Reuben Fugate & the 1830 Census

Census Sunday
Brown Research
Brown-Mannin-Fugate Line
By Don Taylor

Introduction

Following families in the early census records is always tricky, and a census record is often completely different from expectations. Such is the case concerning Reuben Fugate and the 1830 Census.

Reuben died in 1833; the 1830 Census shows him living in Bath County, Kentucky. Reuben’s two daughters were married and living elsewhere. My records suggest Catherine was the same age as Reuben, about 50 years old, in 1830.

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Censuses

1830 Census[i]

• Name: Ruben Fugit
• Event Type: Census
• Event Date: 1830
• Event Place: Bath, Kentucky, United States
• Event Place (Original): Bath, Kentucky, United States
• Page Number: 225
• Affiliate Publication Number: M19
• Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

• – 1 – – – – 1
• Male, 40-50 – Reuben, age 49 or 50.
• Male, 5 to 10 – Unknown male.
• – 1 – – – 1
• Female, 30 to 40 – Apparent wife Catherine, whose age should be 49 or 50
• Female, 5 to 10 – Unknown female,
•               Rachael was about 27 in 1830, so it is not her.
•               Her four boys are not listed here.
•               Grizzela was about 24 in 1830,
•               Her son’s (Reuben’s) birthdate is unknown but was before 1833, as he is mentioned in the elder Reuben’s will.

Enslaved people

• 1 – – – – –
• Male, under 5 (Possibly Smith.)
• 1 2 1 – – –  (Possibly Sarah, Caroline, Mary, & Didama.)
• Female, Under 10
• Female, 10 to 24
• Female, 10 to 24
• Female, 24 to 36

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Conflicts

• Reuben’s 1833 will mentions two negro men, Antony (40) and George (30). It also mentions five other negros, Sarah, Caroline, Mary, Didama, & Smith. The five potentially fit the census’s record of enslaved people, but the two adult males are not mentioned. The two negro men not being mentioned is concerning, but they may not have become part of the household until after Reuben moved to Missouri.
• Having Catherine’s age off by ten years or more is concerning. Either Catherine was considerably younger than my other records suggest, or this isn’t her.
• I’m not too concerned about the unknown boy and unknown girl, 5 to 10 years old.
• The only Fugate enumerated in Ralls County, Missouri, is James Fugate. His family unit doesn’t suggest Reuben and Catherine lived with him. So, I don’t believe the Fugates moved to Missouri before 1830.

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Conclusion

I’m not 100% convinced this 1830 Census record portrays Reuben Fugate, whose wife was Catherine. I suspect it is, but until I find something to explains the family unit as described or indicates that Reuben and his family stayed in Kentucky until after the 1830 Census date, I’m indicating this record only tentatively describes Reuben Fugate’s household. I’m hoping the 1820 Census and other records will provide additional clarity.

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Follow-up

• Continue researching Reuben Fugate’s life[ii].
• Double-check the birth dates for Rachel (Fugate) Mannin’s five eldest boys.
• Determine if the Reuben Fugate of Bath County, Kentucky, in 1830 is the same Reuben Fugate who died in Ralls County, Missouri, in 1833.
• Research Reuben’s children’s locations in 1830 to ensure he wasn’t living with one of his children.
• Research James Caldwell and John Musick of Ralls County to determine their possible relationship to Reuben Fugate.

Endnotes:

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[i] “United States Census, 1830”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGG-Y63 : Thu Jul 20 14:22:03 UTC 2023), Entry for Ruben Fugit, 1830.