The most likely difference is that the tax was only levied on "adults" - the definition of which varied between 16 and 21 years of age - while4 the census tried to count everyone - I.e. children as well as adults and the "very old."
Peter V. Bergstrom, PhD
Independent Historian
336-324-2365
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Leveen, Lois
Sent: 8 November, 2021 1:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VA-HIST] Tracking enslavement through Census versus Property Tax records
Howdy,
This is a very nitty gritty question for folks who have worked on documents
regarding enslavement, specifically regarding the number of enslaved people
held as property by particular enslavers.
I'm discovering some pretty significant discrepancies between the number of
enslaved people listed in the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules, and the number
listed in the State Auditor Property Tax records. With the latter, I am
able to see reported numbers of enslaved people for a particular enslaver
year by year, not just decade by decade. But the numbers are WAYYYY off.
For example, somebody listed with over 20 enslaved people on the slave
schedule has only 4 or 5 enslaved in the property tax listing for roughly
the same time period. I keep seeing this, over and over.
I suspect someone who has more experience/knowledge working with these
types of records might be able to explain the discrepancies. If that's
you, please school me -- I am all ears (or eyeballs, as I"ll be reading
your answer).
Thanks so much,
Lois
Lois Leveen, Ph.D.
she/her/hers
Virginia Humanities Fellow
Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
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