A word of caution. Only part of the Halfiax list and I think one of
the Pitt lists have any real detail. The Bates portion of the Halifax
list does have barns, sheds, a mill or two and some shops as well as
cabins, dairies, smoke, corn, tobo houses etc. Most of the farms/
plantations are not elaborate. Halifax and Pitts are not long settled
by the time these lists were taken--Mick
On Dec 4, 2008, at 4:03 PM, Joan Horsley wrote:
> Thanks a lot, Mick. I had no idea there might be that kind of
> detail available in the originals--can't wait to see them. (For
> anyone else interested, it's LVA Miscellaneous Microfilm Reel
> number 1263. Explanation of what is included is at: 1790 Virginia
> Census VA-NOTES <http://www.lva.virginia.gov/whatwehave/census/
> va2_1790census.htm> )
>
> I have also wondered if for some who had no "dwelling" but had
> "other buildings" that might mean where they lived was also used as
> a store, or a craftsman's shop, or tavern, or some such. (For
> example, one person I identified was a blacksmith.) Do you recall
> any mention or indication of shops in the Halifax & Pittsy
> information?
>
> I appreciate your reply.--Joan
>
> --- On Thu, 12/4/08, Michael Nicholls <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> From: Michael Nicholls <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] 1785 Heads of Households census
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 1:41 PM
>
> I once looked at these lists for Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties
> where there
> is some great detail reported on portions of the county lists. If I
> recall, when
> contrasted to the published volume meant to supplement the census
> of 1790, the
> other buildings would likely have included cabins which do show up
> for many
> people in Halifax who have no dwelling house listed. Those without
> any buildings
> were probably renters whose housing was being reported on the land
> lords list.
> The Halifax list gives some details on construction, siding,
> roofing etc. What
> distinguished a Dwelling houses may have been in the eye of the tax
> man--an
> examination of the originals would really help you, I believe--good
> luck--Mick
> Nicholls
> On Dec 4, 2008, at 11:11 AM, Joan Horsley wrote:
>
>> In the 1785 Heads of Households Census of Virginia, why are so many
> residents in each county (sometimes it appears close to the
> majority) listed as
> having no "dwelling-house?” Most of those with no “dwelling” have one
> or more "other building(s)," but some families are listed with
> neither. I cannot find a definition of "dwelling-house" in the Act
> calling for this census or elsewhere that would explain why so many
> people had
> none.
>>
>> The 1785 Virginia heads of household enumeration came from “An act to
> ascertain the quantity of land, the improvements thereon, and the
> number of
> people, within this commonwealth.” The law required "a list from each
> person within [each county precinct] of the number of white persons
> in each
> family therein, and the number of buildings, distinguishing
> dwelling-houses from
> other buildings." (Hening's Statutes at Large, 11:415-417)
>>
>> The purpose of the 1784 Act was to comply with the Eighth Article of
> Confederation and establish the "value of all land within each state,
> granted to or surveyed for any person, as such land and the
> buildings and
> improvements thereon shall be estimated." Since this is not a
> personal tax
> law but a valuation of state-wide land, it seems it would not make any
> difference for this census whether a particular person owned versus
> rented
> his/her dwelling or outbuilding, as I previously thought might be one
> explanation.
>>
>> Several people at LVA have been most helpful in trying to answer this
> question, but so far they are stumped as well. I have not seen the
> microfilm for
> this census, which may provide some clue, and I’ve ordered it
> through ILL.
>>
>> In the meantime, I figured someone here might know what I am missing.
> Thanks very much for any help.
>>
>> Joan Horsley
>>
>>
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