Black History
"Free Negro" Pays His Taxes in Civil War Virginia
1861, Albemarle County (Virginia) Tax Bill, In Which a "Free Negro" has Paid the Tax on Himself, Very Rare, Choice Very Fine.
This original, preprinted 7.75" x 9.75" form, printed on blue paper, directs the Sheriff of Albemarle County to collect the annual tax on land, slaves, horses, clocks and other categories, plus a "C. & P. Levy" on Whites, land and property, and a Military Levy on land and property. 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, however, this isn't a White man paying his taxes, but a Free Black man paying his own taxes, in the South during the Civil War. The name of the tax payer, written at the top of the front, is "Spotswood Farran (FN)." The meaning of "FN" is unclear until one looks at what tax was paid. On the line for "White Males over 21 years of age," Mr. Farran has written over this: "1 Free Negro." The "FN" clearly indicates that Farran (or Farrar) was a Free Negro, and at the bottom, he has written "FN" on top of "White" for the "C & P Levy" tax. Similar designations in parentheses, such as "Negro" or "Colored," are often found in directories both before and after the Civil War. This document is in excellent condition, with 3 light original folds, light age toning, and a single pinhole in the right margin. The printing and writing are bold and clear. A Rare and Significant Document in Black History.
Albemarle County, in north central Virginia, was created in 1744, and assumed its present boundries in 1777. Since 1761 the county seat has been Charlottesville. Today, this is the only city in the county, and Scottsville, the original county seat, is the only town. The rest of the county is rural with some small, unincorporated villages. Three United States Presidents lived in this county, James Monroe, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello home is located in the county.
"Free Negro" Pays His Taxes in Civil War Virginia
1861, Albemarle County (Virginia) Tax Bill, In Which a "Free Negro" has Paid the Tax on Himself, Very Rare, Choice Very Fine.
This original, preprinted 7.75" x 9.75" form, printed on blue paper, directs the Sheriff of Albemarle County to collect the annual tax on land, slaves, horses, clocks and other categories, plus a "C. & P. Levy" on Whites, land and property, and a Military Levy on land and property. 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, however, this isn't a White man paying his taxes, but a Free Black man paying his own taxes, in the South during the Civil War. The name of the tax payer, written at the top of the front, is "Spotswood Farran (FN)." The meaning of "FN" is unclear until one looks at what tax was paid. On the line for "White Males over 21 years of age," Mr. Farran has written over this: "1 Free Negro." The "FN" clearly indicates that Farran (or Farrar) was a Free Negro, and at the bottom, he has written "FN" on top of "White" for the "C & P Levy" tax. Similar designations in parentheses, such as "Negro" or "Colored," are often found in directories both before and after the Civil War. This document is in excellent condition, with 3 light original folds, light age toning, and a single pinhole in the right margin. The printing and writing are bold and clear. A Rare and Significant Document in Black History.
Albemarle County, in north central Virginia, was created in 1744, and assumed its present boundries in 1777. Since 1761 the county seat has been Charlottesville. Today, this is the only city in the county, and Scottsville, the original county seat, is the only town. The rest of the county is rural with some small, unincorporated villages. Three United States Presidents lived in this county, James Monroe, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello home is located in the county.
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Auction details
Coins-Currency-Autographs-Americana
9:00 AM PT - May 15th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
