198 



History of the New York Census, 



tinguishing by age, sex and color. In tabulating the 

 results, the males from 16 to 60, total number of females 

 — number of male and female children, — number of male 

 and female negroes, — number of male and female negro 

 children, and total above 60 without reference to sex or 

 color, were reported in separate columns. 



This crude conception, with its slight utilitarian features, 

 received a decided improvement in the next official census, 

 taken by order of Governor Hunter in 1712, in compliance 

 with a request of the lords of trade, for information con- 

 cerning the affairs of ,the province. It was made by jus- 

 tices of peace, but the returns were imperfect, " the people 

 being deterred by a simple superstition and observation, that the 

 sickness followed upon the last numbering of the people." This 

 prejudice was doubtless derived from a passage in sacred 

 history, and has not entirely disappeared at the present 

 day. I have not known of its being met by the census 

 takers of modern times, yet in its application to a count of 

 the converts resulting from a religious revival, it has been 

 gravely objected, that the summary punishment executed 

 upon the Hebrews in the days of King David, should 

 serve as a warning against a similar trespass. The subdi- 

 visions of the census of 1712, were into whites and blacks. 

 The former into males and females, and each of these 

 by the ages under 16, — from 16 to 60, and over 60. The 

 blacks were classed as male and female, and of each sex 

 those under and over 16 years of age. 



In 1714, a partial census, with a similar classification 

 was made. 



In 1723, a census reported the population as whites, and 

 negro and other slaves, and each of these classes as men, 

 women, male children and female children. 



In 1731, and 1737, similar censuses were classified in 

 like manner, excepting that 10 years, was defined as the 

 limit of childhood. 



