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

Place of Execution

Where Nat Turner Died

— Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection —

Place of Execution Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. Place of Execution Marker

Inscription.

Place of Execution. Where Nat Turner Died. , Near where you are standing today once stood the so-called "Hanging Tree," Southampton County's "usual place of execution" for criminals, both White and Black. Nat Turner was hanged here on November 11, 1831. The executioner was Edward Butts, deputy sheriff., The Value of a Man , Butts wrote a certification that he had carried out the court's sentence so that the estate of Putnam Moore. Nat Turner's enslaver, killed during the insurrection, could be reimbursed $375, the stated value of Turner. The Commonwealth of Virginia compensated owners of their estates for the loss of property , the enslaved persons , who were either executed or transported., Virginia's New Slave Laws, 1832 , The 1831 Southampton Insurrection was one of the last major slave revolts before the Civil War. Governor John Floyd called the Virginia General Assembly into session in January 1832. The causes, events, and results of Nat Turner's Rebellion were discussed, and several bills concerning general manumission of the sale and deportation of all chattel property were debated. None of these concepts proved to be successful., Virginia's first slave law was passed in 1682. New laws were legislated in 1832 and were more stringent and diligently enforced. They addressed prohibiting the movement, assembly, and education of all bondsmen; restricting their travel rights; outlawing possession of weapons; forbidding the sale of alcohol; prohibiting an enslaved person from lifting a hand against a White person, even in self-defense; restricting holding religious meetings without a licensed White minister present; and establishing harsher punishments for freedom seekers. These laws also limited free Blacks' freedom., [Captions:] , Certificate of Execution of Nat Turner signed by Edward Butts., Woodcut image from the American Anti-Slavery Society's 1837 broadside publication of John Greenleaf Whittier's antislavery poem, "Our Countrymen in Chains." A quote at the bottom of the sheet reads: "England has 800,000 Salves and he has made them free. America has 2,250,000! and she holds them fast!!!" The design was originally the seal of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery in England in the 1780s and appeared on the society's medallions made by Josiah Wedgwood, ca. 1787., The Hanging Tree

Near where you are standing today once stood the so-called "Hanging Tree," Southampton County's "usual place of execution" for criminals, both White and Black. Nat Turner was hanged here on November 11, 1831. The executioner was Edward Butts, deputy sheriff.

The Value of a Man
Butts wrote a certification that he had carried out the court's sentence so that the estate of Putnam Moore. Nat Turner's enslaver, killed during the insurrection, could be reimbursed $375, the stated value of Turner. The Commonwealth of Virginia compensated owners of their estates for the loss of property — the enslaved persons — who were either executed or transported.

Virginia's New Slave Laws, 1832
The 1831 Southampton Insurrection was one of the last major slave revolts before the Civil War. Governor John Floyd called the Virginia General Assembly into session in January 1832. The causes, events, and results of Nat Turner's Rebellion were discussed, and several bills concerning general manumission of the sale and deportation of all chattel property were debated. None of these concepts proved to be successful.

Virginia's first slave law was passed in 1682. New laws were legislated in 1832 and were more stringent and diligently enforced. They addressed prohibiting the movement, assembly, and education

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of all bondsmen; restricting their travel rights; outlawing possession of weapons; forbidding the sale of alcohol; prohibiting an enslaved person from lifting a hand against a White person, even in self-defense; restricting holding religious meetings without a licensed White minister present; and establishing harsher punishments for freedom seekers. These laws also limited free Blacks' freedom.

[Captions:]
Certificate of Execution of Nat Turner signed by Edward Butts.

Woodcut image from the American Anti-Slavery Society's 1837 broadside publication of John Greenleaf Whittier's antislavery poem, "Our Countrymen in Chains." A quote at the bottom of the sheet reads: "England has 800,000 Salves and he has made them free. America has 2,250,000! and she holds them fast!!!" The design was originally the seal of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery in England in the 1780s and appeared on the society's medallions made by Josiah Wedgwood, ca. 1787.

The Hanging Tree

Erected by Nat Turner Insurrection Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Government & Politics

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

• Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1831.

Location. 36° 43.01′ N, 77° 4.012′ 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: Nat Turner's Grave (here, next to this marker); The 1831 Insurrection (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Hospital at Jerusalem, Virginia (about 500 feet away, 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.

Hanging Tree Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

3. Hanging Tree Site

Ground Penetrating Radar confirmed that the hanging tree once stood here, the small tree in the foreground having been planted in its place in recent years after radar confirmed the site. The house was built in 1926 and is unrelated to Nat Turner's execution; the site's notability comes solely from the tree that used to stand here in the yard.

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 92 times since then and 59 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.