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This ground, formerly known as 'the Gallows', was the site for several convicts were hung, mainly slaves, during the 1800s. Notably, Gabriel, one slave of the owner Thomas Henry Prosser, was hung here on October 10, 1800, after planning a secret rebellion to raid Richmond government officials with the help of several slaves. 

Richmond African Burial Ground

This is a tour depicting the background, events, and consequences/results of Gabriel's Conspiracy in Henrico County, Virginia.

At this location in 1776, Gabriel Prosser was born on a plantation owned by Thomas Prosser. Growing up alongside his brother Solomon, the two young enslaved men both learned to read and were trained as a Blacksmiths, likely by their biological father. When Thomas Prosser died, his son Thomas Henry took over the plantation. Sources indicate that Thomas Henry was a much harsher slave master, but continued the practice of selling the services of Gabriel and Solomon to to others in the area in need of Blacksmith work. This permitted the two to earn a small portion of the proceeds as an incentive. This practice also made it possible for Gabriel to meet and talk to many of the enslaved people he would eventually lead in one of the most historically significant slave rebellions in American history.

This is roughly the location of the Thomas Henry Prosser Plantation where enslaved persons like Gabriel, Solomon, Ben, Martin, and others lived. Prosser worked in this area, the city now covering it, in order to extend his property to a peak of about 2,000 acres. Brookfield is where Gabriel and many of the other slaves grew up and got to know one another, leading to them coming together later in their revolt which is known as Gabriel's Rebellion.

Brookfield Plantation and Gabriel's Rebellion

At this location in the late 1700s to early 1800s, members of Gabriel's Conspiracy met to recruit and select their officers, along with discussing their plans for the revolt. Sam Byrd Jr., a man enslaved by widow Jane Clarke, made the plan to attack Richmond government officials at nighttime. A party of fifty or so people to set fire to wooden structures at the lower part of town, causing citizens to draw to that area and provide an opening to attack upper Richmond, where the Capitol presides.

William Young Fields

This Bridge, now seen as '14th Street' in Henrico County, was the place where the slaves teamed together for the renowned Gabriel's Conspiracy would go and set fire to the Rocketts, a warehouse district in Richmond. You should be able to see both the bridge and the warehouse with the given coordinates. 

Mayo's Bridge

This was the home of two key slaves, named Tom and Pharaoh. On the year 1800, they were part of a rebellious plan known as Gabriel's Conspiracy. However, they fled to Meadow Farm shortly before the rebellion would take place to inform their owner named Mosby Sheppard. Sheppard was able to notify government officials about the planned rebellion in order to quickly shut it down.   

Gabriel's Conspiracy

Richmond African Burial Ground

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