The "Lost" 1800 Census of Louisa County, Virginia

Back in November, I posted the following on the Free Persons of Color Forum on the AfriGeneas website. I thought it might be of interest for those of you with Louisa County roots.  TLS 


The loss of early census records for the state of Virginia has been a problem for all genealogists. Additionally, the 1810 census for Louisa County of Virginia, where my free colored ancestors lived is also missing.




According to the statistical compilation done for the 1790 census, there were only 14 individuals listed under the heading of “all other free persons,” for Louisa County. In 1800, the number had risen to 132.



In 1968, a copy of the 1800 census for Louisa County was found filed under tax records. The Louisa County Historical Society, printed a copy of the schedule in its magazine, “Louisa County Historical Magazine,” Volume 4, No. 2 dated June 1972. Another researcher sent me a copy for my records.



The gentleman who wrote the introduction to the article in the magazine, Ransom B. True, counted 12 households composed solely of free colored and 1 household that included a white female. He reported that no free colored owned slaves. However, according to the transcribed copy, a household headed by John Warren was composed of 2 Free Colored and 1 slave. I’m not sure if Mr. True missed this individual or if it was transcribed incorrectly.



The rest of the households composed exclusively of “other free persons” include the following:



Nathaniel Branham, 5 individuals

Ursala Cooper, 3

Patience Chase, 3

James Dowles, 3

William Dalton, 4

John Dalton, 12

Isaac Fuzzamore, 11

Duncan Homes, 3

Annis Lemay, 5

Thomas Mason, 6

Laurence Mason, 7

Francis Pack, 4



Additionally, there is the household of William Captain that includes 7 individuals listed as “other free persons,” and one white female that was of the age of 26 but not more than 45.



The remainder of the 132 listed under the column “other free persons,” are scattered among a number of families that are primarily white. It is difficult to know whether they were part of the family or merely servants. The largest group of these is part of the household of John Pointdexter Jr. That household is composed of 8 white males, 4 white females, 7 other free persons and 12 slaves.