Halifax County, NC, Vincent and Vinson in the 1790 Census

Census Sunday
Howell-Vincent/Vinson
By Don Taylor

The 1790 Census drives home the notion that Vinson and Vincent seem to be interchangeable in this family line. The Philip Vinson of the 1800 Census is clearly Philip Vincent in the 1790 Census. His family unit consists is identified as 1 3 4 0 2  10.  That is 1 male over 16, 3 males under 16, and 4 females. All three males between 10 and 26 during the 1800 Census are represented in the males under 16 in the 1790 Census. Likewise, all the females listed in the 1800 census are represented in the 1790 Census.

Philip Vincent            1 3 4 – 2 10    (Left Column – 11th entry down)

So, from the two censuses I believe:

• Philip Vinson/Vincent was born before 1755. (He was over 45 during the 1800 Census)
• The suspected wife of Philip was also born before 1755. (She was also over 45 during the 1800 Census.)
• They appear to have had six children, three boys and three girls.
• 1 boy born 1790 to 1800
• 1 boy born 1784 to 1790
• 2 boys born 1774 to 1787 – One appears to be Burkett (born between 1775 and 1780)
• 3 girls born 1784 to 1790 – No names.

The 1790 Census also includes five households with the surname Vinson. Willis is clearly the same as Willys in the 1800 Census.

• Willis Vinson –         1 1 4 – – 6       (right column – 15^th from bottom)
• John Vinson –           1 1 1 – – 3       (left column – 3^rd from bottom)
• Benjamin Vinson – 1 2 2 – – 5       (right column – 2^nd from top)
• Charles Vinson –     1 3 2 – – 6       (right column – 10^th from bottom)
• Hanna Vinson –       0 0 4 – – 4       (right column 14^th from bottom)

Note: The numbers above represent Free White Males 16 and up, Free White Males under 16, Free White Females, all other persons, slaves, and a total number of people.

If Burkett was born between 1775 and 1780, I would expect him to be reflected in this census as a Free White Male under 16 years of age. All of the households have male members that fit that criteria except for Hanna Vinson.

Based upon the 1800 Census[i], I had tentatively considered Philip to be Burkett’s father. There is nothing in the 1790 Census that would dissuade me from that hypothesis.

If you have evidence that Burkett’s father is not Philip, I would love to hear from you and learn what you have.

ENDNOTES

[i] Internet: Don Taylor Genealogy – Article “Burkett Vincent in the 1800 Census” posted 25 April 2019. https://dontaylorgenealogy.com/2019/04/burkett-vincent-in-the-1800-census.html/