Sure there were freedmen in various offices, in various southern states and
cities, etc. during Reconstruction.  None of that is subject to the layers
of surprise suggested.  But the question the two of us asked was simply
about documentary evidence for the statement about the administration of the
census, to wit: "In 1870, most census takers were often former slaves."
   Its a fair question - deserving of something better than a general
commentary about freedmen and office-holding in the Reconstruction era.
Nothing hostile. No agendas. Just wondering about supporting evidence for an
interesting statement about the administration of the census in 1870.
   Its so fair a question, in fact, that perhaps it should be asked again:
I'm (still) curious about the documentary evidence for the statement that
"In 1870,
most census takers were often former slaves....."
And I expect that the other VA-HIST participant who was "intrigued by your
comment that 'In 1870, most census takers were often former slaves' may
still be wondering:
"Where is this documented?"

Fair questions?
Jon Kukla
________________
www.JonKukla.com <http://www.jonkukla.com/>


On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 3:46 PM, Craig Kilby <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I was talking about the Deep South and in particular Columbia County,
> Georgia as a good example.  A district-by-district account would indeed be
> most interesting.
>
> I am intrigued by the notion represented in your note and Jon Kukla that
> former slaves (or if you wish, freed blacks) were not a major part of the
> Re-constructionist governments of both states and the US Congress (from the
> South.)  Surely, this is no surprise. If this comes as a big surprise, I am
> surprised to learn it. MANY southern whites and former confederates would
> not take the oath of allegiance and were banned from voting or holding
> public office. If I am wrong here, please explain it to me. I have in one
> case of a great-something uncle whose CW pension application (issued in
> Tennessee) talks about his CW service and that he could not vote until 1879
> because he refused to take the oath of allegiance until that year in order
> that he could vote in county elections.
>
> You needn't take my word for this. This is probably on facebook.com.  Then
> there were his two brothers who moved to St. Louis at this same time, which
> was considered a "confederate friendly state."
>
> I don't particularly see the need to re-invent what is pretty well known
> material.
>
> Craig
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 3:15 PM, Leslie Anderson wrote:
> >
> >
> > Craig --
> >
> > I'm intrigued by your comment that "In 1870, most census takers were
> often former slaves."
> > Where is this documented?
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Leslie Anderson
> > Reference Librarian
> > Special Collections
> > [http://www.alexandria.lib.va.us/] Alexandria Library
> > [log in to unmask]
> > 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2420
> > Ph: 703-746-1718 Fax: 703-746-1720
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "Craig Kilby" <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 14:11
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] When was the 1860 census taken?
> >
> > Mari
> >
> > Avoiding the 5 w's of journalism (who, what, where, when and why) is
> always a safe ground to take--but it is also very irresponsible. If you look
> a little deeper (perhaps not in Virginia as much as the more deep south
> states, and Reconstruction in general, you'll note quite a few changes. This
> is only natural. In 1870, most census takers were often former slaves, and
> it dos not take a leap of faith to understand that their world-view of "who"
> was radially different from had been reported earlier. This is why I think
> the 1870 census is so fascinating. We all (should) know that any census is
> not perfect. To ignore the reality of the times and federal apportionment
> politics is, in my view, a big mistake.
> >
> > My 2c only, and I'm always open and willing to learn new things. Another
> good reason to be on this fantastic list. Thank you Mari and everyone else
> for this thread.
> >
> > Craig
> >
> > On Oct 26, 2010, at 12:59 PM, Julienne, Mari (LVA) wrote:
> >
> >> I am not making any reference to the politics of census taking.
> >
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