Thanks for being more specific and mentioning Columbia Co
Craig --
Thanks for being more specific and mentioning Columbia Co, Georgia.
I am reluctant to make generalizations -- even those based on "good" examples.
I ask in the interest of historical discourse -- not to pursue a political debate on the list.
A district-by-district analysis would be more than interesting. We'd have facts to deal with.
So the question remains unanswered. Are you aware of sources?
Does anyone on the list know of documentation that supports the assertion that "In 1870, most census takers were often former slaves"?
Regards,
Leslie Anderson
-----Original Message-----
From: "Craig Kilby" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 15:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Former slaves as census takers
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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