Nathaniel Turner

Nathaniel Turner, born October 2, 1800 (known as the The Slave Rebel) was given the name Turner because he was born into slavery on the farm of Benjamin Turner. This does not make him a descendant of the Turners. Nathaniel Turner, known for Nat Turner's Revolt is the best known of the three major slaves uprisings which occurred in the South in the early decades of the 19th century. He was born on a plantation in Southampton County, Virgina. Nat Turner was a popular Religious Leader among his fellow slaves. They became convinced that he had been chosen by God to lead his people to freedom. On August 21, 1831, 1831 he and five other slaves killed their master and his family, then joined by about 60 Blacks from neighboring plantations started a general revolt. By August 24th the rebellion was brought under control by white militiamen and volunteers. However, Nat Turner himself was not captured for another six weeks. More than 50 Whites were slain during the uprising, and an unknown number of Blacks were lynched in reprisal by White mobs. After their tried and convicted, Turner and 15 of his companions were hanged in Jerusalem Virginia. Contrary to the common belief, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 freed only the slaves in the North or the slaves of the Union or United States, who where the slaves in the North from Canada to the Mason Dixon. However, Slaves South of the Mason Dixon were still being treated and called slaves. It wasn't until December 18, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified and passes. It Reads: "Neither Slavery Nor Involuntary Servitude Except As a Punishment for Crime Whereof The Party shall have Been Duly Convicted, Shall Exist Within The United States, Or Any Place Subject To Their Jurisdiction" Section II "Congress Shall Have Power To Enforce The Article By Appropriate Legislation." This Amendment freed all slaves and abolished slavery and Involuntary Servitude. And then, two years later, on July 9, 1868 The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified and passed.