A good look at the 1860 U.S. Census

The 1860 U.S. census was taken right before the American Civil War. Comparing the 1860 U.S. census with the 1870 U.S. census can show the impact of the war on many American families, particularly in the Southern States. This census also captured a lot of economic information such as occupations and property values. Relationships to the head of household were not included so family relationships are inferred.

The style and format of the 1860 U.S. census was similar to the 1850 U.S. census. Congress delegated a Census Board which included the Secretary of State, Attorney General and the Postmaster General to determine the questions that would be asked.

Questions for the 1860 U.S. Census

The questions for the 1860 U.S. census were similar to the 1850 U.S. census. There were two schedules included, one for free inhabitants and one for slaves. Unfortunately the slave schedule did not include the names of the enslaved. This census also included mortality and agricultural schedules.

Schedule 1 – Free inhabitants

  1. Dwelling-house numbered in the order of visitation
  2. Families numbered in the order of visitation
  3. Name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1860, was in this family
  4. Age
  5. Sex
  6. Color (white, black, or mulatto)
  7. Profession, occupation, or trade of each person, male and female, over 15 years of age
  8. Value of real estate owned
  9. Value of personal estate owned
  10. Place of birth, naming the State, Territory, or Country
  11. Married within the year [hash mark if yes]
  12. Attended school within the year [hash mark if yes]
  13. Persons over 20 years of age who cannot read and write [hash mark if yes]
  14. Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict [hash mark if yes]

Schedule 2 – Slave inhabitants

  1. Name of slave owner
  2. Number of slaves
  3. Age
  4. Sex
  5. Color
  6. Fugitive from the state [hash mark if yes]
  7. Number manumitted
  8. Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic
  9. Number of slave houses

Missing records

Most all of the states and territories that existed in 1860 were included in the count. Some territories were included with other areas. For example some areas of Nevada were included with Utah. Slave schedules were only taken in selected states. A complete list is available at the National Archives.

No census was taken for Hernando County, Florida. There are also missing schedules for Bienville Parish, Louisiana, and some counties in Mississippi. It is possible there are missing sheets from other areas.

Census statistics

The total U.S. population increased 35% to 31,443,321, which included 3,953,762 slaves. The most populous state was New York and the least populous was Oregon. The most populous city was New York City with a population of 813,669. A brief report on the statistics was prepared because of the start of the Civil War. Census statistics did aid the Northern side to create maps and info that was used in the war (Wikipedia).

A look at Colby Ross

The 1860 U.S. census1 shows quite a change in the Colby Ross family since 18502.

1860 U.S. census showing the Colby Ross family.
1860 U.S. census showing the Colby Ross family.

This census shows several changes for Colby Ross’s family. His daughter Cynthia Ann was married to Thomas Edgemon and listed with him. Thomas is missing. His two remaining children are still living with him, William and Parthena. Colby is remarried to a Tabitha. Tabitha’s children are also included in the household.

NameAgeSexColorBirthplace
Colby Ross47MWUnknown
Tabitha Ross45FWNorth Carolina
William R Ross19MWTennessee
Parthena20FWTennessee
Matilda Reed21FWNorth Carolina
Thomas Reed19MWNorth Carolina
John S Reed14MWNorth Carolina
Manalcus Reed11MWNorth Carolina
Michael Reed8MWTennessee

Colby Ross was listed as a farmer in Limestone County, Alabama, with a property value of $80. The box was ticked about not being able to read and write for both Colby and Tabitha. Colby’s birthplace is listed as unknown in this census even though other censuses state North Carolina. It is possible Tabitha was the individual that reported the information about the family. This census also estimates Colby’s birth year as 1813, though it is was likely earlier. The 1850 U.S. census stated Colby was 44, so he should have been 54 in 1860 with a birth year in 1806.

Colby Ross is a potential parent for Darthula Ross. Darthula Ross married William Jasper Eaton 28 June 18603. The census sheet for Colby Ross shows the enumerator came by 14 June 1860. If Darthula is a daughter, she should have been included with Colby Ross’s family because the enumeration date is before the marriage date. It is pretty clear Darthula is not included, but Parthena is with the family. At this point there is no reason to believe that Parthena and Darthula are the same person.

To be clear, neither Darthula Ross nor William Jasper Eaton are included in the 1860 U.S. census. Looking at the dates of the marriage license, marriage date and the enumeration, it is possible they missed the enumerator.

Sources

  1. 1860 U.S. Census, Limestone County, Alabama, population schedule, District No. 2, Athens Post Office, p. 22 (penned), dwelling 158, family 158, Colby Ross household; digital image, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 29 January 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M653.
  2. 1850 U.S. Census, Limestone County, Alabama, population schedule, District 4, p. 12 (stamped), dwelling 163, family 163, Colby Ross household; digital image, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 29 January 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 8.
  3. Limestone County, Alabama History and Archives, marriage certificate, Darthula Ross, Cert. 3122, 1860; digital image, “Limestone Marriages 1832-1862,” database, Limestone County, page 859 (https://archives.limestonecounty-al.gov : accessed 29 January 2023).
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