I've been intermittently transcribing a 1784 census document for San
Augustin and NE Florida.  It will eventually be published in a compilation of
census documents that I'm preparing for late 18th century/early 19th century
Spanish Louisiana and Florida.
 
    I wanted to mention it to the list because of its archaeological
possibilities.  For San Augustine the census provides the age, sex, family
size of every individual plus origin plus occupation plus religion (there is
even a "judio" from Russia!) plus details on the location and occupation of
each house lot (one could reconstruct a map of houselots from the data given
on each- ultimately all the houselots are pinpointed directly or indirectly
with regard to a public building likely still to exist today or whose
location is known- e.g. churches) plus information on the wealth of the
occupants. There are more than 700 individuals listed for this very diverse
community (most of the 13 colonies are represented plus Great Britain,
France, Minorca, Corsica, Italy, Greece, Transylvania, Germany, etc.) in all
sorts of mostly urban localities (from houses of prostitution to places to
work iron).
 
     The census is the first act of the incoming Spanish administration for a
community that was in the process of vanishing (yes, the document lists who
left, was leaving or intending to leave).  The original is part of the East
Florida collection of the Library of Congress and has been in their hands,
along with much else from this area, since the beginning of the century.
 
    The document is known in the literature, although I don't think it has
been published as such.  I should state that the text available in microfilm
from the Library of Congress for use either at LC or in interlibrary loan
that I have seen is VERY defective.  The photographer only copied EVERY OTHER
PAGE. Also the microfilm was poorly taken and is difficult to read.  The
original Ms. is actually in rather good condition and very easy to use.
 
      In brief, LC has a document of great potential archaeological interest
which I doubt has been used by many (or any?).  Since I don't know anyone
working in this time period (British Florida in the 18th century), I thought
I'd post this information. Anyone interested in learning more about it should
contact me.
 
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                                   Lawrence H. Feldman
                                   Post Office Box 2493
                            Wheaton Maryland 20915-2493
 
                                       301-933-2616
 
 
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                            Indexer - Researcher - Writer
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