From the Henrico County, Virginia Tax Rolls, 1783 - for Thomas Prosser, Sr.
Gabriel and his older brother Martin are listed. Born in 1776, Gabriel would have been about 7 at the time.
Gabriel and his older brother Martin are listed. Born in 1776, Gabriel would have been about 7 at the time.
This is a truly astounding story. In August 1800 Richmond, Virginia, a literate, enslaved blacksmith secretly organized a massive slave uprising that involved thousands of the enslaved throughout Virginia. The plan was brilliant. It would have suddenly changed the entire course of American history -- if, on the night of the scheduled uprising, there hadn't been the most torrential downpour and thunderstorm anyone had ever experienced. Two of the enslaved told their slave owner of the plot, and he told Governor (later President) James Monroe. Monroe called out the militia, and two dozen conspirators were rounded up, quickly tried, and hanged at various locations for all to see.
--Except for the uprising's leader, Gabriel, who managed to elude capture for another 3 weeks, escaping to Norfolk with the help of a white river boat captain. Upon porting in Norfolk, two of the enslaved crew betrayed Gabriel to the authorities. He was brought back to Richmond, questioned by then governor James Monroe, tried, and hanged.
What's equally amazing is how most people have never even heard this true story, despite the ongoing efforts of a few community leaders to make the story known. This story needs to rise from being a footnote in history and provide the compelling inspiration for bringing about the change we all so desperately need.
--Except for the uprising's leader, Gabriel, who managed to elude capture for another 3 weeks, escaping to Norfolk with the help of a white river boat captain. Upon porting in Norfolk, two of the enslaved crew betrayed Gabriel to the authorities. He was brought back to Richmond, questioned by then governor James Monroe, tried, and hanged.
What's equally amazing is how most people have never even heard this true story, despite the ongoing efforts of a few community leaders to make the story known. This story needs to rise from being a footnote in history and provide the compelling inspiration for bringing about the change we all so desperately need.