The others of the one hundred and thirty-one were acquitted.  The authorities at length felt that they had executed enough to teach the Negroes a lesson, and the hanging ceased; but within the next year or two Governor Bennett and others gave to the world most gloomy reflections upon the whole proceeding and upon the grave problem at their door.  Thus closed the insurrection that for the ambitiousness of its plan, the care with which it was matured, and the faithfulness of the leaders to one another, was never equalled by a similar attempt for freedom in the United States.

[Footnote 1:  The figure is sometimes given as 37, but the lists total 43.]

2.  Nat Turner’s Insurrection

About noon on Sunday, August 21, 1831, on the plantation of Joseph Travis at Cross Keys, in Southampton County, in Southeastern Virginia, were gathered four Negroes, Henry Porter, Hark Travis, Nelson Williams, and Sam Francis, evidently preparing for a barbecue.  They were soon joined by a gigantic and athletic Negro named Will Francis, and by another named Jack Reese.  Two hours later came a short, strong-looking man who had a face of great resolution and at whom one would not have needed to glance a second time to know that he was to be the master-spirit of the company.  Seeing Will and his companion he raised a question as to their being present, to which Will replied that life was worth no more to him than the others and that liberty was as dear to him.  This answer satisfied the latest comer, and Nat Turner now went into conference with his most trusted friends.  One can only imagine the purpose, the eagerness, and the firmness on those dark faces throughout that long summer afternoon and evening.  When at last in the night the low whispering ceased, the doom of nearly three-score white persons—­and it might be added, of twice as many Negroes—­was sealed.

Cross Keys was seventy miles from Norfolk, just about as far from Richmond, twenty-five miles from the Dismal Swamp, fifteen miles from Murfreesboro in North Carolina, and also fifteen miles from Jerusalem, the county seat of Southampton County.  The community was settled primarily by white people of modest means.  Joseph Travis, the owner of Nat Turner, had recently married the widow of one Putnam Moore.

Nat Turner, who originally belonged to one Benjamin Turner, was born October 2, 1800.  He was mentally precocious and had marks on his head and breast which were interpreted by the Negroes who knew him as marking him for some high calling.  In his mature years he also had on his right arm a knot which was the result of a blow which he had received.  He experimented in paper, gunpowder, and pottery, and it is recorded of him that he was never known to swear an oath, to drink a drop of spirits, or to commit a theft.  Instead he cultivated fasting and prayer and the reading of the Bible.