Nat Turner Slave Revolt

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Nat Turner’s Slave Revolt Nat Turner was an enslaved African American who was from Southampton County, Virginia. He was considered to be highly intelligent and could read and write at a very young age. He was considered to be greatly religious, and his religion was the center of his life and his existence. He was often seen fasting and praying with his Bible on hand. He was usually immersed in readings from his Bible and conducted Baptist services to other fellow slaves, whom deemed him “The Prophet”. He frequently spoke of visions, in which he interpreted messages from God. These visions greatly influenced his life, and have been the primary basis for the carrying out of his revolt. A newspaper uses this description of Nat after his rebellion: “He was artful, independent, and vindictive, without any cause or provocation that could be assigned” As previously noted, Nat was frequently visited by visions of God as a type of road map for his life. Nat ran away from his owner once, but returned a month later because he was starved and suffering from dehydration. He was also very delirious, stating that he had received a vision from God stating to him …”return to the service of my earthly master”. While working the fields under his new owner, Thomas Moore, he was said to have received his second vision. During this vision it was said by Nat: “the savior was about to lay down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and the great Day of Judgment was at hand”. Turner was noted as having a strong, spiritual influence over white people. He was convinced that he “was ordained for some great purpose in the hands of the Almighty”. As time went on, his visions became more violent and spoke about harming others in the name of God. On May 12, Turner “heard a loud noise in the heavens, and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had
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