Census of the Second District of the City of New Orleans, 1804
Scope and Contents
The record is a bound volume in English and French, signed "H.A. Heins, Commissaire de 2d Quartier" and dated June 1, 1804. The census counts residents in three broad categories: whites, free persons of color, and enslaved people. For whites and free persons of color, the following information is recorded:
- names of male residents (sometimes only a surname) and their wives (usually listed only as "Madame ...") or other adult women living in the household
- the profession and employment of the male (the distinction between these two categories is blurred)
- the age of males and female
- the number of boys and girls living in the household, and, usually, their ages
- the number of male and female adult and juvenile enslaved in the household is also tallied, but no names are recorded
- a final column, labelled "Observations," indicates the head of household's military status, listing the company in which he served (e.g. "Capt. Chew's," "Fire Co.," "Orleans Ranger") or describes his rank (e.g. "Officier de milice," "Officer of Dragoons"); one entry in this column reads "lame at present"
- several other notes indicate that a person intends to leave the City. On several occasions, for free persons of color, the column contains a brief note about the circumstances under which the person was freed.
Dates
- Creation: 1804
Conditions Governing Access
Available on microfilm to registered researchers by appointment. Originals are closed for research.
Requesting Materials
Biographical / Historical
On April 19, 1804, Governor William C.C. Claiborne wrote to the Mayor and Municipality of New Orleans asking that in order to assist in the reorganization of the militia in New Orleans, a census be made of "all free male white inhabitants of this city, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five." In the Municipal Council session of April 21, 1804, Mayor Bore informed the Council of the governor's request and, at that time, "one of the members" proposed that "a general census of the inhabitants of both sexes in the City and Banlieu of New Orleans" also be taken. The Council agreed and appointed Messrs. Faurie, Petit, and Donaldson as Commissaries, or Commissioners, instructing them "to select persons capable to make this General Census." On April 25, 1804, the Council resolved "that the Commissioners of the Districts ['Commissaires de Quartier'] will be notified that they are authorized to take a capable person to assist them in taking the Census of the Citizens of the City and Banlieu of New Orleans, and that they shall be granted up to $50.00 as indeminification."
Two additional references to this census appear in the Municipal Council proceedings: a complaint on May 30, 1804 that the census had been delayed by Commissaries who failed to send in their census ("in particular that of Mr. Randall") and a resolution on June 6, 1804 that the Governor be furnished with "a general recapitulation of the number of individuals able to carry arms, including the census of the commissioners and census of the Syndics of the districts and other informations he may desire on the subject. . . ."
Of this material, only the census of the "2nd Quartier" has survived in the City Archives. It is not clear from the record or from available sources what area of the city was encompassed by the Second District. It may correspond to the "Second Ward," identified in the Deliberations of the Cabildo as follows: "From [Cavilier's] residence on Orleans Street to Bourbon Street--follow the sidewalk to Bienville Street--down to the river, and up to the Plaza, ending at the Capital House."
Extent
1 Volumes (available on 1 roll of microfilm)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Call Number
mf TK840, 1804
Processing Information
Originally described and filmed as "Mayor's Office. Census of the City of New Orleans, 1804."
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