Black History
1852 Tax Form For “14 Blacks” and “Male Free Negroes”
1852-Dated, Partially-Printed Document, Albemarle County (Virginia) Tax Bill, Includes Tax on 14 Blacks and “Male Free Negroes,” Choice Very Fine.
This original, Partially-Printed 4” x 8” Form directs the Sheriff of Albemarle County to collect the annual tax on land, Blacks (Slaves), horses, clocks and other categories, plus a “County Levy” on White adults and Blacks. The term “Slaves” is not used, but one can assume that Blacks means Slaves because this form also has a tax category for “Male free negroes.” The name of the person or firm being taxed is handwritten at the top, the amounts have been filled in by hand, and the document is signed at the bottom. In this case, Joseph Campbell had 14 Slaves on his 709 acres of land, and was levied for 1 White. This tax bill is in excellent condition, the paper being still fairly bright on the front, and lightly age toned on the back. An interesting document from the pre-Civil War South, suitable for framing and display.