Posted Date: June 25, 2008

Only Two Markers Note Nat Turner's Place In History

By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal & Guide

   By next spring,  Newark, N.J. will complete the construction of a nine-acre park, named to honor Nat Turner, the Virginia slave who led a rebellion against white slaveholders in Southampton County over 200 years ago.
   The effort to construct the park, a spokesman for the city said, began with a group of activists in the capital city in the 1970s. But the spokesman said that the city’s budgetary constraints kept the park from being built.
   Now with the help of The Trust for Public Land, and those same patient Central Ward  activists and residents, the  park featuring a multi-purpose athletic field and track,  playground and improved landscaping will be built.
    Some research by the New Journal and Guide indicates that despite Nat Turner being held in high regard, especially in the African American community in general  and in many history books, there are few sites, such as parks or buildings which are named in his honor.
   There are two historic markers set up by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources outside of Courtland where he was jailed and  executed after he was caught in Virginia, on highway 35.
Another  exists on highway 58 at the house where the last battle took place against state militia, friendly black slaves and the small army of rebellious slaves led by Nat Turner.
    In Newport News, in the city’s new Port Warwick Subdivision,  off Jefferson, Avenue,  Nat Turner Street is located.
    There are no other prominent buildings or thoroughfares named to honor the African American, said Chesapeake Historian and Author Dr. E. Curtis Alexander, who has written a history book for children on Nat Turner’s rebellion.
    Alexander, who participated in a recent anniversary program for Southampton County which included a program to discuss the slavery revolt organized by Turner, said research shows there are two sides to this historic event.
    “To African Americans, Nat Turner is a hero because he  led a rebellion against slaveholders who brutalized their ancestors to free black slaves,” Alexander said.
“The ancestors of the white slaveholders are not about to forget or forgive that Turner murdered them during the revolt. There is still a great deal of resentment and fear on the part of Whites against Nat Turner and Blacks today. So I am not surprised that so little is named to honor Turner, except those markers.”

Neither is Khalif Khalifah. He is a long time resident of Southampton County, who has conducted the “Nat Turner Historical Tour,’ during the summer since 1992.  Tours are on demand so as soon as he can locate up enough interested folks, he conducts a day-long venture to 18 sites.
       Many of the sites related to the slave revolt are inaccessible, including the cave in the Dismal Swamp where Turner hid for days before he was captured.  There is a tavern, the Blount House, where the final battle took place and Vaughan House, the final stop of the rebellious slaves.
       Khalif, who lives in Drewryville, Va., co-wrote a book on the rebellion, “ Nat Turner, and the Campaign of the Black Liberation  Army of  the Black Liberation Army  of 1831.”
       By year’s end Khalifah said that he will have completed a health ranch retreat, and one of the buildings will be named the Nat Turner Community Building.
       Khalifah said that a third of the Southampton County residents carry the last name of ‘Turner’ from both races.  Residents, he said, are well aware of those who are direct descendants of the famous rebel and not the white plantation owner,.
    “There are white people who do not appreciate what Turner did and there are those in the black community who think he was a great hero. Remember, he sought to free his people from  slavery,” Khalifah said. “Both sides of the issue have a valid grievance.  But those who think he should  be a hero at this point should make sure that his memory does not pass with time.”
    Roger Smith, a long time New Jersey Central Ward resident who lobbied for the park, is finally seeing the park come to reality. He said he was surprised there are no high profile sites in Virginia, Turner’s native state.

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