Name/Title
Jefferson County personal property tax list, 1811Entry/Object ID
ARC887Scope and Content
Leather-bound ledger used by Jefferson County Clerk George Hite to record the personal and real property taxes owed by landholders in Jefferson County in the year 1811. Each entry is marked "By cash in full; settled in full; or Delinquent" depending upon the taxpayer's status. In 1811 the taxes collected were a levy on white free males 16 years and older; enslaved males 12-16 years old; enslaved males 16 and older; and horses and mares. A "Lott & land" tax was also levied. Militia fines were also recorded in the account book.
There is a tabbed index in the front of the ledger which lists the taxpayers by surname followed by given name. The first tab in this ledger begins with letters "J" and "K." The surnames are not arranged alphabetically on the tab. The tabs for letters "A" through "H" are missing.
A small portion of the book was used by Mary E. Ranson and contains what may be school work and/or other random writings.
On the outside front cover is the name Mary E. Ranson and the date 1860 written in ink. Near the top middle is the date 1811 which was altered to look like 1860. Written on the inside front cover is "Mary E. Ranson--Mary E. Ranson, Charlestown, Jeff. Co., Va."
Some pages appear to be missing throughout the book and there are miscellaneous writings in pencil at various places.
Loose handwritten note reads: Presented to H.S. [Jefferson County Historical Society] by Mrs. Van B. Wilson--great granddaughter of Matthew Ransone. He cut the E from his name saying he had to write his name too often to fool with any extra letters.
Additional information in Media.Acquisition
Accession
75Source or Donor
Charles Town LibraryAcquisition Method
GiftArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1811Archive Size/Extent
1 leather-bound ledger, 6 1/2" x 8"Archive Notes
Date(s) Created: 1811; 1860