First Slave Rebellion

Slave market

August 30 1800: The first large slave rebellion in America occurred near Richmond. As many as 1,000 slaves participated. The leaders were all executed.

A large scale slave uprising led by Gabriel Prossner and Jack Bowler was aborted due to betrayal and bad weather. The slaves who lived near Richmond had recruited up to 1000 fellow slaves to participate in the armed rebellion. After they were betrayed by two slaves, Governor Monroe declared martial law in Richmond and called out the militia. Prossner was captured, and he and 55 others were executed. John Randolph of Virginia, who interrogated Prosser, stated: "the accused have exhibited a spirit, which if it becomes general, must deluge the southern country in blood. They manifested a sense of their rights, and contempt of danger."