Thomas Pankey & the Early Censuses

Howell Research
Howell-Pankey Line
Census Sunday
By Don Taylor

Following families in the early census records is always tricky. Today, I am looking at the 1810 Census and Thomas (and Martha) Pankey of Cumberland County, Virginia.

From my other research, I believe the Thomas Armstrong Pankey household of 1810 should consist of the following:

• • Males
    • Thomas Age 46
    • FNU Male Age 20
    • Thomas Age 9 to 11
    • Francis Age 3
  • Females
    • Martha Age 46
    • FNU girl Age 22
    • Mary Age 15 to 18
    • Nancy Age 14 to 15
    • Elizabeth Age 5

1810 Census[i]

• Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2            Francis & Thomas
• Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1          FNU
• Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over: 1       Thomas
• Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 3        Elizabeth
  • Possibly Henrietta and a new FNU
• Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 2       Nancy & Mary
• Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over: 1     Martha

It would appear that the 22-year-old female had married and was gone from the household.

It would also appear that the FNU girl under 10 is a heretofore unknown girl or is the same girl that I thought might be 22 years old, and I have her age entirely wrong.

Earlier Censuses

The 1790 Population Schedule for Virginia is lost.[ii]

The 1800 Population Schedule only includes Accomack and Louisa counties.[iii]

Conclusion

I believe this Census reflects the Thomas Armstrong House of Cumberland County, Virginia, in 1810.

Endnotes:

[i] 1810 Census, NARA, 1810 Census – Thomas  Pankey. Year: 1810; Census Place: Cumberland, Cumberland, Virginia; Roll: 68; Page: 143; Image: 00282; Family History Library Film: 0181428. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH25-R4C.

[ii] FamilySearch – Virginia Censuses Existing and Lost. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Virginia_Censuses_Existing_and_Lost

[iii] ibid.