finally-captured-and-identified.htm (accessed April 19, 2014).
(2) Daily National Intelligencer(3) Governor's Office. "Trial of Nat Turner, Southampton County, 5 November 1831." Death or Liberty. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/deathliberty/natturner/trial.htm (accessed April 21, 2014).(4) John Floyd. "Norborne E. Sutton to Governor John Floyd." Death or Liberty. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/deathliberty/natturner/sutton29.htm (accessed April 20, 2014).
(5) PBS. "The Richmond Enquirer on Nat Turner's Rebellion." PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h499t.html (accessed April 16, 2014).
(1) Daily National Intelligencer. "Nat Turner Finally Captured and Identified!." The Mitchell Archives. http://mitchellarchives.com/nat-turner-finally-captured-and-identified.htm (accessed April 19, 2014).
(2) Daily National Intelligencer(3) Governor's Office. "Trial of Nat Turner, Southampton County, 5 November 1831." Death or Liberty. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/deathliberty/natturner/trial.htm (accessed April 21, 2014).(4) John Floyd. "Norborne E. Sutton to Governor John Floyd." Death or Liberty. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/deathliberty/natturner/sutton29.htm (accessed April 20, 2014).
(5) PBS. "The Richmond Enquirer on Nat Turner's Rebellion." PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h499t.html (accessed April 16, 2014).