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Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania United States Direct Tax of 1798United States Direct Tax of 1798
for
Bethel Township, East Hanover Township, Heidelberg Township,
Lebanon Township, and Londonderry Township. Gladys Bucher Sower. Softcover, 2004, 8.5 x 11, New, Index, 186 pp.
The information in this book provides a complete snapshot of every 1798 land and property owner in (he five townships which now comprise Lebanon County. The Direct Tax of 1798 (also known as the �Window Tax,� �Glass Tax,� and �Hot Water Tax�), was imposed by the US government to raise revenue for a potential war with France. The tax was repealed in 1799, but the records relating to Bethel, East Hanover, Heidelberg, Lebanon, and Londonderry Townships are extant; they allow us to gain a rare glimpse into the past showing us how our ancestors lived. Historians, genealogists and owners of old deeds can find information on family homesteads, the surrounding buildings, acreage owned, and value of the property in 1798. Because widows were taxed, their ownership of property is included. Neighbors of property owners are identified as well, allowing the reader to reconstruct a neighborhood. In some cases, buildings of the owner, such as grist/saw mill, smith shop, weaver shop, tan yard, etc., allow the n~ader to identify the occupation of the ownei The tax called for the identification of slave owners, along with the number of slaves they owned. Dimensions of buildings are listed, telling us that in many cases, an entire home belonging to our ancestor would now fit into our present-day living room. This book contains an abundance of information; it is a unique tax list for historians, genealogists, descendants, and researchers. Gladys Bucher Sowers is a native of Lebanon County and has published articles in a variety of journals Including Der Reggeboge, Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society; and the Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association. She is the author of Hessian Prisoners and Their Employers in the Lebanon Township Area, the 2002 publication of the Lebanon County Historical Society. S0821 ISBN: 1-58549-821-1 |