The number represents the number of tithables in the household. For
example, 1 means 1 tithable, generally the head of the household. 2 means
there was also another tithable - generally a son of legal age, or maybe
the father of the head of household - in the household. Tithables also
included slaves and servants, but slaves at least were counted separately.
So 7 could mean a father, several sons over 16, and several white male
servants over 16. You need to see the original list (as opposed to a
transcription) because cows and horses were also taxed, and maybe the guy
had 7 horses. If you look at the tax list, you will also see columns at the
left for possessions that were also taxed, such as carriages, and then
you'll see how much money they owed in tax.

Here's an excerpt from an old msg on the subject:
----------------
 >A "tithable" was any white male 16 years old or older; of course,
 >this was usually the tax payer's sons (though not always). These tithables
 >often (again, though not always) became listed independently after they
 >turned 21.
 >When a man first appears as a titheable, he actually
 >turned 21 the previous year. Property tax was paid for the preceding year.
---------------

Aha - read the definitive text here:
   http://www.lva.lib.va.us/pubserv/vanotes/vanotes3.htm

Hope this helps,
Holly

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