Hi,

In the Dialectic Discussion notes on p. 40 of Week 3 a figure is quoted "In Virginia , the ratio of free colonists to slaves was nearly 1:1. In South Carolina it was approximately 1:2"

My kids' question is this: What constitutes a free person? Is it an adult white male? A property owner? Are women and children included in that number?

Does anyone know? Or know where to look into this more?

Thanks
Christina

For a kind of neat tool check out the US Census records.

Here's the 1790 overview:
http://www2.census.gov/prod2/d...cuments/1790m-02.pdf
Page 6 shows a chart that will help you answer this question.

To see more start here:
http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/

Thank you!!! I didn't even think to look for a past census.

My kids will be so excited.

Christian