After Nat Turner: State Terror Kills 200+ Innocent Black Virginians

Nat Turner's rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia (August 21–22, 1831) killed approximately 55–65 white people — the deadliest slave uprising in U.S. history. Turner led a group of enslaved people from farm to farm over two days before militia suppressed the revolt. Turner was captured October 30, tried, and hanged November 11. But the white response was catastrophic for innocent Black Virginians: militia and mobs killed an estimated 100–200 enslaved and free Black people in the days following — people with no connection to the uprising. Heads were placed on poles as warnings. Virginia then debated (and rejected) gradual emancipation, instead passing sweeping new repression laws.