Gabriel (1776-1800), a slave and skilled workman, planned a major slave revolt in the United States in 1800. Gabriel, later known as Gabriel Prosser, planned the uprising to force the state of Virginia to free black slaves and accept their demands for economic equality. Although the revolt never occurred, Gabriel came to be regarded as the most militant abolitionist of his time.
Gabriel and his followers, who may have numbered as many as 500, intended to attack Richmond, Virginia, the state capital. They planned to seize the city armory and take hostages—including the Virginia governor, James Monroe—and demand mass emancipation.
Gabriel and his brothers, Solomon and Martin, planned to begin the assault on Aug. 30, 1800. Heavy rains that afternoon washed away bridges and flooded roads to the city, and so Gabriel postponed the attack. That night, two slaves told their owner of the plot. The owner informed the governor, who called out the state militia. Gabriel was hanged on Oct. 10, 1800. Twenty-six of his followers were also hanged. Another eight slaves were sold to Spanish-ruled New Orleans.
Gabriel was born on Thomas Prosser’s plantation in Henrico County, Virginia, near Richmond. He worked on the plantation as a blacksmith.
