Historians weigh different kinds of evidence to reconstruct the past. Documents are one type of evidence. The fact that a document exists doesn’t mean that its contents are all true. Historians must decide how reliable and factual a particular document is.

This essay presents several documents on two famous slave rebellions in the United States. Read the documents carefully and then answer the questions in the Enrichment Activity at the end of the essay.

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Documents Related to the Denmark Vesey Rebellion

In 1822, Denmark Vesey was tried and convicted of planning a slave revolt in and around Charleston, South Carolina. A prosperous free black, Vesey was married to a slave woman. He was turned in before the revolt could be carried out. Here are two documents about Denmark Vesey.

Document 1: A Magazine Article

An article from the Atlantic Monthly, June 1861, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Denmark Vesey had come very near figuring as a revolutionist in Hayti [Haiti], instead of South Carolina. Captain Vesey, an old resident of Charleston, commanded a ship that traded between St. Thomas and Cape Français, during our Revolutionary War, in the slave-transportation line. In the year 1781 he took on board a cargo of three hundred and ninety slaves, and sailed for the Cape. On the passage, he and his officers were much attracted by the beauty and intelligence of a boy of fourteen, whom they unanimously adopted into the cabin as a pet. They gave him new clothes and a new name, Télémaque, which was afterwards gradually corrupted into Telmak and Denmark. They amused themselves with him until their arrival at Cape Français, and then, “having no use for the boy,” sold their pet as if he had been a macaw or a monkey. Captain Vesey sailed for St. Thomas, and presently making another trip to Cape Français, was surprised to hear from his consignee [the person receiving the delivery] that Télémaque would be returned on his hands as being “unsound,”—not in theology nor in morals, but in body,—subject to epileptic fits, in fact. According to the custom of that place, the boy was examined by the city physician, who required Captain Vesey to take him back; and Denmark served him faithfully, with no trouble from epilepsy, for twenty years, travelling all over the world with him, and learning to speak various languages. In 1800, he drew a prize of fifteen hundred dollars in the East Bay Street Lottery, with which he bought his freedom from his master for six hundred dollars,—much less than his market value.

From that time, the official report says, he worked as a carpenter in Charleston, distinguished for physical strength and energy. “Among those of his color he was looked up to with awe and respect. His temper was impetuous and domineering in the extreme, qualifying him for the despotic rule of which he was ambitious. All his passions were ungovernable and savage; and to his numerous wives and children he displayed the haughty and capricious cruelty of an Eastern bashaw [pasha, a Turkish official].

“For several years before he disclosed his intentions to any one, he appears to have been constantly and assiduously engaged in endeavoring to embitter the minds of the colored population against the white.” He rendered himself perfectly familiar with all those parts of the Scriptures which he thought he could pervert to his purpose; and would readily quote them, to prove that slavery was contrary to the laws of God—that slaves were bound to attempt their emancipation, however shocking and bloody might be the consequences—and that such efforts would not only be pleasing to the Almighty, but were absolutely enjoined [demanded] and their success predicted in the Scriptures…. One witness testified that Vesey had read to him from the Bible about the deliverance of the Children of Israel…

“It is difficult to imagine,” says the sentence finally passed on Denmark Vesey [by the judge in the case], “what infatuation could have prompted you to attempt an enterprise so wild and visionary. You were a free man, comely [good-looking], wealthy, and enjoyed every comfort compatible with your situation. You had, therefore, much to risk and little to gain.” Is slavery, then, a thing so intrinsically detestable, that a man thus favored will engage in a plan thus desperate merely to rescue his children from it?

Source: Thomas Wentworth Higginson, “Denmark Vesey,” The Atlantic Monthly, volume 7, number 44 (June 1861), pages 728–744.

Document 2: A Report

Negro Plot: An Account of the Late Intended Insurrection Among a Portion of the Blacks of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, by James Hamilton

On Thursday, the 30th of May last, about three o’clock in the afternoon, the intendant [an official] of Charleston was informed by a gentleman of great respectability… that a favourite and confidential slave of his had communicated to him, on his arrival in town, a conversation which had taken place at the market on the Saturday preceding, between himself and a black man; which afforded strong reasons for believing that a revolt and insurrection were in contemplation among a proportion at least of our black population. The corporation [a group of city officials] was forthwith summoned to meet at 5 o’clock, for the purpose of hearing the narrative of the slave who had given this information to his master.… “On Saturday afternoon last (my master being out of town) I went to market; after finishing my business, I strolled down the wharf below the fish-market, from which I observed a small vessel in the stream with a singular flag; whilst looking at this object, a black man (Mr. Paul’s William) came up to me and remarking the subject which engaged my attention, said, I have often seen a flag with the number 76 on it, but never with 96, before. After some trifling [insignificant] conversation on this point, he remarked with considerable earnestness to me, Do you know something serious is about to take place? To which I replied, No. Well, said he, there is, and many of us are determined to right ourselves! I asked him to explain himself; when he remarked, why, we are determined to shake off our bondage.

Source: James Hamilton, Negro Plot: An Account of the Late Intended Insurrection Among a Portion of the Blacks of the City of Charleston, South Carolina (published in Boston by Joseph W. Ingraham, 1822).

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Documents Related to the Nat Turner Rebellion

In 1831, Nat Turner led the most famous slave revolt in American history. Turner was a slave in Southampton County, Virginia. He and his recruits killed nearly 60 whites before the revolt was put down.

Document 3: A Newspaper Report

The Richmond Enquirer Reports on Nat Turner’s Rebellion

Richmond, Virginia
August 30, 1831

So much curiosity has been excited in the state, and so much exaggeration will go abroad, that we have determined to devote a great portion of this day’s paper to the strange events in the county of Southampton.... What strikes us as the most remarkable thing in this matter is the horrible ferocity of these monsters. They remind one of a parcel of blood-thirsty wolves rushing down from the Alps; or rather like a former incursion of the Indians upon the white settlements. Nothing is spared; neither age nor sex is respected—the helplessness of women and children pleads in vain for mercy. The danger is thought to be over, but prudence still demands precaution. The lower country should be on the alert. The case of Nat Turner warns us. No black man ought to be permitted to turn a Preacher through the country. The law must be enforced or the tragedy of Southampton appeals to us in vain.…

A fact or two, before we continue our narrative. These wretches are now estimated to have committed sixty-one murders! Not a white person escaped at all the houses they visited except two. One was a little child at Mrs. Waller’s, about 7 or 8 years of age, who had sagacity [intelligence] enough to Creep up a chimney.

Source: Henry Irving Tragle, The Southampton Slave Revolt of 1831: A Compilation of Source Material (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1971).

Document 4: A Government Proclamation

Proclamation by John Floyd, Governor of Virginia, September 17, 1831

Whereas the slave Nat, otherwise called Nat Turner, the contriver and leader of the late Insurrection in Southampton, is still going at large: Therefore I, John Floyd, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia have thought proper, and do hereby offer a reward of five hundred dollars to any person or persons who will apprehend [seize] and convey to the Jail of Southampton County, the said slave Nat: and I do moreover require all officers civil and military, and exhort the good people of the Commonwealth to use their best endeavors to cause the said fugitive to be apprehended, that he may be dealt with as the law directs.

Given under my hand as Governor, and under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth at Richmond, this 17th. day of Septemr: 1831.

John Floyd

Source: State Library of Virginia.

Document 5: A Letter

A Description of Nat Turner

Nat is between 30 & 35 years old, 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, weighs between 150 and 160 lbs. rather bright complexion but not a mulatto [having one white and one black parent]—broad shouldered—large flat nose—large eyes—broad flat feet—rather knock-kneed—walks brisk and active—hair on the top of the head very thin—no beard except on the upper lip, and the tip of the chin—a scar on one of his temples produced by the kick of a mule—also one on the back of his neck by a bite—a large knot on one of the bones of his right arm, near the wrist, produced by a blow.

Source: Governor’s Office, Letters Received, John Floyd, Record Group 3, Library of Virginia.

Document 6: Trial Document

Statement of Nat Turner to His Attorney, November 1831

And about this time I had a vision—and I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened—the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams—and I heard a voice saying, “Such is your luck, such you are called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bear it.”… Shortly afterwards, while labouring in the field, I discovered drops of blood on the corn, as though it were dew from heaven—and I communicated it to many, both white and black, in the neighbourhood—and I then found on the leaves in the woods hieroglyphic characters and numbers, with the forms of men in different attitudes, portrayed in blood, and representing the figures I had seen before in the heavens. And now the Holy Ghost had revealed itself to me, and made plain the miracles it had shown me—For as the blood of Christ had been shed on this earth, and had ascended to heaven for the salvation of sinners, and was now returning to earth again….

After this I rejoiced greatly, and gave thanks to God. And on the 12th of May, 1828, I heard a loud noise in the heavens, and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had laid down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and that I should take it on and fight against the Serpent, for the time was fast approaching, when the first should be last and the last should be first.

Source: The Confessions of Nat Turner (published in Baltimore, Maryland, 1831).

Document 7: A Letter to a Government Official

“Citizens” to Governor John Floyd, August 28, 1831

Richmond Aug. 28, 31.

To: His Excellency John Floyd, Governor of Virginia
Sir
There is at this moment a numerous meeting of the blacks from this place & the surrounding country, at the Rural Shades, for the purpose, as they allege, of Religious worship, the propriety of countenancing [allowing] such a meeting at this time is respectfully submitted to your consideration by several
Citizens
Source: Governor’s Office, Letters Received, John Floyd, Record Group 3, Library of Virginia.

Document 8: A Public Document

Resolutions of Inhabitants of Chesterfield County, Virginia, circa autumn 1861

We the inhabitants of the upper end of Chesterfield County having amongst us an enemy that is restless in their disposition; and savage in their nature; and feeling alarmed at the fate of the Females and children of Southhampton, and not knownig how soon a like Tradegy may take place amongst us. We therefore enter into the following resolutions. Viz.

Resolution the 1st: We resolve that if any attempt should be made; that we will as soon thereafter as possible remove our Families to the Following places.; Viz. To the House of William L. Overton. John Spear. and John Bass.

Resolution the 2th: We also resolve that we will petition the Governer of the State for a Sufficiency of arms and ammunition to arm the men in the Neighbourhood—say probably five Muskets.

Resolution the 3rd: We resolve also that we will keep a strict patrole and we all agree that we will each bear his part of fatiegue.

Resolution the 4th: We also resolve that William Goode and William L. Overton be appointed to wait on the Governor for the purpose of Stating the Situation of the Neighbourhood, and request the arms &c. as before named, and we also agree to be equally bound with them for the return of the said arms.

Source: Governor’s Office, Letters Received, John Floyd, Record Group 3, Library of Virginia.

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Enrichment Activity

For each document in this essay, answer these questions:

1.	Who might have written the document?
2.	What kind of document is it? What is its purpose?
3.	What can you learn from the document about the Vesey or Turner slave revolt and its historical significance? Record at least one piece of information that is highly relevant. (Information is relevant if it helps you answer the question). Do not record information that is irrelevant. (Details are irrelevant if they do not help you answer the question.)
4.	Something can be written or published and not be factual. There might be errors or falsehoods in any document. What kind of information would you need to verify that the evidence in the document is true? Is it likely that this information is available? Or are key statements in the document unverifiable (that is, they cannot be checked against other evidence)?