Less is known about his father. Turner was an exceptionally well-educated slave, having learned to read along with his master's children. He was religious. On Sundays, he would go to nearby farms or churches and preach to slaves or freed blacks. He had a wife named Cherry, a daughter and one or two sons.
History is unclear.
He led an insurrection on Aug. 21-22 of 1831 during which a band of slaves killed about 60 whites. Turner was captured on Oct. 31, tried and hanged on Nov. 11.