Quitman in Brooks County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Civil War Slave Conspiracy

Photographed By David Seibert, January 18, 2011

1. Civil War Slave Conspiracy Marker

Inscription. In August 1864, during the American Civil War, four men were executed in Brooks County, Georgia, for conspiring to plot a slave insurrection. The conspirators – led by a local white man, John Vickery, and three slaves named Nelson, George, and Sam – planned to seize weapons and take control of the town of Quitman, securing it for the U.S. Army in nearby Florida. Local authorities discovered the plot before it could be carried out. All four conspirators were convicted of insurrection and executed on August 22, 1864. Anti-Confederate activity such as this, along with food riots, draft evasion, and labor unrest, increased during the final year of the war.

Erected 2010 by Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for the Civil War 150 Commemoration. (Marker Number 14-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 30° 47.067′ N, 83° 33.6′ W. Marker is in Quitman, Georgia, in Brooks County. Marker is at the intersection of South Court Street (U.S. 221) and West Screven Street (U.S. 84), on the

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right when traveling south on South Court Street. The marker stands next to the Quitman City Hall, across Screven Street (US 84) from the Brooks County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Quitman GA 31643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brooks County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quitman Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Our Confederate Dead (about 300 feet away); Brooks County Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); Quitman United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); West End Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Old Coffee Road (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quitman.

Photographed By David Seibert, January 18, 2011

2. Civil War Slave Conspiracy Marker

Looking south on Court Street (US 221), with the Quitman City Hall on the right.

Photographed By David Seibert, January 18, 2011

3. Civil War Slave Conspiracy Marker

Looking north across West Screven Street (US 84) at the Brooks County Courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,089 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.