Enslavementto
freedom
A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania
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 Enslaved Persons
- Ceaser Fullarton, age 70
- Hanna McLanahan, age 60
- Rhoda Davidson, age 65
- Rosa, age 90
Septennial Census of 1835
Fannet Township Enslaved Persons
- "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 Enslaved Persons
- "Negroe Cilor (Cloe?) Rench (belongs to Hugh McKee) 75 yrs."
Note: Hugh McKee was listed as a taxable, with the occupation of "farmer." There is uncertainty about the spelling of the enslaved person's name, as the handwriting on the document is difficult to read.
Fannet Township Enslaved Persons
- "Phillas Slave Black 96"
Note: The abbreviated notation should be read as follows: "Phillas, a slave for life, described as Black, aged 96 years." This almost certainly is the same Phillis enumerated in the 1835 census, but with an incorrect estimate of her age.
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, Pennsylvania.
Franklin County Index | Enslavement Main Page | Afrolumens Project Home