Gabriel Prosser Rebellion
This revolt, although not executed, was notable for the scale of violence and chaos that could have occurred if it had taken place.
Gabriel, born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1776, planned what would have been one of the most significant slave revolts in history if it had been carried out. While numerous other revolts took place, this one confronted the American revolutionary leaders on their hypocrisy in fighting for independence while accommodating slavery.
Gabriel and his two brothers were born into slavery. He trained as a blacksmith and a carpenter. He was literate, one of the very few enslaved people that could read and write.
While Richmond was a slave town with community whipping posts where enslavers dolled out punishments on enslaved people in a public square, it had more blacks than whites.
For Gabriel, who lived in Virginia in the late 18th century, he was easily influenced by the prevalent talk of liberty due to the French, American and Haitian revolutions and the fact that many enslaved people were being freed by their owners.
And so, during the spring and summer of 1800, he began to plot a revolution to end slavery in Virginia. He and his brothers and other slave blacksmiths made numerous weapons to hold Governor James Monroe hostage till they negotiated their freedom.
However, on the planned day of the insurrection, August 30, 1800, two enslaved people who wanted to save their master exposed George’s plans. Their master then told the governor, who got the military involved. While this was happening, heavy rain was falling, which delayed the march and provided the military with enough time to prepare.
The military began picking conspirators and George, on hearing about it, escaped to Norfolk, where another enslaved person betrayed him. When he was returned to Richmond for questioning, he did not submit, and the trial was held by five justices in court.
During this time, a recruit testified about Patrick Henry’s Give me liberty, or give me death! speech of 1775, George intended to write “death or liberty” on a silk flag.
One of the enslaved people allegedly said, “I have nothing more to offer than what General Washington would have had to offer, had he been taken by the British and put to trial.” Following this, Gabriel, his brothers and 23 other enslaved people were hanged.
