Nat Turner
Nat Turner is the real historical figure at the center of the Confessions. A slave since birth, he led other slaves in the single bloodiest uprising against slave owners and those who supported their horrific institution in American history. The story is his confession as told to a lawyer while sitting in a jail following his capture.
Thomas R. Gray
Gray is the lawyer—not Turner’s actual representing attorney—who transcribes the confessions. Gray also act as interviewer so that more information about his past as well as the events of the insurrection are learned than might have been through a simple signed legal confession.
Benjamin Phipps
Phipps, armed with a fully charged shotgun, singlehandedly captured Turner from his hiding spot inside a cave. Turner was armed only with a sword which he handed over in the face of Phipps’ cocked weapon. Phipps showed remarkable restraint in granting Turner—who was armed nevertheless—his only request: to spare his life.
Putnam Moore
The "man" who "owned" Nat Turner.
Ethelred Brantley
A white man, mentioned but once, but presenting one of the most memorable images from the story. After Turner relates of revelation from God, Brantley repents of his wicked ways, but only after spontaneously bleeding from his pores and nine days of fasting and prayer.
Levi Waller
Central witness deposed for testimony. Turner and his minions had killed Levi’s wife and ten children, but were apparently not able to locate the matriarch and do the same. As a result, his testimony would have been damning even without Turner’s confession which leaves no room for doubt about the savagery of the insurrection. What is missing from the account, however, is the savagery conducted by Waller toward Davy.
Davy
One of Waller's slaves who was convicted along with Turner of taking part in the slave revolt.
