The 1800 U.S. Census is the second census taken since the ratification of the constitution and it shares a lot of similarities to the 1790 census. The official census day was 4 August 1800 and it took 9 months to complete. The census was taken by U.S. Marshalls in each federal district along with their assistants.

The census required that every head of household be recorded along with a count of the household members. Every free person over the age of 16 was required by law to participate in the census. This requirement included a fine of $20 if a person did not participate. That fine would equate to about $477 today.

A Count of the Family

Like the 1790 U.S. Census, this census also collected a count of family members. The age categories for the household were more specific than the previous count.

From the National Archives, the 1800 U.S. Census asked for:

• Name of head of family
• Number of free white males under 10 years of age
• Number of free white males of 10 and under 16 years of age
• Number of free white males of 16 and under 26 years of age
• Number of free white males of twenty six and under 45 years of age
• Number of free white males of 45  years of age and upwards
• Number of free white females under 10 years of age
• Number of free white females of 10 and under 16 years of age
• Number of free white females of 16 and under 26 years of age
• Number of free white females of twenty six and under 45 years of age
• Number of free white females of 45  years of age and upwards
• Number of all other free persons, except Indians, not taxed [free African-Americans]
• Number of slaves

Census Statistics

The U.S. Marshalls were required to provide their own paper at their own expense. The required information was generally recorded in the format that Congress required. Those documents were then sent to district courts and the count totals were forwarded to Congress.

The total reported population count for the United States in 1800 was 5.3 million people. Once again, Virginia was the most populous state and Delaware was the least populous. New York City was the most populous city. The Wikipedia article for the 1800 U.S. Census has more interesting statistics.

The statistical information from the census can be used to identify or infer who might have been in a household.

Record Loss

A fair amount of the original schedules for the 1800 U.S. Census were lost. The schedules for Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, territory of Mississippi, and Virginia were completely lost. Other schedules may have been lost for various reasons. Because of this, there is no way to check the accuracy of the reported numbers. It also makes it difficult to research in certain states, particularly Tennessee.

The schedules that did survive were eventually sent to Washington D. C. where they were bound into books.

A look at Justus Brockway

Justus Brockway was born about 1746, most likely in Connecticut, and died 12 December 1827 in Stephentown, Rensselaer, New York. He married Alice Gardner in 1772 in Stephentown. Justus and Alice had 8 girls and 6 boys. Even though the census does not name each individual, we can infer who might have been in the household. The family was located in Stephentown, Rensselaer, New York in 1800¹.

• White males 10-16 years = 3
• White males 16-26 years = 2
• White males over 45 years = 1
• White females under 10 years = 2
• White females over 45 years = 1

Looking at the age groupings we can easily infer that Justus and Alice are the individuals over 45 years. The rest are most likely the children who were still at home. Justus’ two youngest children were born after 1800, so they were not included in the count. Justus Jr., was listed separately in his own household. The three oldest daughters Elsa, Elizabeth, and Lucy were married and no longer in the household. Justus’ daughter Rewanah had passed away in 1792. There should be 7 children accounted for in the census.

• White males 10-16 years = 3
  • Samuel Brockway b. 1786
  • George Washington Brockway b. 1791
  • Simeon Brockway b. 1797*
• White males 16-26 years = 2
  • Benjamin Gardner Brockway b. 1781
  • Jesse Brockway b. 1783
• White males over 45 years = 1
  • Justus Brockway b. 1746
• White females under 10 years = 2
  • Clairmond Brockway b. 1799
  • Azubah Brockway b. 1795
• White females over 45 years = 1
  • Alice Gardner b. 1756

One possible anomaly is Simeon Brockway. He should have been included in the under 10 years category and not the 10-16 year group. It is possible the third male in the 10-16 group is a different person. It is also possible the count was recorded incorrectly.

This analysis of Justus Brockway in the 1800 U.S. Census confirms some of the information in FamilySearch, but it also identifies some new areas of research. What is the source for the death date of Rewanah? The rest of the children need sources for birth, death, and marriage dates. But we can reasonably infer who was in the household in 1800.

Sources

1. Ancestry.com. 1800 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data:Second Census of the United States, 1800. NARA microfilm publication M32 (52 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Second Census of the United States, 1800: Population Schedules, Washington County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio; and Population Census, 1803: Washington County, Ohio. NARA microfilm publication M1804 (1 roll).