[MANUSCRIPT TAX LEDGER FOR THE EIGHTH ASSESSMENT DISTRICT OF NEW ORLEANS IN RECONSTRUCTION-ERA LOUISIANA, GIVING INFORMATION ON THE VALUE OF MORE THAN A THOUSAND COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES].

[Louisiana]: [Lewis, Charles]:

Published by [New Orleans. 1869-1870].

A rare surviving ledger from Reconstruction-era New Orleans, containing tax assessment records for the Eighth Assessment District in 1869 and 1870. Most of the properties listed herein are in the heart of New Orleans, including the French Quarter. The ledger is labeled "No. 1" on the front board, and indicates it was kept by a tax assessor named Charles Lewis, though the entries are made by at least two different hands. The text is comprised of ledger entries organized by squares within the city of New Orleans, listing the streets bounding each particular square, and containing the taxable entities in each square. For example, Square 12, bounded by Ursulines Ave., Gallatin St., Hospital, and Peters St. lists entries for eleven residential "taxable persons," their lot numbers, measurements, and real estate value in both 1869 and 1870. There are also eleven separate entries, locations, lot numbers, and amounts of commercial capital for various businesses in Square 12; the businesses are specified in the "Remarks" column, and include coffee houses, liquor stores, feed stores, and a vegetable wholesaler. A couple of the squares are entirely residential in nature. The remainder of the ledger continues in the same manner, relating important information on the residential and commercial makeup of New Orleans just after the Civil War, with the last few pages reporting personal property brought forward from other ledgers and a recapitulation of each square. In total, the ledger reports names of property owners, real estate values, commercial capital amounts, and types of businesses for almost 1,300 residents and businesses in Reconstruction New Orleans, providing a rich foundation for further research. The front pastedown bears an attractive label from John W. Madden, Stationer, Printer and Blankbook Manufacturer at 73 Camp Street in New Orleans. [128]pp. Folio. Contemporary three-quarter calf and black pebbled cloth boards, gilt leather label on front board. Most cloth on front board, and calf on spine and lower outer corner of front board perished, rear board worn and scuffed. Front board almost completely detached, textblock tender in some places. Minor occasional foxing and spotting to text. Overall good condition. Seller Inventory # 56244

Bibliographic Details

Title: [MANUSCRIPT TAX LEDGER FOR THE EIGHTH ...
Publisher: [New Orleans. 1869-1870].