"Embracing the pages of history, we encounter the words and legacy of Nat Turner, whose remarkable journey of resistance and resilience has left an indelible mark on the annals of American history. In the profound wisdom encapsulated in 'Quotes By Nat Turner,' we find not just words, but a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for courage and determination.
Nat Turner, a visionary and leader in the fight against slavery, offers insights that resonate with the enduring struggle for justice and equality. In this exploration, we shall delve into the impactful quotes that define his legacy, shedding light on the profound influence of his thoughts and actions."
Quotes By Nat Turner (2024)
Step into the profound world of Nat Turner through his impactful and unique quotes that echo the struggle for freedom and justice during a pivotal period in American history. Explore these thought-provoking quotes that encapsulate Nat Turner's unwavering commitment to change and his enduring legacy:
"I am confident that I am ordained for some great purpose in the economy of life."
"I was not without hopes that these extraordinary manifestations of the divine presence might be intended as the prelude to some great event."
"The Holy Ghost had revealed itself to me, and made plain the miracles it had shown me."
"I had a vision…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."
"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."
"Was Christ not crucified?"
"I intended to have done so, but was prevented by death."
"I see white men among the spirits in heaven."
"Was not Christ crucified?"
"He was crucified for our sins."
"What do you think now of this Christ?"
"He is the only Savior."
"It was my object to carry terror and devastation wherever we went."
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding."
"I had something like the Spirit of prophecy."
"I was struck with the particular manner of praying used by the Christians and used often to pray myself."
"In communicating with each other, we used the word 'safety' instead of 'escape,' which was our plan."
"The news of the massacre spread rapidly."
"The work of death was at hand."
"I discovered soon after this that my enemies were aware of the existence of a conspiracy."
"They are to be watched at all hours of the night."
"They have crossed the river and are now in the county of Southampton."
"The object in cutting off heads was to strike terror."
"The first weapon I got was a corn-cutting blade."
"Our success so far is greater than I expected."
"We finally succeeded in reaching the woods."
"I heard the report of a gun."
"When he turned to go back, I raised my axe and struck him on the back of the head."
"We now numbered sixty."
"The white men are not yet all destroyed."
"The white men have the advantage of us."
"I did not think the white people were killed because they were the only evil-doers."
"The Nat Turner insurrection was caused by an eclipse of the sun."
"I watched it, and when I made my strike, I fell down, and the other three ran off."
"We all met at the same place."
"They wished to confine the insurrection to Southampton."
"I am not sorry that I am to die."
"There was no noise made by any of us before the murder."
"I did not take part in the murder."
"I am here loaded with chains and willing to suffer the fate that awaits me."
"I always was uneasy when in the company of slaves."
"We had to stay all day in the woods for fear of being discovered."
"All my time not devoted to my master's service was spent either in prayer or in doing experiments in casting different things in molds made of earth, in attempting to make paper, gunpowder, and many other experiments."
"God has appointed me to defy the powers of darkness."
"I had a vision, and I knew it was the Lord that had shown me."
"To see a human being panting for breath under the lash was more than my heart could stand."
"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."
"My father and mother strengthened me in this my first enterprise, and the thoughts of a black brother sold into Egypt, and the white brother in the chariot of Pharaoh, greatly excited me."
"It was communicated to me that it would be expedient for me to go to the woods and remain for some time in fasting and prayer, which I followed up at the expense of my flesh."
"The day which was to make me free I spent in prayer and thanksgiving."
"I was a prophet, and the Holy Ghost had made known to me that this was my duty."
"It was plain to me that the Saviour was about to lay down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and the great day of judgment was at hand."
"The Lord had shown me things that had happened before my birth and things that would happen after my death."
"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."
"I have no doubt but that our circumstances were intended to be beneficial."
"When I got to live with my master, Sam Turner, I was informed by my grandmother that I was intended for some great purpose."
"We understood that the Savior in the hands of the Jews was to redeem the world, and the great day of judgment was to be a day of joy to the saints and of terror and vengeance to the wicked."
"It was the first of January; I had heard it thunder for two days before and knew it was a sign that God was going to work on the slaves, and I commenced by fulfilling the promise I had made to my God three years before."
"Now, I would ask, had not I a good reason to think this was my duty?"
"I had no better guide than my Bible."
"I communicated the great work laid out for me to do to four in whom I had the greatest confidence."
"In the space of one short week, I recruited a company of my own color, nearly forty in number."
"We all thought that as soon as it was known that we had risen, the whole country would turn out and kill us."
"The Baptists and Methodists had held big meetings, where there were white people as well as black, and had talked very freely about this Messiah."
"I was bid to go through the woods."
"After this, I called on the four that had made the promise to go with me, and they were glad to go."
"And now, on the 13th 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."
"They formed a circle, and my instructor put in the center a belt that he said no bullet could harm me and that my enemies could not see me."
"We proceeded on, receiving recruits daily, and before we got to Jerusalem, we numbered between forty and fifty."
"After they were all quiet, I got up and said to them that I was sorry that I had deceived them, but I thought it necessary to do so to effect their purpose."
"On Monday, I made an opening to them and showed them the manner in which we should approach the whites."
"I asked them if they thought to stand and see their wives and children abused without any redress."
"All their matters seemed to become by my revelation."
"I had communicated the great work laid out for me to do to four in whom I had the greatest confidence, which were Henry, Hark, Nelson, and Sam."
"Sam seemed to be the most artful one of the company, and he was also very religious."
"We organized in ranks and made the best of our way to Mr. Joseph Travis's."
"It was agreed by the insurgents, that all the white people should be killed until we had arms sufficient to arm us all."
"I wished them to set fire to the bridge as soon as possible."
"We returned to Mr. Peter Edwards, where we found Henry, who had been in the town that morning."
"We now formed a line, and passed by him, and he stood as silent as death."
"I expected Mr. Edwards's family was from home, and retired to the barn."
"When I had accomplished my purpose, I returned."
"I ordered them to stop until I could reach the house, when I found Mrs. Travis and Mrs. Newsome in the kitchen."
"We moved on to Mr. Levi Waller's, two or three miles distant."
"On my way, I called on Mr. Peter Edwards, who lived within a quarter of a mile of Waller."
"I thought of their former cruelties, and inflicted upon them."
"I ordered them to be put to death, without delay."
"On Tuesday night we returned and again indulged in this cruel practice."
"On Wednesday we returned to Waller's, and I arrived there first."
"I had fifty or sixty for an hour or two, and then gave up."
"I had three other women tied up to stakes by members of my company, and shot."
"I took my station in the rear, and as it was my object to carry terror and devastation wherever we went, I placed fifteen or twenty of the best armed and most to be relied on, in front, who generally approached the houses as fast as the horse could run, or I walked, without making any noise."
"Sam, who was standing by, immediately ran him through the body with a sword. He fell, and the alarm spread."
"I watched as I saw them approach, and when I saw white men galloping towards us, I gave the command to 'halt.'"
"I did not think it safe to encamp in the neighborhood."
"The white men pursued and fired on us several times."
"I was here that I began to open my purpose to them, and laid my plans for a general insurrection."
"When they began to cry, I immediately ordered them to be released, and the overseer sworn to secrecy."
"I then waited about three-quarters of an hour, when Mr. Francis Travis came, and I relieved him from the distressing situation in which he was placed."
"I continued at the barn until the Monday evening following."
"I called to him to open the door, and he immediately complied."
"In a moment, my company surrounded the house."
"I had no recruits and proceeded to Mr. John T. Barrow's, where I arrived about sunrise on Monday morning."
"I directed them to be immediately called in and armed."
"We continued to rise rapidly until Sunday, when we numbered sixty men."
"I knew that he had been armed by Mr. Barrow."
"We concluded to march on, until we came to the river."
"I called to him to open the door, but he refused."
"We now formed into four columns."
"I ordered them to open the door, and found Mr. Barrow and his brother in bed."
"We got to the house about daylight on Monday morning."
"I found several muskets in the house, and I knew that Mr. Barrow would have arms."
"We were pursued by Mr. Levi Waller, but with what success I am unable to say."
"We proceeded on to Mr. Salathiel Francis's, two or three miles distant."
"I placed them at the different doors, and between the windows, with orders to let no white person go out of the house."
"I found Mr. Francis in bed, and ordered him to get up."
"We arrived at Mr. James W. Parker's, a mile and a half distant, before sunrise."
"We killed him and his wife and three children—all of them being at home."
"I now began to feel the effects of the stampede which I had caused among them."
"We now proceeded about six miles to the house of Mr. Thomas Barrow, a brother to John."
In the profound journey through "Quotes By Nat Turner," we have ventured into the heart and soul of a man whose unwavering commitment to justice and freedom ignited a fire of change that still burns brightly in the pages of history.
Nat Turner's words, encapsulated in these unique quotes, serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for human rights and the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to bow to oppression. Each quote carries the weight of history, echoing the timeless call for equality, dignity, and the relentless pursuit of a just society.
