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Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Slaveholders and Slaves in the
Septennial Census

Septennial Census Listings

About the Pennsylvania Septennial Census

The State of Pennsylvania took an enumeration of taxable inhabitants every seven years. Known as the Septennial Census, this enumeration also listed slaves in each county, by township, for some of the years. The amount of information on the slaves varies greatly by county. Franklin County lists the full names of slaves, their age, and sometimes their owners. Only those townships that returned listings for slaves are listed on this page.

Septennial Census of 1828

Antrim Township--Slaves

Ceaser Fullarton, age 70
Hanna McLanahan, age 60
Rhoda Davidson, age 65
Rosa, age 90

Septennial Census of 1835

Fannet Township--Slaves

"Phillis a woman of colour belonging to Messrs Saml & Matthew Coultier held as a slave for life age about 70 years."

Note: Samuel and Matthew Coultier were listed as taxables with the occupation of "farmer."

Septennial Census of 1842

Antrim Township--Slaves

"Negroe Cilor (Cloe?) Rench (belongs to Hugh McKee) 75 yrs."

Note: Hugh McKee was listed as a taxable, with the occupation of "farmer." I am unsure about the spelling of the slave's name, as the handwriting on the document was difficult to read.

Fannet Township--Slaves

"Phillas Slave Black 96"

Note: The abbreviated notation should be read as follows: "Phillas, a slave for life, described as Black, aged 96 years." If this is the same person enumerated in the 1835 census, then her age was incorrect on one or the other census.

Source: Septennial Census Returns, 1779-1863; Roll No. 3, Franklin County, 1828-Lancaster County, 1800. Reel No. 0244. Microfilm in the Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg PA.

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