Boykins in Southampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Nat Turner's Insurrection

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 27, 2025

1. Nat Turner's Insurrection Marker

Inscription. On 21 Aug. 1831, enslaved preacher Nat Turner began an insurrection five miles west of here with a force that grew to about 60 men. They killed nearly 60 white people before the revolt was suppressed within two days. In retaliation, white residents and militias killed an indeterminable number of African Americans in Southampton County and beyond. Thirty-one black people were later convicted in court of supporting the revolt; 19 were hanged. Turner was captured on 30 Oct., tried and convicted, and hanged on 11 Nov. In 1832, responding to the nation's deadliest slave revolt, the Virginia General Assembly debated proposals for gradual emancipation but instead tightened laws governing black Virginians.

Erected 2021 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number U-122.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Law Enforcement • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 1831.

Location. 36° 37.142′ N, 77° 11.337′ W. Marker is in Boykins, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Meherrin

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Road (Virginia Route 35) south of Cross Keys Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29450 Meherrin Road, Boykins VA 23827, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dr. J.M. Bland (approx. 1.9 miles away); Thomaston (approx. 5½ miles away); a different marker also named "Thomaston" (approx. 5½ miles away); Nottoway Indian History (approx. 6.1 miles away); From Barter… To Buffer… (approx. 6.1 miles away); 1705 Nottoway Reservation (approx. 6.1 miles away); Dred Scott And The Blow Family (approx. 6.7 miles away); Buckhorn Quarters (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boykins.

Other markers no longer nearby. Nat Turner’s Insurrection (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Blackhead Signpost Road (was approx. 6.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 27, 2025

2. Nat Turner's Insurrection Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.