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From: Janet Hunter <>
Subject: [LDR] 1780s VA Tax List Query
Date: Fri, 5 May 2000 11:37:08 -0400

Hello Everyone,

Recently on another list a subscriber asked for help in identifying the
headings for columns for the 1788 tax list for Sportsylvania Co. VA I dug
into my files and found my Powhatan Co VA lists for 1780s. They had the
headings which I will list below.

If they were the same throughout the state they would apply to Accomac and
Northampton.

Do any of you know if the tax requirements were statewide?? Or could
counties make their own choices?

1782 list contains:
Name of taxpayer, names of adult slaves
Number of free whites
Number of slaves
Number of wheels (note on Powhatan there are notations as to whether it is a
phaeton, a carriage, etc. These are "pleasure" vehicles, hence the extra.
Farm wagons not included)
Number of horses
Number of cattle
Number of ordinary licenses.

1784 list contains:
Taxpayer's names, names of slaves
Number of free males over 21
Same between 16 & 21
Slaves above 16
Slaves under 16
Number of covering horses (ie studs) and rates
Number of horses
Number of mules
Number of cattle
Number of wheels
Ordinary licenses.

1787 List contains:
Names chargeable with Tax
Names of White Male Tithables
White males 16 to 21
Blacks over 16
Blacks under 16
Horses, mares, colts and mules
Cattle
Carriage wheels
Ordinary licenses
Billiard tables
Stud Horses
Rates of covering per season
Practicing Physicians, Apothecaries & Surgeons
Blacks exempt.

1788 AND 1789 lists contain:
Names chargeable with TAX
Names of White Male Tithables
Blacks over 16
Blacks between 12 and 16
Horses, mares, colts and mules
Ordinary licenses
Billiard tables
Number of stud horses
Rates of covering per season
Practicing Physicians, Apothecaries & Surgeons

Thanks in advance,

Janet (BAUGH) Hunter
Also at

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