#gabriel Prossner

[3rdeyeblaque]

August 30th marks the 223rd anniversary of the Gabriel's Conspiracy of 1800; a most collaborative effort that would unite enslaved folks, "freefolk", First Nations, poor Whites, and the French army✊🏾

Gabriel "Prosser" was born enslaved on Thomas Prosser's tobacco plantation in Richmond, Virginia,1776. Even as a child, Brother Gabriel was unique; he was considered to be unusually intelligent & unusually large in size. By the age 20, he was 6ft feet 2-3in tall & enormously strong from his years of apprentcing as a Blacksmith. This instinctively compelled even older enslaved folks to view him as a leader.

He and his brother, Solomon, were hired out as Blacksmiths around Richmond, VA, which not only allowed them access to money and a small measure of traveling freedom, but exposed them to labor and leisure time with other hired out workers - from enslaved folk, "freefolk", to white laborers. At the time, talk of the American Revolution, Saint Domingue's uprising, White Workings Class, the small measures of success held by "freefolk", the contempt of the enslaved, and the white merchants routinely cheating them all out of fair pay was prominent. These experiences shaped his mind and molded his ambitions toward revolutionary freedom and prosperity.

Brother Gabriel believed that if enslaved folk rose up against the oppressors, then poor Whites and other oppressed communities would be inspired and join them. His plan was simple: seize Capitol Square in Richmond, take Governor James Monroe as a hostage as a bargaining tool against city authorities. He planned to send an ally to Catawbas Nation to persuade them to join them. It was also believed that he'd hoped to sway members of a French army that had landed nearby would assist them.

Gabriel conveyed his plan to his brother Solomon and another of Prosser Jr.'s slaves. From there they began building his army. They recruited only men as soldiers; majority slaves, "freefolk", and a few poor Whites. Others were recruited abolitionists, French militants, and other strong minded rebels as leaders. They traveled from Richmond to nearby towns throughout Virginia to build their army and allegiances. They amassed an armory of weapons. They began hammering swords out of scythes and molding bullets out of iron.

By August of 1800, Gabriel's army was ready. His plan now included overtaking the town of Norfolk and Petersburg by the conspirators living there. Gabriel announced that they would move come nightfall on Saturday, August 30th. As his lieutenants delivered the news to outlying areas, a rumor of insurrection surfaced among Whites in Richmond, which went largely ignored by their Governor. On August 30th, a torrential downpour flooded the region in what had been described as, "the most terrible thunderstorm every witnessed in the state of Virginia". Though a handful of men gathered at the appointed meeting spot, it became clear that the quickly rising water would make key roads and bridges impassable. Gabriel decided to postpone until Sunday evening, August 31st. To our great disappointment, before they had a chance to carry out their plan, enslaved conspirators in two different locations cracked under pressure and confessed their "masters". Thus, the Governor was alerted and white patrols, later joined by the state militia, began roaming the countryside searching for Gabriel and his army.

Soon, Gabriel and one of his leutenants disappeared. Others eluded capture for several days, but by September 9th, almost 30 slaves were jailed awaiting trial. Gabriel's brother, Solomon, was given up by one of their closest conspiratorsfrom the same Prossner plantation in exchange for a pardon. On Sept 14th Gabriel swam to a schooner called Mary on the James River to see a White man named Richardson Taylor who was a former overseer with a change of heart toward Slavery. He attempted to take Gabriel to freedom, but was thwarted by 1 of 2 Black folk on board who outted him in hopes of receiving the $300 reward for his capture, which would ensure his own freedom. Gabriel was handed over to authorities in Norfolk, VA while their informant was given a mere $50 and remained enslaved.

On October 6th, Gabriel was put on trial and set to be executed the next day. The only time he spoke during his trail was to request a stay until October 10th to be executed alongside his brothers in arms on the date that was set for them. On October 10th, he was executed alone by hanging. By the end of 2mo long trials, 26 conspirators were executed and 1 died by suicide in custody. Virginia paid over $8900 to slaveholders for the executed slaves.

This undoubtedly would have been the most far-reaching slave revolt in U.S. History. The first time in recorded U.S. history when the enslaved, "freefolk", First Nations, and even poor Whites, were united under the banner of freedom. We can only imagine how this would've reshaped the history of Virginia let alone the course of Transatlantic Slavery in the U.S.

We pour libations of water, blow tobacco smoke, speak their names, & offer prayers toward the elevation of Brother Gabriel, his lieutenants, and ally conspirators who risked it ALL for our freedom and prosperity for generations to come.