Well, it's difficult to extrapolate from one county the experiences of
the entire region (not that it isn't often attempted). I can't really
speak to who comprised the census takers in the deep South state with
which I am most familiar (Mississippi), having never researched that
particular facet of Reconstruction.
More broadly, no one who studies Reconstruction could or would deny the
impact that the newly enfranchised freedmen had on their governments.
Certainly, in Mississippi and elsewhere, blacks held offices at local,
state, and federal levels. Yet, in some of the more negative accounts of
Reconstruction, their power and prominence was often exaggerated, the
novelty of their political influence producing fears of "Negro
domination." The reality was far more complicated.
With regard to the iron-clad oath, perhaps someone can inform me better,
but it's my understanding that this stopped being a political factor by
1870 (although things may have been different in Columbia County). Your
great-something uncle's extended proscription probably had more to do with
his own stubbornness than legislative fiat.
Bland Whitley
On Wed 27/10/10 3:46 PM , Craig Kilby [log in to unmask] sent:
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
> [ Alexandria Library
>
> 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2420
> Ph: 703-746-1718 Fax: 703-746-1720
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Craig Kilby"
> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 14:11
> To:
> 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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