Eric is correct, the law limited both the number of tobacco plants that
could be grown "per worker in the ground," i.e., tithable---whether white or
slave and denied the growing of suckers or sideshoots because they produced
an inferior grade of tobacco. Constables were appointed by the county to go
to each farm/plantation and count the number of tobacco plants; they were
paid a flat rate per tithable and you will find these listed in the
(usually ) October court list of items paid. Some of these lists survive
among the county loose papers and are usually erroneously labeled "tithable
lists" and filed as such. Tithables were created in the spring; tobacco
lists were created in the summer. I have seen a few that actually list the
total number of tobacco plants.
One of the lists for Orange County by a Hancock is acctually labeled
"Hancock, his sucker hunting list."
Barbara
Barbara Vines Little, CG
PO Box 1273
Orange, VA 22960
phone/fax 540-832-3473 (evenings)
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Genealogists®, used under license by board-certified associates who meet
genealogical competency standards prescribed for those programs.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Watkinson <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 10:12 AM
Subject: [VA-HIST] "sucker hunting"
Just ran across the following from Orange Co, VA, 1751: "The Pet[ition]
of William Donaught Humbly Begs that your Worships will allow me my
Tobacco for Sucker Hunting Last year according to the list I sent your
worships . . ." "Sucker hunting"???
Any clues from the learned listers?
Please pardon the cross-post.
Cheers.
Jim Watkinson
James D. Watkinson, Ph.D.
Archives
Library of Virginia
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