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)