Slaves held by James Turner Rittenhouse, Slave Owner

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Nelson, Virginia, United States
Surnames/tags: Slavery Black_Heritage

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James Turner Rittenhouse held slaves for many years.

James Turner Rittenhouse was age 25 in 1840 when the U.S. Federal Census was conducted. He married the previous year, in Apr of 1839. The 1840 U.S. Federal Census lists J. T. Rittenhouse with 3 slaves.^[1]

1840 US Federal Census--St Annes, Albemarle County, Virginia
Name of Head of Family: J T Rittenhouse
Slave Information		Number Held
Slaves, females, under 10		2
Slaves, females, 10 thru 23		1
Total slaves		3

The 1850 U. S. Federal Census Slave Schedule lists Jas. T. Rittenhouse, now aged 35 and living in Nelson County, with 4 slaves.^[2]

1850 U.S. Federal Census -- Slave Schedules			Nelson County, Virginia
Name of Slave Owner		Number of Slaves		Age	Sex	Color
Jas T Rittenhouse		1		34	F	B
		1		14	F	B
		1		30	F	B
		1		7	M	M
Total Slaves		4

The 1860 U. S. Federal Census Slave Schedule shows James T. Rittenhouse, now aged 45, with 10 slaves.^[3]

1860 U.S. Federal Census--Slave Schedules				Nelson County, Virginia
Name of Slave Owner			Number of Slaves		Age	Sex	Color
James T. Rittenhouse			1		43	F	B
			1		34	M	M
			1		24	F	B
			1		21	F	B
			1		20	F	B
			1		17	M	M
			1		8	F	B
			1		4	F	B
			1		3	M	B
			1	[Probably Isaac]	4/12	M	B
Total Slaves			10
Slave houses			2

1860: The infant that is 4 months old is very likely Isaac, the child born to Sarah in 1860.^[4] It isn't yet known which of the women of child-bearing age might represent Sarah.

Sources