In 1800, he was savvy, armed and determined to end slavery in Virginia’s capital. But on the day of the bold slave insurrection, disaster struck.
Gabriel’s revolt: In 1800, he was savvy, armed and determined to end slavery in Virginia’s capital
August 23 More than two centuries ago, an enslaved man named Gabriel was making final preparations to lead a revolt in Richmond that he hoped would spur the end of slavery. He was smart, he was armed and he was bold. Were it not for a fierce rainstorm, he might have succeeded.