Compilation and Summary of Virginia State Papers Relating to Gabriel's Rebellion

September 11, 1800: Henrico

The Gabriel Insurrection.

At a court of Oyer and Terminer, called and held for the county of Henrico at the Courthouse, on Thursday the Eleventh Day of September, 1800, for the trial of Michael, alias Mike, a negro man slave the property of Judith Owen of the said county, charged with conspiracy and insurrection.

Present: Daniel Hylton, Miles Selden, Bowler Cocke, Hezekial Henley, Benjamin Goode, Pleasant Younghusband, and George Williamson , Gent. Justices.

The said negro man Michael alias Mike, was set to the Bar in custody, and being arraigned of the premises said he was in nowise guilty of the crime with which he stands accused, whereupon sundry witnesses being charged, sworn and examined, and the prisoner heard in his defence by James Rind, Gent., counsel assigned him by the court, on consideration whereof, it is the opinion of the court that the said Michael alias Mike, is guilty of the crime with which he stands charged, and for the same that he be hanged by the neck until he be dead, and that execution of this sentence be done and performed on him the said Michael alias Mike, on tomorrow, being the twelfth instant, at the usual place of execution. The court valued the slave at one hundred pounds.

The minutes of the foregoing trial and proceedings were signed by the above named justices.

A Copy—Teste:

Adam Craig, C.H.C.

Henrico County Court, on September 11th, sentences John, a negro man slave, the property of Mary Jones, of Hanover, to death on charge of conspiracy and insurrection, and orders that he be hung at the usual place of execution on the 12th inst.

Henrico County Court, on September 11th, sentences Solomon, a negro man slave, the property of Thomas H. Prosser, of Henrico, to death on charge of conspiracy and insurrection, and orders that he be hung on the 12th instant at the usual place of execution.

Henrico County Court, on September 11th, sentences Nat, a negro man slave, the property of Ann Parsons, of Henrico, to death on charge of conspiracy and insurrection, and orders that he be hung on the 12th instant at the usual place of execution.

Henrico County Court, on September 11th, sentences Isaac, a negro man slave, the property of Wm. Burton, of Henrico, to death on charge of conspiracy and insurrection, and orders that he be hung on the 12th instant at the usual place of execution.

Henrico County Court, on September 11th, sentences Will, a negro man slave, the property of John Mosby, Senior, of Henrico, to death on charge of conspiracy and insurrection, and orders that he be hung on the 12th instant at the usual place of execution.

Evidence Against the Negroes Tried September 11th.

Solomon's Case—Ben, the property of Thos. H. Prosser, deposed: That the prisoner at the bar made a number of swords for the purpose of carrying into execution the plan of an insurrection which was planned by Gabriel, a negro man, the property of said Prosser, and that the said Solomon was to be the Treasurer. In the first place, Mr. Prosser and Mr. Johnson were to be killed and their arms seized upon; then they were to resort and kill all the White Neighbours. This plan to be executed on the Saturday night on which there was such a great fall of rain. The place of the meeting was near Prosser's Blacksmith's shop in the woods. After murdering the inhabitants of the Neighbourhood, the assembly were to repair to Richmond and seize upon the Arms and Ammunition—to-wit, the Magazine. Gabriel was to command at commencement of the business. The swords made by the prisoner were to be distributed by s'd Gabriel; the swords have been making ever since last Harvest. 1,000 men was to be raised from Richmond, 600 from Ground Squirrel Bridge, and 400 from Goochland. Meetings were frequently held at William Young's under pretext of attending preachment, and at other times—viz., at Fish feast and at Barbacues, to concert the plan of Insurrection. The Rain which fell on Saturday night, the 30th August, prevented the carrying the said plan into Execution. Swords made by the prisoner were to be used by Horsemen, two hundred of whom were appointed, but it was expected there would be 400. Gabriel and Solomon, the prisoner, kept lists of the names of the conspirators; that he heard Lewis Barret spoken of as one of Town's Negroes concerned. That he in conversation with Jack Bowler, otherwise called Jack Ditcher, it appeared that two white Frenchmen was the first instigators of the Insurrection, but whose names he did not hear.

Pharoah, the property of Philip Sheppard, deposed: That the prisoner at the bar on Saturday, the 30th August, enquired of this deponent whether the light horse of Richmond were out, he being then from Richmond, who informed him that he had seen some at Col. Goodall's tavern. The prisoner remarked that the business of the insurrection had so far advanced that they were compelled, even if discovered, to go forward with it; that he had four swords then to finish, which he must complete by the time of the company meeting that evening, which would consist of 1,000 men, to wit: negroes.

Will's Case.—Ben, the property of T.H. Prosser, deposed: That the prisoner brought two scythe blades to Gabriel for the purpose of having them made into swords, and that four swords were made out of them by Solomon at request of Gabriel; that the said Will acknowledged in the presence of the deponent, in conversation with Gabriel, that he was concerned in the conspiracy and insurrection, and that he wanted the appointment of captain of the foot, but this being refused him, he was to act as horseman; that the whites were to be murdered and killed indiscriminately, except [?] none of whom were to be touched.

Toby, the property of John Holman, deposed: That the prisoner proposed to join and fight the whites; that he had joined, and had to carry two scythe blades to Solomon [sic] to be made into swords; he was determined to kill his master; that he had his master's sorrel horse set apart for him to act upon as a horseman; that there was to be a grand meeting of the negroes near Prosser's, from whence they were to proceed and take the town; that 5,000 blacks were to meet the prisoner at the bar, and that all the blacks who did not join would be put to death; that he intended to kill his master on Saturday night, the 30th August last; that the prisoner had an appointment as captain, but was turned out, being under size.

John's Case.—Daniel, property of John Williamson, deposed: That the deponent being at plough at home, the prisoner, who at that time worked at the penitentiary and was passing by, invited him to come to a great barbecue which was to be made by the negroes at Half Sink; and upon being informed that the purport of the barbecue was to concert measures for raising an insurrection and murdering and killing the whites and taking the country, of which he had no doubt, as Gabriel, and Solomon, and himself, being a captain, being at the head of the business; that the said John said he had a number of men at the Penitentiary, and was going up to Caroline, where he expected to raise several hundred; that they were to seize upon the arms at the penitentiary, and that all negroes who did not join in the insurrection would and should be put to death indiscriminately.

Charles, property of Wm. Winston, deposed: That about three weeks ago the prisoner gave this deponent an invite to a brabecue to be at Mr. Moore's school-house, which was made on a particular occasion, but was not made known to him, the deponent, which invitation this deponent refused to accept.

Isaac's Case.—Ben, the property of T.H. Prosser, deposed, that the prisoner informed him the deponent, that he had joined Prosser's Gabriel, in order to take Richmond and that he the prisoner, was one of the foot soldiers; that he was if possible to supply himself with a sword which if he could not do, Gabriel was to furnish him, and he the prisoner, was determined either to kill or be killed.

Dan'l, the property of Wm. Burton, deposed, that the prisoner informed the deponent, on Friday the 29th August last, that he the prisoner, had been informed by Nanny, wife to Gabriel, that 1000 men were to meet said Gabriel near Prosser's Tavern the ensuing night, and that he also was to be one of them, for the purpose of murdering the White Citizens; that the Governor had in some measure, got an alarm of this business, and had caused the arms which had been kept in the Capitol to be removed to the Penitentiary—that they should not mind the guards which were placed over the arms as they were determined to rush through them and take both them and the magazine—that he communicated this information to the overseer that an army of negroes were raising against the whites, with an injunction to the said overseer to keep the communication secret, the blacks were determined to kill every black who should not aid in, and join them in the insurrection. The prisoner was much intoxicated at the time of the conversation and information above.

Michael's Case.—Ben, the property of T.H. Prosser, deposed: That about a fortnight before time appointed for the insurrection, the prisoner being on his way to Richmond, employed Gabriel to make him a sword, which was to be used by him in fighting the whites under the command of Gabriel, as a foot soldier; that he called on the Saturday evening appointed for carrying the plot into execution, the prisoner applied at the house of Gabriel and obtained his sword, and promised to meet the Sunday night at the Tobacco house of Mr. Prosser, that being too rainy an evening for carrying their * * *

Pharoah, the property of Philip Sheppard, deposed: That in the week preceding the Saturday appointed for an insurrection, the prisoner informed him that Gabriel was to furnish him a sword, which he would call and get on Saturday evening ensuing; that he has joined the party.

Ned, the property of Judith Owen, deposed: That the prisoner informed him he had been requested by Gabriel to join him in an insurrection, which he had rejected, promising said Gabriel should he see the business progress well he would afterward join him.

William Gentry deposed: That he and Mr. Glenn being in pursuit of Gabriel and just on the return from said Gabriel's habitation, fell in with the prisoner, who they were about to take up when he fled into the woods; that being pursued by Mr. Glenn , was taken some time before the deponent arrived, and that Mr. Glenn informed him that a scythe blade made into the form of a sword was produced by the prisoner, with which he made battle against said Glenn, who had overcome the prisoner and had then the said sword in his possession.

Nat's Case.—Ben, the property of T.H. Prosser, deposed: That the prisoner had joined Gabriel to to fight the White people, and for that purpose purchased a sword from one William, belonging to Ben Mosby; that upon falling in with Gabriel and this deponent, he informed Gabriel that he had his sword, and left it at the warehouse; that he had a stick in his hand, and, flourishing it in his hand, observed that thus he would wield his sword. This was about three weeks previous to the time appointed for the commencement of the insurrection. That the said Gabriel and the prisoner agreed that the prisoner should bear the rank of captain, the said prisoner remarking that all the Warehouse boys had joined, and he would go on to get as many as he could until the appointed time.

Washington, belonging to Benj. Mosby, deposed: That he sold a sword to the prisoner, who informed him he wanted to stand Guard with it at the Warehouse, where he then lived and had the care of.

Bibliographic Information: H.W. Flournoy, comp. and ed., Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts from January 1, 1799 to December 31, 1807 Volume IX (Richmond:1890), pp. 140-174.