Census of Merchants, 1854-1860
Scope and Contents
The records are manuscript volumes, one for each of the first three municipal districts. Each volume is arranged by square, with an outline map of each square (showing square number and/or bounding streets), with the names of the merchants operating in the square (and his partners when applicable), the nature of the businesses conducted, and the exact locations (exact address, fronting street, or corner) of those activities. Also indicated is whether or not the merchants were residents.
Included in this series is a single volume, representing the First District only, of uncertain origin (it may actually be a record of the Street Commissioner's Office) date (it was determined at one point to be an 1860 record, but that date appears to be highly questionable). This volume is arranged by square (showing bounding streets only--no square numbers), with the names and occupations of the various merchants indicated within each square.
Dates
- Creation: 1854-1860
Creator
- From the Collection: Board of City Trusts (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Available on microfilm to registered researchers by appoitnemnt. Request by call number. Originals are closed for research.
Biographical / Historical
The Common Council in 1854 passed ordinance #1442 to organize the offices of Comptroller and Treasurer. This law provided in part for the Treasurer to periodically "cause a list to be prepared and kept in his office, of all persons within the city liable for the license tax, under any ordinance of the Corporation--said list to be arranged by squares or blocks, or ilets.... This particular provision, however, was short lived, as ordinance #1903, passed later in 1854, made it the responsibility of the Street Commissioner to prepare the annual census of merchants.
Extent
4 Volumes (4 volumes, available on 1 roll of microfilm)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Call Number
mf CC840, 1854-1860
Repository Details
Part of the City Archives Repository
City Archives & Special Collections
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans LA 70112
504-596-2610
archivist@nolalibrary.org