State Census returns for the period 1818 to 1880. The series consists of county population enumeration compiled by the county sheriff and tax assessor. The returns vary considerably in the type of data collected and completeness. The records are arranged alphabetically by county and then chronologically by the date of the return. Due to the extremely fragile nature of the originals, a microfilm copy is provided for use. Where a microfilm copy is not available, the original may be used.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Survey of Mississippi State Census Returns: 1818-1880

From the creation of the state in 1817, up until the year 1880, the Mississippi legislature, through statutes and constitutional requirement, provided for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the state. In the state Constitutions of 1817, 1832, 1865, 1868, and 1890, the legislature was authorized to, at various periods of time, provide for the taking of the state census.

A total of fourteen statutes were passed between the years 1817 and 1880. Although each act was designed to establish the procedures used for the taking of the census, there were differences in those procedures during each period of enumeration.

Statutes Passed Under the Constitution of 1817

In the first constitution of the state of Mississippi, adopted in 1817, the provisions for the taking of the state census were outlined in Article 3, sections 9 and 10. The state legislature, in the first legislative session and again in 1820, was authorized to provide by statute for the enumeration of inhabitants of the state for periods of no less than three and no more than every five years.

I. 1818 Census Statute

The first of these statutes was passed on February 5, 1818. The statute (Laws of Mississippi, 1817-1818, page 87) gave the responsibility of the enumeration to the tax assessors in each and every county in the state. The enumeration was to consist of all the free white inhabitants in the state, slaves, and free people of color. It was required that distinctions be made between the sexes, their ages (over or under 21 years of age), and all inhabitants liable to pay state taxes. The statute gave no exact date for the enumeration to begin.

Before the assessors embarked on their duties of census taking, they were required to take and subscribe an oath, swearing to take the census of their respective counties to the best of their knowledge and ability. The assessors were also required to administer an oath to the heads of families they interviewed, attesting to the truthfulness of the information given to the assessor. Any refusal on the part of any individual, or the failure of the assessor to faithfully execute his duties in cooperation with the provisions of the statute, resulted in the levying of financial penalties, which could be sued for in the county courts.

The enumeration returns were due to the Secretary of State before the next legislative session. The assessors were to sign and certify their respective returns in order that once their returns were approved they could receive just compensation for their efforts.

II. 1820 Census Statute

The next census statute passed by the legislature occurred during its third session, on January 24, 1820 (Laws of Mississippi 1820, page 3). This statute required the county tax assessors to make an enumeration of all free white inhabitants, distinguishing between the sexes and reporting the number of taxable citizens. No other inhabitants, such as slaves or transients, were to be counted. There was also a stipulation in this statute that the inhabitants of incorporated townships were to be given separate distinction from other citizens of the county. There was no exact date set for the commencement of the enumeration.

The assessors, after taking and subscribing their oaths, and in turn taking sworn statements from the citizens they counted, were to report their returns to the Secretary of State, on or before the meeting of the next legislative session. Failure to comply with the procedures outlined in the statute by the assessors or any of the inhabitants interviewed for the census would result in their being fined. The assessors were entitled to compensation after the signed and certified enumeration returns were accounted for by the Secretary of State.

III. 1822 (1823)Census Statute

The third census act passed by the legislature during its sixth session in 1822 (Laws of Mississippi 1822, page 24) differed from previous statutes in that the enumeration was to be a record of births and deaths that occurred in the state for that year. The county tax assessors were required to make this enumeration as they prepared their annual assessments. They were also required to make such an enumeration for three succeeding years.

The enumeration was to include six different columns that would show the following distinctions:

  1. total number of white births
  2. total number of white deaths
  3. total number of itinerants
  4. total number of persons over the age of 70
  5. total number of slave births
  6. total number of slave deaths

The statute did not require the assessors or the citizens interviewed having to take an oath attesting to the truthfulness of their statements. Nor was it required that the populations of incorporated townships be given separate distinction.

The assessors were directed to make their reports of this enumeration, on or before the next legislative session, to the Secretary of State, who was responsible for compiling the data from all counties and submitting his report to the legislature. The assessors were to receive extra compensation for the work done in gathering information for this enumeration, although the actual work coincided with the regular duties.

IV. 1825 Census Statute

On January 29, 1825, during the eighth session of the Mississippi legislature, the fourth act providing for the taking of a state census was passed. This act, (Laws of Mississippi, 1824-1838, page 57), required that an exact enumeration of all the free white inhabitants of the state be made.

The county tax assessors, responsible for making the enumeration of the inhabitants of their respective counties, were required to make certain distinctions in the information they compiled, regarding the categories of sex, taxable inhabitants, and persons over 70 years of age. The assessors were also required to show the total numbers of births and deaths that occurred in the free white population of their respective counties during 1824, and to show separate returns for incorporated townships in their counties. The returns were due back to the Secretary of State's office on or before the next legislative session. There was no specific date on which the assessors were to begin the enumeration.

Once again the tax assessors and the citizens they interviewed were obligated to make sworn statements attesting to the true nature of the information compiled and reported. Any refusal by any party to cooperate with the terms of this statute were subject to fines that could be sued for in any county court.

V. 1830 Census Statute

The last statute under the Constitution of 1817 that dealt with the taking of a state census was passed by the legislature on January 30, 1830. This act, (Laws of Mississippi 1830, chap. 81), required the tax assessors for each county in the state to make an exact enumeration of all the free white inhabitants of their respective counties. The enumeration was to show distinctions between male and female inhabitants, list the number of taxable inhabitants, and to distinguish the populations of incorporated townships from the rest of the county.

The assessors were to sign and certify the returns and submit their findings to the Secretary of State before the meeting of the next legislative session. No specific date was assigned for the commencement of the enumeration. For their efforts in taking the census, the assessors were entitled to financial compensation.

Before the assessors entered upon the duties of census taking, they were required to sign and subscribe an oath that stated they would take the census of their counties to the best of their knowledge and ability. They were also authorized to administer an oath to the citizens they enumerated, swearing them to give a true and faithful account of themselves and the information they related to the assessors. Any failure on the part of the assessors or the people they interviewed for the enumeration to cooperate with the terms of the law would result in the levying of fines against them.

Statutes Passed Under the Constitution of 1832

When the state of Mississippi adopted a new Constitution in 1832, new stipulations for the taking of the state census were included. The provisions for the taking of the state census as written in Article 3, section 9, were that the legislature should authorize the enumeration of the inhabitants of the state for periods of no less than every four years, nor more than every six years, until the year 1845. Thereafter, the periods of enumeration should be no less than every four years, nor more than every eight years.

VI. 1833 Census Statute

On March 2, 1833, during its sixteenth session, the state legislature passed a new measure to provide for the taking of a census of Mississippi. However, this new act (Laws of Mississippi 1833, chap. 91) did not differ significantly from previous enumeration statutes.

The responsibility of taking the enumeration remained in the hands of the county tax assessors. The enumeration was to include all the free white inhabitants, distinguishing between males and females, and list separate returns for incorporated townships. The assessors' returns were due back to the Secretary of State by November 1, 1833, signed and certified. The statute did not specify a date for the assessors to begin the enumeration.

This census act retained the requirement of oath taking by the assessors and by the inhabitants enumerated. The assessors also continued to receive financial compensation for the work they did on the census. Penalties against those persons, assessors or private citizens, who failed to comply with the terms set forth in this act remained intact. This enumeration act was the first to give the responsibility for suing for the fines set forth as penalties to the office of the district attorney of the proper jurisdiction.

VII. 1837 Census Statute

The act requiring the taking of the census in Mississippi for the year 1837 resulted in one of the more involved and detailed enumerations made. This act, passed during the twentieth session of the legislature on January 20, 1837, (Laws of Mississippi 1837, page 8) was the first act that authorized the state to print up official census forms for the use of the enumerators. The Secretary of State was required to send five copies of this act to the boards of police of each county, along with five copies of blank census returns, by March 5, 1837. The boards of police were then responsible for delivering the forms to the county tax assessors, who were responsible for taking the enumeration. In consideration for their services, the enumerators were entitled to financial compensation. This act also allowed an enumerator to appoint assistants to help take the census.

If there was no assessor for the county, or if the assessor was unable to carry out the duty of census taking, the new statute provided for the appointment of a substitute. The responsibility fell to the county board of police. The board was required to call a special court designed to appoint some suitable person to take over the enumeration. The enumeration was to commence within five days once a substitute was appointed.

The enumeration for 1837 required that the returns show an account of every inhabitant of the county. The return forms were divided into thirteen separate columns designed to show the following distinctions:

  1. The names of the heads of families
  2. Number of white males over 45 years of age
  3. Number of white males between the ages of 21 and 45
  4. Number of white males between the ages of 18 and 21
  5. Number of white males under the age of 18
  6. Number of white females over the age of 16
  7. Number of white females under the age of 16
  8. Number of male slaves in each family
  9. Number of female slaves in each family
  10. Total number of free white inhabitants in each county
  11. Number of acres of land cultivated by each family in 1836
  12. Number of bales of cotton produced by each family in 1836
  13. Number of incorporated cities and towns within the county, and their total number of free white inhabitants

Inhabitants were to be counted as those persons who listed their place of permanent residence as being within the county by the date the enumeration commenced, March 5, 1837. Persons who normally resided in a certain household, but were absent from it during the enumeration were also to be counted.

The returns made by the assessors were to be signed and certified as to being accurate and true. Assessors were not required to take and subscribe an oath swearing to faithfully execute their duties before commencing the enumeration, nor were they required to administer an oath to the citizens during the enumeration. The returns were due back to the county boards of police by May 1, 1837. The boards were then to approve and certify the returns and transmit them to the Secretary of State by May 5, 1837.

Penalties for noncooperation with the provisions for the taking of the state census resulted in fines that could be sued for by the district attorney in the county court. Tax assessors, substitute enumerators, enumeration assistants, and private citizens were all subject to pay fines for failure to give correct census information, or refusing to give an accurate account of themselves.

VIII. 1841 Census Statute

The act for the taking of a state census, passed by the Mississippi legislature during its twenty-fourth session on February 22, 1840, (Laws of Mississippi 1840, chap. 134) took its provisions from earlier enumeration statutes that pre-dated the law of 1837.

The county tax assessors were required to make their enumerations of free white inhabitants only. The returns were to have separate enumerations for males and females, and show separate returns for the populations of incorporated townships within the counties.

Before entering upon the duties of census taking, the assessors were required to take and subscribe an oath swearing to truthfully and faithfully enumerate the citizens of their respective counties. The assessors were also required to administer an oath to those inhabitants interviewed for the enumeration swearing to give a truthful account of himself and the members of his household.

The enumeration enacted by this statute was to commence on January 1, 1841. If need be, the assessors could appoint assistants to aid them in the task of enumerating the citizens of their counties. The returns were due to the Secretary of State, signed and certified, on or before February 1, 1841. The tax assessors and the assistants they appointed were entitled to compensation from the state treasury for their efforts in enumerating the inhabitants of their respective counties.

Penalties were enacted against persons who failed to cooperate with the terms of the census statute. Enumerators and the citizens in their jurisdiction were subject to fines that could be sued for by the district attorney in the county court.

IX. 1845 Census Statute

The next enumeration act, passed during the twenty eighth session of the legislature on February 16, 1844, (Laws of Mississippi 1844, chap. 9) was similar to the previous act in that it provided for the enumeration to be taken in the following year. This act also retained many of the same provisions of previous enumeration acts.

The tax assessors were responsible for the enumeration of all the free white inhabitants of their respective counties. The returns were to show the distinction between males and females and give separate enumerations of incorporated townships within the counties. The assessors were required to take and subscribe an oath that swore them to make true and accurate enumeration returns, and to administer an oath to the citizens they interviewed that the information given to the assessors was correct. Assessors were also required to sue for fines against persons who refused to cooperate with the enumeration. If it were necessary, the assessors were allowed to appoint assistants to aid in the taking of the census.

The enumeration was to commence on the first day of January, 1845. The returns, signed and certified by the assessors, were due back to the Secretary of State on or before November 1, 1845. Any failure on the part of the tax assessors to faithfully execute the duties set forth in this act would result in financial penalties against them and would be sued for by the district attorney in the county court.

On approval of the census returns by the office of the Secretary of State, the assessors were entitled to compensation for their efforts in taking the enumeration. In the event that a tax assessor was unable to carry out the enumeration, the duty would fall to the sheriff of that county.

X. 1853 Census Statute

During the thirty-third session of the Mississippi legislature, the tenth act dealing with the enumeration of the citizens of Mississippi was passed on March 11, 1852 (Laws of Mississippi 1850-1852, chap. 36). The provisions of this statute were consistent with the provisions of the statutes of the previous decade

XI. 1860 Census Statute

The census act passed on February 9, 1860, during the fortieth session of the Mississippi legislature, authorized the last enumeration of the inhabitants of the state until after the Civil War. The act, (Laws of Mississippi 1859, chap. 200), would initiate the most detailed enumeration since the census act passed in 1837.

As was the case for the past forty-three years, the duty of enumeration fell to the county tax assessors. However, along with the free white inhabitants, slaves, free Negroes, and mulattoes were to be included in the enumeration. The assessors were to list the numbers in each class and distinguish between males and females. Incorporated townships were entitled to separate distinctions in the census returns.

The enumeration was scheduled to commence on April 1, 1860. Before they began the enumeration, the assessors were required to take and subscribe an oath swearing to faithfully execute the duties of census taking as prescribed by law. The law provided for the appointment by the assessors of persons who would serve as assistants to them during the enumeration. The county sheriffs would take the place of any assessors unable to fulfill this duty.

Part of the ongoing enumeration process required the assessors to administer an oath to the citizens they interviewed that information given to an assessor by any individual was true. As the assessors were held accountable for the accuracy of the enumeration returns, it was their responsibility to file suit against those persons giving false information or refusing to cooperate with the assessors. Likewise, it was left up to the district attorneys of the state to file suit against any enumerators guilty of not following the letter of the law in taking the census.

The returns for the census initiated by this act were due back to the Secretary of State's office by October 1, 1860. Upon approval of the signed and certified returns, the Secretary of State was authorized to allot money from the state treasury to compensate the enumerators for their efforts in taking the state census.

Statutes Under the Constitution of 1865

After the Civil War, in 1865, the Mississippi legislature reinstated the Constitution that had been drafted in 1832. The provisions for the taking of the state census remained the same from the enumerations taken before the war. Only one enumeration would be made before the legislature adopted another constitution in 1868. This enumeration took place in 1866.

XII. 1866 Census Statute

During its forty-seventh session, on December 4, 1865, the legislature passed the first enumeration act of the post-war era (Laws of Mississippi 1865, chap. 7). The census authorized by this act had a totally different character than any other such act in the state's history.

The duty of enumeration would remain with the county tax assessors, who were instructed to make an enumeration of each and every inhabitant in their respective counties. The returns would be recorded on officially printed forms provided by the auditor of public accounts. The forms were designed to show several different distinctions. The inhabitants were to be listed as either being white or belonging to the class of freedmen, free Negroes or mulattoes. Race classifications were further divided to show distinctions between males and females. Under each division that listed the sexes, the inhabitants were classified by age and age divisions were listed under ten different columns in the following manner:

  1. Number of inhabitants 10 years of age and under
  2. Number of inhabitants between 10 and 20
  3. Number of inhabitants between 20 and 30
  4. Number of inhabitants between 30 and 40
  5. Number of inhabitants between 40 and 50
  6. Number of inhabitants between 50 and 60
  7. Number of inhabitants between 60 and 70
  8. Number of inhabitants between 70 and 80
  9. Number of inhabitants between 80 and 90
  10. Number of inhabitants over the age of 90 years

The enumeration was to commence on May 1, 1866. The assessors were instructed to make the enumeration of the inhabitants of their respective counties, with the authorization to fine anyone refusing to render an account of himself for the census. The assessors were also to show separate returns for any incorporated townships within the counties. In case no assessor would be available to take the census for any given county, the duty would fall to the sheriff of that county. Any breach of duty by the assessors would fall under the jurisdiction of the district attorneys

The enumeration returns were due back to the Secretary of State's office on October 1, 1866. The assessors were required to provide a signed affidavit stating that they had truly and accurately taken a census of every single inhabitant of their respective counties. Upon approval of the returns, the assessors were compensated from the state treasury, under certification of the Secretary of State.

Statutes Under the Constitution of 1868

On May 15, 1868, the Mississippi legislature drafted a new constitution, which would serve as the basis of state government throughout the Reconstruction period. The provisions for the taking of the state census (Article 4, section 9) authorized the legislature to provide for the enumeration of the inhabitants and qualified electors of the state during its first session under the new constitution and for a period of every ten years thereafter.

XIII. 1870 Census Statute

During its fifty-second session, the legislature passed a statute on July 9, 1870, entitled, "An act to raise revenue to defray the expenses of the state of Mississippi, and for other purposes," (Laws of Mississippi 1870, chap. 4). One of those other purposes (sections 17 and 18) was the authorization of the enumeration of the inhabitants of the state.

The tax assessors of each and every county in the state were instructed to take an enumeration of every inhabitant in their respective counties. The office of the state auditor was authorized to print up blank return forms for the assessors to use. The forms were to be designed for listing the inhabitants by distinctions of race, sex, and age. Age differences were to be listed as those persons over or under 21 years of age.

The returns were also to list the number of qualified and unqualified electors, with black and white electors listed in separate columns for each county. The qualifications for an elector were determined by provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The Fourteenth Amendment disenfranchised potential voters for "participation in rebellion or other crimes," which alluded to persons who served in the military or civil government of the former Confederate States.

The enumeration was to commence on May 1, 1870. It was to include all persons who resided in the state from that date. The returns were due back to the Secretary of State by October 1, 1870, accompanied by a signed affidavit attesting to the accuracy of the information listed on the returns. Once the affidavit was filed with the Secretary of State's office, the assessor could be paid for his services in taking the census. Any assessor found guilty of filing false returns or in any other way breaching the law, was to be fined and removed from office under the jurisdiction of any competent county court.

XIV. 1880 Census Statute

The last state census was authorized by the Mississippi legislature during its sixty-second session on March 3, 1880. This act (Laws of Mississippi 1880, chap. 15) instituted the most detailed and involved state census to date.

For the first time in the state's history, the county tax assessors were not committed by law to make the enumeration. Instead, the governor was authorized to appoint a commissioner of enumeration for each county to take a census of its citizens. The commissioners held their office for a period of one year from the date of their appointments. Before entering upon the duties of office, the commissioners were required to take and subscribe an oath swearing to faithfully and accurately take the enumeration of inhabitants for their respective counties and only for their counties. The oath was then required to be filed with the office of the county chancery clerk.

The commissioners were authorized to appoint deputy-commissioners, whose primary function would be to undertake the actual door-to-door footwork required for the enumeration. These deputy-commissioners were required to take and subscribe an oath in the fashion of their superiors, but the ultimate responsibility for compiling a true and accurate census for the counties was entrusted to the commissioners of enumeration.

The Secretary of State's office was instructed to print up and distribute the forms used for the census. These forms were to be compiled into enumeration books, with three separate books created for each county. These books were divided into at least five different sections so that the enumerators could record their returns under headings for each county supervisor's district. The first book was to show returns for all male inhabitants over 21 years of age. The second book was to show returns for all female inhabitants over 21 years of age. The third book was to show returns for all male and female inhabitants under 21 years of age.

The enumeration forms themselves were designed to show certain distinctions. The enumeration books created for listing male and female inhabitants over 21 years of age were composed of forms divided into proper columns showing the following distinctions:

  1. Name
  2. Age
  3. Nativity
  4. Occupation
  5. Color (race)
  6. Number of bales of cotton raised by white labor in the year 1879
  7. Number of bales of cotton raised by black labor in the year 1879

The forms for the enumeration books for listing male and female inhabitants under 21 years of age were to have additional columns:

  1. Parent's name
  2. Public school attended
  3. Private school attended
  4. Place of residence

After the Secretary of State's office had properly prepared the three necessary enumeration books for each county, it was required to transmit the books to the commissioners of enumeration through their county's office of the chancery clerk. The Secretary of State was to also cause to be prepared a general enumeration book for his own purposes, in which he would compile the returns from each county and show the totals for the entire state. Upon completing this task, he would then report his findings to the governor who in turn would report to the legislature.

The enumeration authorized by this act was to commence on July 1, 1880. As part of the process of enumeration, the commissioners and their deputies were required to administer an oath to each male claiming to be over 21 years of age, swearing him to answer truthfully as to whether or not he was a qualified voter. The commissioners were to keep a record of the qualified voters and include them in the tally of the enumeration. The totals the commissioner aggregated were to be recorded in columns showing these distinctions:

  1. Total number of males, white and colored respectively, over 21 years of age
  2. Total number of qualified electors
  3. Total number of females, white and colored respectively, over 21 years of age
  4. Total number of males and females, white and colored respectively, under 21 years of age
  5. Total number of inhabitants in the county
  6. Total number of inhabitants according to their respective nativity
  7. Total number of naturalized and unnaturalized foreigners in the county
  8. Total number of inhabitants according to their occupation, white and colored respectively
  9. Total number of inhabitants attending public schools
  10. Total number of inhabitants attending private and other schools
  11. Total number of public, private, and other schools respectively
  12. Total number of bales of cotton raised in the county for the year 1879, by white and colored labor respectively

The returns were due back to the Secretary of State's office on or before September 15, 1880. Before returning them, it was required that the commissioners submit their totals to the county board of supervisors for inspection and approval. If the totals compared accurately to the county's other records, such as poll tax books, then the supervisors and the commissioners were to sign and certify the returns to the Secretary of State's office. Upon receipt and approval of the census returns, the Secretary of State was required to aggregate the returns for each county and record them in his general enumeration book. He was then authorized to issue his certificate on the state treasury, from monies not otherwise appropriated, to cover compensation for the commissioners of enumeration and their deputies for their work in compiling the census.

Provision for Enumeration in the Constitution of 1890

On November 1, 1890, the legislature of the state of Mississippi adopted a new state constitution. This document included a provision for the taking of the state census, primarily designed to apportion voting districts in the state (Constitution of 1890, sections 105 and 256). Such an enumeration was to begin on the first Monday of June in 1895 and to take place once every ten years, thereafter. There are no such census returns resulting from this provision in the collections of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.