Seeking meanings to information on 1850 & 1860 Slave Schedules

Question

I am researching my enslaved ancestors. Why are mulatto slaves listed as "fugitives" on the 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules? What does "fugitive from the state" mean?

Cara Jensen · Answer

Dear Ms. Pierce, &#160; Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! &#160; Column 6 on the 1850 & 1860 U.S. Census Schedule No. 2 - Slave Inhabitants &ldquo;fugitive from the state&#8221; was meant to enumerate &ldquo;the number of uncaught escaped slaves in the past year&#8221;.&#160; For information about the 1850 & 1860 U.S. Census, see the Census Bureau technical documentation and questionnaires as well as the FamilySearch Research wiki for United States Census Slave Schedules . &#160; We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research! &#160;

Susannah Brooks · Answer

Mulatto slaves are not normally listed in the 1850 & 1860 slave schedules as "fugitive from the state".&#160; Without being able to see the schedule you are referencing, I would assume that the slave owner was listing all the slaves that he owned including one or more who had escaped or fled, who happened to be mulatto.

Seeking meanings to information on 1850 & 1860 Slave Schedules

Top Replies