In 1831, a simple wood jail stood here next to the Southampton County Courthouse, and the small building held Nat Turner and many of his followers before trial and between their sentencing and executions. After his rebellion collapsed, Turner returned to the insurrection site on Cabin Pond Road and hid for more than two months in makeshift "caves" until Benjamin Phipps captured him. Turner was delivered to the jail on October 31, 1831, after Governor John Floyd had authorized a $500 reward for his capture, and Edward Burts, deputy of Southampton County's sheriff Clements Rochelle, signed the receipt. Turner was chained and shackled upon his arrival, and an extra militia guard was posted to prevent any plot to free the insurrection's leader. From November 1 through 4, 1831, lawyer Thomas Ruffin Gray sat with "General Nat," recording The Confessions of Nat Turner. Turner was tried on November 5 by Southampton County's Court of Oyer and Terminer, and Justice of the Peace Jeremiah Cobb sentenced him to be "hanged by the neck until he was dead." Turner remained in jail until the judgment was carried out, and he was executed on November 11, 1831.