Fayette Co., AL: 1850 Slave Schedules
Fayette County, Alabama
~ 1850 Slave Schedules ~
For many researchers, the 1850 U.S. census marked the first time that
all inhabitants of a household were identified by name. For
others, it took another 20 years and a Civil War in order to enjoy the
same privilege. The 1850 Slave Schedules are significant to both
groups, as they offer insight into some ancestors and valuable clues to
others.
The slave censuses were taken for purposes of representation — the
southern states could claim three-fifths of their slave populations in
determining Congressional apportionment. Slaves were counted by
number
rather than name and differentiated according to age, sex and
"colour." In 1850, the government recognized only three
classifications of race: White, Black and Mulatto. The latter
term
technically referred to a person with mixed Anglo and Negro ancestry,
but
physical appearance often overruled genetics. Anyone who was not
perceivably White or Black was deemed Mulatto.
Slaves were enumerated at the same time but on a different form
(schedule) than the "free" population. Therefore, householders
and slaveholders were recorded generally
in the same order on both
censuses. This is important for researchers because enumerators
sometimes spelled names differently (e.g., Reynolds vs. Runnels,
Robertson vs. Robinson, etc.) as they switched between forms. By
comparing the two schedules and the order in which the individuals
appear, an accurate identification can be made.
The Fayette County Slave Schedules have been transcribed in sections to
make them easier and faster to download. They are grouped
according to page numbers where the slaveholders are found on the
1850 U.S. census. A head-of-household index for that schedule is
available here.
Slave
Inhabitants in the County of Fayette,
State of Alabama
Source:
Population Schedules of the
Seventh Census of the United States - 1850 - Alabama (Slave Schedules),
National Archives Microfilm M-432, Roll 19
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Co., AL
This page last updated 11 Jan
2004.