Chesapeake rebellion

Chesapeake Rebellion
Part of the Slave Revolts in North America
Escaped slaves in the Great Dismal Swamp, where many fled after the suppression of the revolt
Date1730
Location
Caused bySlavery, mistaken belief that King George II had emancipated the slaves
GoalsLiberation
Resulted inSuppression
Parties
Rebel slaves
Colonial Government of Virginia
Native American groups
Number
200 or more

The Chesapeake rebellion of 1730 was the largest slave rebellion of the colonial period in North America.[1] Believing that Virginian planters had disregarded a royal edict from King George II which freed slaves, two hundred slaves gathered in Princess Anne County, Virginia, in October, electing captains and demanding that Governor Gooch honor the royal edict.[2] White planters stopped these meetings, arresting some slaves and forcing others to flee. Although hundreds of slaves fled to the Great Dismal Swamp, they were immediately hunted down by the authorities and their Pasquotank allies.[1]

  1. ^ a b Parent Jr., Anthony S. (2003). Foul Means: The Formation of a Slave Society in Virginia, 1660–1740. Chapel Hill: UNC Press. ISBN 0-8078-2813-0.
  2. ^ Gooch to BT", quoted on Justin James Pope's "Dangerous Spirit of Liberty: Slave Rebellion, Conspiracy, and the First Great Awakening, 1729–1746" 19