Thursday, August 4, 2016

1850-60 Slave Schedules

On 1 June 1850 & 1860, enumerators were to account for slaves in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and, curiously enough, New Jersey.

Generally, only the number of slaves was recorded, but some enumerators recorded names.

Categories:
[1] age, sex, color
[2] name of owner
[3] if a fugitive from another state
[4] number of slaves manumitted [freed]
[5] if deaf, dumb, blind or idiotic
[6] number of house slaves [1860 only]

In some cases slaves were listed in family groups, but generally were listed eldest to youngest.
The number of slaves gave hint to the size of the owner's property. A large number of slaves suggested a plantation. 1-2 slaves might be a clue to a small farm or business.

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