In the summer of 1800, a literate and highly skilled blacksmith named Gabriel (enslaved by Thomas Prosser) planned a slave uprising that sought to seize the city of Richmond and perhaps end slavery in the state of Virginia.
The revolt failed and Gabriel was hanged at the city gallows, located just below where present-day 95N crosses Broad Street at the site of the African Burial Ground; 25 of his conspirators were also hanged. The event resulted in increased restrictions on both free blacks and the enslaved in the state of Virginia, as well as increased restrictions on manumission by those seeking to end the practice of slavery.
Dr. Egerton will share Gabriel’s story before moving into questions of history and memory as we grapple with "the tough stuff of history," that is so present with us today.
