Sauls Families in the Colleton County, South Carolina, Census (1850)

Moving forward to the 1850 census, we experience a number of changes.  First, all of the free members of a household are listed.  Second, we get some information about them: age, race, birthplace, real estate value, and information about literacy and school attendance.

Some of this information is the same for all 3 of the Sauls families that were in Colleton County during the 1850 census.  All members of each family were white.  (Indicated by the blank box for race.  White was assumed to be the default race.)  All members of each family is listed as having been born in South Carolina.

We find two Sauls families in St. Bartholomew's Parish in Colleton County.  They are listed here:

• John Sauls, age 45
• Census taken: 2 Oct 1850
• Occupation: farmer
• No property value listed
• Cannot read & write
• Sarah, age 36
• Cannot read & write
• Ann, age 18
• Jane, age 7
• John, age 15
• William, age 15
• Charles, age 10
• James, age 6
• George, age 4
• Benjamin, age 2

• Isaac Sauls, age 57
• Census taken: 22 Aug 1850
• Occupation: farmer
• Real Estate Value: $20,000
• Mary, age 54
• Cannot read & write
• Charles, age 25
• Occupation: farmer
• Cannot read & write
• Caleb, age 24
• Occupation: overseer
• David, age 23
• Occupation: clerk
• Rebecca, age 22
• Isaac, age 21
• Attended school within the year
• William, age 18
• Attended school within the year
• Mary Ann, age 13
• Attended school within the year
• Nancy, age 13
• Attended school within the year

It seems likely to me that John and Isaac would be related.  However, there is no indication in the 1850 census of what that relationship might be.  We would likely need other types of documentation to prove that connection.  Also, while both John and Isaac are landowning farmers, Isaac seems to be quite wealthy, where John is probably not.  However, John is not listed as a pauper, either.  It would be noted on the census if it were the case.

I would like to point out, again, that John is the Sauls that brought me to this project.  I suspect his wife is my ancestor.  More on that another time.

A little girl named Eliza Sauls (age 10) also lives in St. Bartholomew's Parish in the household of Sarah Savage.  I have no idea whether or how she might be related to the Sauls families in Colleton County.

The family of Benjamin Sauls lives in St. Paul's Parish in Colleton County.  They are listed here:

• Benjamin Sauls, age 31
• Census taken: 21 Oct 1850
• Occupation: drover
• Real Estate Value: $1339
• Ann J, age 31
• Ellen J, age 1
• Benjamin,Jr., age 4
• Eliza, age 3/12

Benjamin's family is quite young, and it seems like they are growing steadily.

A young man named John Sauls (age 19) lives in St. George's Parish in Colleton County.  He is a laborer in the household of William Fox.

The 1850 Slave Schedule mentions that both Isaac Sauls and Benjamin Sauls owned slaves.  Unfortunately, slaves were considered property, so only their age, gender, and race are recorded.

• Isaac Sauls owned 18 slaves
• Age range: 1-30
• 4 male, 14 female
• 3 mulatto (all children), the rest black
• 12 under the age of 20
• Benjamin Sauls owned 5 slaves
• Age range: 1-35
• 2 male, 3 female
• 1 mulatto, 4 black
• 3 under the age of 20