The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently digitized an unusual census record that documents the residence of Black persons in Princess Anne County, Virginia, in 1863. Digital images can be viewed online at “Census of Black Persons in Princess Anne County, Virginia, 1863” (National Archives Identifier 352794518). It is part of Record Group 393, Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands, 1817-1947.
This census is significant because it was taken seven years before the 1870 census, which is normally the earliest census upon which formerly enslaved persons were listed by name. Thus, it provides a valuable early snapshot of the names, ages, employment, and other information about these individuals and families.
The census was recorded in a small bound volume measuring just 10 1/2 inches in height, 8 inches wide, and just 3/4 inch deep. The printed census form spans two facing pages and asked for each person’s name and the following information:
- Sex - Male or female
- Age - Under 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 45, or over 45
- Condition - Bond (enslaved), free, or contraband
- Residence - Permanent, transient, or how long within the lines
- How Employed - On deserted farms, otherwise employed by the government, or not employed
- Helped by the Government - Wholly or in Part
- Color - Black or mixed
- Able to read [hash mark if yes]
- Remarks - often indicates federal employment, either in general terms, such as "on entrenchment," or specifically, such as "Ordnance Department."
The task of taking of this census was assigned to John J. Graves, Company E, 148th New York Infantry Regiment, who likely wrote the instructions that are on the paper pasted to the inside front cover of the volume. For unknown reasons, the task was reassigned to Hiram H. Huff of Ovid, Seneca County, New York, who belonged to the same company and regiment. Huff then began taking the census on June 23, 1863, according to the paper glued to the inside front cover.
The instructions for taking the census state:
Contraband Department, Norfolk Va., June 19th, 1863
The men detailed to take the census of the negroes will call at every house within our lines - they will take the name of each negroe [sic] with sex, also their ages, whether under 10, between 10 & 20, between 20 & 45, and over 45. They will state whether they are Bond or Free.
If Slaves [sic] whether they are permanent Residents or transient persons. Permanent Residents are those that were residing in the District at the commencement of the Rebellion; those that have come within our lines since, will be classed as transient persons. They will state who are employed on deserted farms and who are otherwise Employed by Government, those who are helped wholley [sic] or in part by Govt. charity, those without employment or visible means of support, those that are able to read, whether they are Black or mixed, whether the wives and minor children have husbands or Father at work for Government?
If so where they are at work. They will be particular to find all and not to get the name of the same person Twice on the list.
They will Groupe [sic] families together as far as practicable.
Why was this census taken? Since war causes disruption and devastation of farming and commerce in areas of conflict, it’s likely that the census was made to determine the quantity of food and other supplies needed to support the civilian population living within the Union Army’s area of control. For example, Major General John A. Dix, writing from Fort Monroe, Virginia, on November 15, 1862, wrote to Assistant Secretary of War P. H. Watson that:
I had an estimate made two weeks ago of the principal articles needed for the population within our lines at Norfolk and vicinity. I am reducing it to greater precision by an actual enumeration of the inhabitants (emphasis added), considerably diminished in number by the war since the last census.” War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 18 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1887), Serial 26, Chapter 30, page 454, online at https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.49015002000314?urlappend=%3Bseq=470%3Bownerid=13510798899773206-474.
After the close of the Civil War this census volume became part of the records held in Washington, DC, by the Adjutant General’s Office (AGO) of the War Department. In 1891, it was found misfiled among “some old records” relating to the Civil War's U.S. Colored Troops. On December 8, 1891, Mr. Woodward of the AGO’s Record and Pension Division turned it over to the AGO’s “Discontinued Commands” Division which filed it under the designation “358 1/2 Va.” with other surviving records of the defunct “War Department Post at Norfolk, Virginia, Office of the Provost Marshal,” which existed during 1862-66.
Hopefully this unusual and unique census will provide Princess Anne County researchers with new information and insights about the county’s Black residents during the American Civil War.
