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

Nat Turner's Grave

'Burial Place of the Condemned'

— Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection —

Nat Turner's Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 27, 2025

1. Nat Turner's Grave Marker

Inscription.

Nat Turner's Grave. 'Burial Place of the Condemned'. , Two newspapers reported that Deputy Sheriff Edward Butts executed Turner at either high noon or one o'clock p.m. on November 11, 1831. Most sources agree that a large crowd gathered on the day of the execution. Yet only a few were permitted to witness close at hand the last moments Nat Turner's life., The Execution , The Petersburg Intelligencer reported that Turner "exhibited the most utmost composure throughout the whole ceremony; and although assured that he might, if he thought proper, address the immense crowd assembled on the occasion, declined, availing himself of the privilege, and told the Sheriff in a firm voice, that he was ready. Not a limb or muscle was observed to move.", Nat Turner's Remain , After Turner was hanged and pronounced dead, his remains were turned over to surgeons to illegally dissected and decapitated him. A doctor from Norfolk, Virginia, kept his skull. The July 21, 1860, edition of the New York Times included news from the Petersburg (VA) Express of July 17th: "Mr. William Mallory, an old citizen of Southampton County, died a few days ago… Mr. Mallory was 80 years of age and figured in the suppression of the Southampton massacre. He was the identical "Buck Mallory" who skinned Nat Turner, the leader of the rebellion, and the hide having been tanned, portions of it are now extant in the "curiosity shops" of many residents in and about Southampton.", In 1920, John W. Cromwell wrote in the Journal of Negro History, "Turner was skinned to supply such souvenirs as purses, his flesh made into grease, and his bones divided as trophies to be handed down as heirlooms." What was left of his body was buried in Jerusalem's "burial place of the condemned" without any ceremony or benefit of clergy. Nat Turner's remains purportedly lie buried near where you stand today., [Caption:] , "Nat Turner," ca. 1945. Painting by William H. Johnson, one of our nation's foremost African American artists and a major figure in 20th-century American art.

Two newspapers reported that Deputy Sheriff Edward Butts executed Turner at either high noon or one o'clock p.m. on November 11, 1831. Most sources agree that a large crowd gathered on the day of the execution. Yet only a few were permitted to witness close at hand the last moments Nat Turner's life.

The Execution
The Petersburg Intelligencer reported that Turner "exhibited the most utmost composure throughout the whole ceremony; and although assured that he might, if he thought proper, address the immense crowd assembled on the occasion, declined, availing himself of the privilege, and told the Sheriff in a firm voice, that he was ready. Not a limb or muscle was observed to move."

Nat Turner's Remain
After Turner was hanged and pronounced dead, his remains were turned over to surgeons to illegally dissected and decapitated him. A doctor from Norfolk, Virginia, kept his skull. The July 21, 1860, edition of the New York Times included news from the Petersburg (VA) Express of July 17th: "Mr. William Mallory, an old citizen of Southampton County, died a few days ago… Mr. Mallory was 80 years of age and figured in

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the suppression of the Southampton massacre. He was the identical "Buck Mallory" who skinned Nat Turner, the leader of the rebellion, and the hide having been tanned, portions of it are now extant in the "curiosity shops" of many residents in and about Southampton."

In 1920, John W. Cromwell wrote in the Journal of Negro History, "Turner was skinned to supply such souvenirs as purses, his flesh made into grease, and his bones divided as trophies to be handed down as heirlooms." What was left of his body was buried in Jerusalem's "burial place of the condemned" without any ceremony or benefit of clergy. Nat Turner's remains purportedly lie buried near where you stand today.

[Caption:]
"Nat Turner," ca. 1945. Painting by William H. Johnson, one of our nation's foremost African American artists and a major figure in 20th-century American art.

Erected by Nat Turner Insurrection Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection

Three markers along Bride Street image. Click for full size.

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

2. Three markers along Bride Street

series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1860.

Location. 36° 43.01′ N, 77° 4.01′ W. Marker is in Courtland, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Bride Street east of Alley Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25509 Bride St, Courtland VA 23837, 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 walking distance of this marker: Place of Execution (here, next to this marker); The 1831 Insurrection (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Hospital at Jerusalem, Virginia (about 500 feet away,

"Burial Place of the Condemned" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

3. "Burial Place of the Condemned"

This overgrown plot (directly behind the reader, if facing the associated marker) is thought to be the mass burial area for paupers and criminals, and the presence of burials here has been confirmed by ground-penetrating radar. This is the burial area referred to on the marker where Nat Turner was prospectively buried.

measured in a direct line); Texas Confederate Soldiers (about 700 feet away); Mahone’s Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mahone's Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vaughan's Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southampton County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Courtland.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.