Nat Turner

November 10, 1831


Southampton, Virginia



Hello, reader. My name is Nat Turner and I am writing this to express my beliefs before I die tomorrow. I cannot escape my fate, for the white man will not let me. I am destined to be hung tomorrow, but I feel I am dying for an important cause. Although I am only 31, I have accomplished far more than many elderly men, especially for a black slave. I am here in jail because of the slave rebellion I started in August. It all started when I became a slave at the age of 12. My father had already run away long ago, which left an empty place in my heart and my mind. Being a slave meant going through rigorous and seemingly never-ending work, all so some lazy white man could have a little bit easier life. For years I worked for my master as a seemingly trustworthy slave, even though inside it was like there was a volcano of fury in mid-eruption. Eventually, I could not take it anymore. I broke free from the burning shackles of unrewarded servitude, ran away, and became a fugitive. However, I had to go back for my slave brethren, for I received a message from God himself. He told me that I had to go back for them, for it was my divine purpose to rescue them.

After my vision, I rushed back to my old plantation; I had to free my brothers. I arrived on the porch of my “owner” and turned myself in. He was so surprised, he did not even punish me, well at least if working your fingers to the bone every day for somebody else like every slave had to wasn’t considered punishment. The other slaves were confused about why I came back, but I would reveal why soon. I spent my days plotting and planning secretly, sharing everything with my wife, Cherry. After a few years of work, in 1822 to be exact, the plantation owner, Samuel Turner died, meaning the slaves would be appraised and sold. My mother, my wife, and my kids were all sold away from me, leaving me with a heart more bruised than my swollen arms. Luckily, my wife and children were still close to me, although it was not the same. I was tired of this injustice. Something needed to be done!

As I worked for years under my new owner, I kept up with my plans and started secretly rallying the slaves together. Finally, in August, 1831, my rallied army of 75 other slaves and I charged the plantation, killing all white people in sight. We had waited many long, brutal years and if they wouldn’t let us be free, we had to take our freedom by force! We killed 57 white people that day, no matter what their sex or age was. After the rebellion, I knew I had to run. I hid in the woods and swamps for two months, until I was betrayed by my own. My guess is that the white beasts that call themselves humane tortured one of my brother slaves until they blurted out my location. I was sent to jail to wait for my trial. There I wrote my Confessions, almost a diary of my life. I was sent to court on November 5, and found guilty. I will be hung tomorrow, and I can’t help thinking how unfair this is. If it was a white man being forced into slavery, millions would try to abolish it. If a white slave rebelled, it would be considered the right choice for the greater good, and slavery is wrong. But that is because they are human, and we are not. Our skin is a darker pigment, therefore meaning we are some sort of twisted human-like species that is only good for doing work. We have the same capabilities as white people, but none of the privileges. As I write my last composition before my death, I can’t help but think, will there ever be a time when we will be thought of as equal humans? How much will we have to do to get there? Well, as long as we stick together, and fight for our rights using all the fire in our hearts, I hope we can succeed. That is my final prayer.



Citations



Bisson, Terry. "'A Slave's Dream'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,

(accessed February 8, 2009).



Bisson, Terry. "'The First War'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).



Watts, Linda S. "Turner, Nat." Encyclopedia of American Folklore. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. African-American History Online. Facts On File,

(accessed February 8, 2009).



"Nat Turner's Rebellion." African-American History Online. Facts On File,(accessed February 8, 2009).



Bisson, Terry. "'Nat Turner's Legacy'." Nat Turner, Black Americans of Achievement. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. African American History Online. Facts On File,

(accessed February 8, 2009).



February 9, 2009 3:48 PM



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