Skip to content

Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Record of taxes on property, including enslaved persons, owned by John Rouzee

November 12, 1839

Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Source image for Record of taxes on property, including enslaved persons, owned by John RouzeeLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This handwritten, single page document is an account of taxes owed by Edward Rouzee to the Sheriff of Essex County for the year 1839. The taxable property is listed as "29 slaves, 14 horses, and 1 gig," as well as six hundred and fifteen (615), two hunred and seventy-nine (279), one hundred and six (106) and eighty-seven (87) acres of land, twenty-five (25) county and poor levies at one (1) dollar and twenty-four (24) cents each, and fee to the clerk of Essex. The total tax amount due was sixty-one (61) dollars and twenty-eight (28) cents. It was recorded that payment was recieved from Robert P. Waring on November 12, 1839. On the reverse is written "Edward Rouzee, $61.28." Both sides are written black ink.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.104.57

Continue exploring Series 1

Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →Business & Enterprise →

Explore all Series 1 cards →