|
History of the First United
States Census of Kentucky
The
first Federal census was
undertaken following an “Act
Providing for the Enumeration of
the Inhabitants of the United
States” Approved March 1, 1790.
At that
time, the present Commonwealth
of Kentucky was a part of
Virginia, although they were in
the process of trying to form a
separate state. This movement
resulted in the formation of the
Territory of Kentucky on July
26, 1790. Kentucky was formally
admitted into the Union on June
1, 1792.
In the
act authorizing the first
enumeration, Kentucky was
classed as a separate district
and the United States Marshall
for the District of Kentucky was
allowed $250. The actual taking
of the census was ordered to
begin on the first Monday in
August 1790 and to be completed
within nine months. This first
census began After
Kentucky’s separation from
Virginia.
The
Census was completed and the
returns sent to Washington and
filed with the State Department.
When the British burned the
Capitol at Washington during the
War of 1812, the original Census
records were destroyed.
The form
used for this First Census
called for the following
information:
1.
Names of heads of
families
2.
Free white males of 16
years and older, including
heads of families.
3.
Free white males under 16
years.
4.
Free white females,
including heads of families
5.
All other free persons
6.
Slaves
The returns for Kentucky showed:
15,154
Free white males of 16 years and
older, including heads of
families.
17,057
Free white males under 16
years.
28,922
Free white females, including
heads of families.
114
All other free persons.
12,430 Slaves.
73,677 Total
number of inhabitants reported.
Click on the
Thumbnail above to see the way
the Counties were laid out in
1790 and today. |
