Margaret, I'll answer the easy part first. They were still collecting the personal property tax as of a few years ago that I know of and I suspect they still are this year. The tithable part (poll tax) ended in the late 1960's, I think, when voting rights were being extended. As to whether everyone had to pay the tax, essentially they did. Then, as now, there must have been people living "off the record" who escaped taxes, and I expect that the authorities turned a blind eye toward a few people. But, generally, destitution was a fairly serious matter and would have gotten the attention of the Poor Warden or the County Court or the keeper of the Poor House, depending on which time. Tom Margaret Davis wrote: >This is a question that I have been meaning to ask. Did everyone HAVE to pay the tax. Suppose a family had several sons and was destitute what would happen in that case to you know. And how late did they still collect taxes into the 1800's. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Tom Pierce > To: VASHENAN-L@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 4:05 PM > Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Re: PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX LIST-SHENANDOAH CO., VA > > > Norman, > Most people who were subject to militia service were also tithables, but > not vice-versa. A tithable was a person, sometimes 21 but usually 16, > who was subject to the poll tax to support the parish prior to the > Revolution and the County thereafter (I'm not certain of the exact date > of transition, but 1782 would be a fair guess). > In the time period 1782-1786 (please don't take this to mean it was done > differently before 1782 - it's just that evidence is scant), it appears > the local magistrate, or someone in a similar capacity, gathered the tax > lists. Those lists were taken by districts which were probably > magisterial districts. Beginning in 1787, the tax collection was > handled by area corresponding to the militia regimental area. It is > quite possible that, in many instances, the magisterial districts > coincided at least roughly with militia company areas. > It was up to the County Court to excuse folks from the levy, except for > constables, Peter Muhlenberg, and (I'm told) state officials, who were > at times exempted by law. Obviously, if one were old and infirm, or > perhaps one-legged from Revolutionary service, then the County Court > would be likely to give an exemption since that person would be unable > to easily make payment. > > Tom > > Norman Runyon wrote: > > >Tithable Questions: > > I understand that a person who is called a "Tithable" on the personal > >property tax lists is, generally, considered to be any able bodied adult > >male age 21 or older? > > Usually, the tax district is described as a "Militia District" so I > >assume that means the persons listed as "Tithables" are those subject to > >callup for militia duty? > > I have been going over several Personal Property Tax Lists where some of > >the older adult males are listed as "0 Tithables" - although they are still > >taxed for their horses. > > In this case would "0 Tithables" mean that they are considered too old > >for militia service? > > Or, perhaps, physically unable to perform militia service? > > Was there an upper age limit for which an adult male would no longer be > >considered a "Tithable"? > >Norman > > > > > >==== VASHENAN Mailing List ==== > >To unsubscribe, send a msg. to VASHENAN-L-request@rootsweb.com or VASHENAN-D-request@rootsweb.com with the word unsubscribe. > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== VASHENAN Mailing List ==== > Shenandoah Co VAGenWeb > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vashenan/vashenan.html > > > >==== VASHENAN Mailing List ==== >To unsubscribe, send a msg. to VASHENAN-L-request@rootsweb.com or VASHENAN-D-request@rootsweb.com with the word unsubscribe. > > > >