This census was taken because it was mandated by the consitution and signed into law by President George Washington. It was to be a simple enumeration of "inhabitants." The population of the United States in 1790 turned out to be a little over 3 million not including slaves or untaxed Native Americans. The Revolutionary War was not far behind us and one of the purposes for the census was to determing the number of men eligible for military service.The information included in the 1790 census was name of head of household, number of free white mailes 16 years and upwards, number of free white mailes under 16, number of free white females, number of all other free persons, number of slaves, county and sometimes town (or district of residence.
Much of the 1790 census was destroyed in the War of 1812, some states totally, some states partially. Sometimes tax lists are available to help find the names of early residents.
Tennessee - There are no 1790 schedules for Tennesee, Washington and Mero Districts were enumerated in 1791 by direction of the territorial governor. Tennessee became a state in 1796..
Next Page: The 1800 Census or Fence Post Tallies
This TNGenWeb Project website is hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit web-hosting service solely supported by tax-deductible donations. If this website has provided you with useful information, please consider making a donation to USGenNet to help keep websites like this online.