A Slave Revolt at “Chatham”
A December 1804 slave revolt at Chatham warned the region of potential servile insurrections. A January 1805 “Virginia Herald” article related that the Chatham slaves rebelled at having their Christmas holiday cut short, then seized and whipped the overseer, a Mr. Starke. Militiaman Benjamin Bussell of Falmouth was wounded and died. Slave Phillip, a ring leader, was shot and killed. Another, James, fell through the river ice as he tried to escape. (Photo: Alan Zirkle)