Marge, I do not have the Yantis book. However, my sense was that the tax in question is property tax, and adults could be exempt only as indigent, physically deficient or metnally deficient. Anyone OWNING land was not exempt from taxes as far as I can see during this period except maybe extreme old age for veterans. Look how many times land was sold (and still is) because of back taxes owed. Illness or old age were the only ways slaves were exempt from taxes, as far as I know. However, mental illness is not the ONLY reason fathers left sons' (or daughters') property in trust. In many cases (see old Baptist preacher Harris), the father was afraid the heir would waste or squander away the inheritance through drink, gambling, wild women, or bad friends - thus assigning trustees for that heir's share. In the case of daughters, the fathers were often protecting the inheritance from untrusted sons-in-law. So, I think the researcher is in trouble if mental illness is assumed without any other "clues." But no, I don't think it gets you out of paying land taxes unless you are also indigent . Property taxes may be another matter entirely. I am going to also copy this to the county site to further confuse the issue. Mgbrown105@aol.com wrote: > Re: the message from Archdon per the Brawner question, citing Netti Yantis, > this just doesn't ring true to me. Do you have her book to check? Think > that may be a later reading of exemptions. Just guessing, but I know > mentally retarded adults paid no taxes! Just curious. Margie

I don't think being a woman exempted one from tax if one were also the head of househould. One of my Shirley ancestors remained unmarried and is on the tax lists for many years. Norma ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Leigh Boisseau" <deanie@gamewood.net> To: <VAPITTSY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 2:18 PM Subject: [VAPITTSY-L] Re: John Brawner & exemptions > Marge, I do not have the Yantis book. However, my sense was that the tax in > question is property tax, and adults could be exempt only as indigent, > physically deficient or metnally deficient. Anyone OWNING land was not exempt > from taxes as far as I can see during this period except maybe extreme old age > for veterans. Look how many times land was sold (and still is) because of back > taxes owed. Illness or old age were the only ways slaves were exempt from > taxes, as far as I know. > > However, mental illness is not the ONLY reason fathers left sons' (or > daughters') property in trust. In many cases (see old Baptist preacher > Harris), the father was afraid the heir would waste or squander away the > inheritance through drink, gambling, wild women, or bad friends - thus > assigning trustees for that heir's share. In the case of daughters, the > fathers were often protecting the inheritance from untrusted sons-in-law. > > So, I think the researcher is in trouble if mental illness is assumed without > any other "clues." But no, I don't think it gets you out of paying land taxes > unless you are also indigent . Property taxes may be another matter entirely. > > I am going to also copy this to the county site to further confuse the issue. > > > > Mgbrown105@aol.com wrote: > > > Re: the message from Archdon per the Brawner question, citing Netti Yantis, > > this just doesn't ring true to me. Do you have her book to check? Think > > that may be a later reading of exemptions. Just guessing, but I know > > mentally retarded adults paid no taxes! Just curious. Margie > > > ==== VAPITTSY Mailing List ==== > New folks are joining the list everyday. Have you posted your surnames and/or queries recently? > >