A Glimpse Into 1850s Harrisonburg

 Using the 1850 and 1860 census records, and the Harrisonburg Town Council Minutes for the 1850 decade we can get an idea of what Harrisonburg was like during that period:

 In 1860 there were 75 slave owners in Harrisonburg, and 320 slaves.

 From the Town Council Minutes:

 1849 (year that Harrisonburg was first incorporated)

• It was estimated there were 100 dogs inside the town limits.
• Fines were set for disturbing the peace on Sunday ($2 - $20); playing cards in any public place, barn, stable, shed lot, yard, street or alley ($1 - $20); discharging firearms, exhibiting any stallion or jack, galloping a horse or mule through any street or alley (except on days of public rejoicing or military parades) ($1 - $2)
• Each property owner was required to keep two leather fire buckets of 2 gallon capacity.
• A curfew was in place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. for all slaves, free Negroes and mulattoes. Patrols were summoned to enforce the curfew and were to include all the male inhabitants of the town between the ages of 18 and 60.  Each day eight persons were to patrol the streets from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from May 3 to Nov. 1, and from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. from Nov. 1 to May 1. A steel triangle, two feet each way, was commissioned from Wm. Reherd to be used to summon the street patrol. 

 1854

• The dog population was given as 95.
• Taxes were levied on real estate, titheables, dogs, watches, clocks, buggies, carriages, horses and female slaves
• Any free Negro owing the town taxes and not having any property could be hired out by the town sergeant for a period long enough to pay the taxes.
• The Town owned band instruments apparently used by the “Harrisonburg Sax Horn Band.” The instruments consisted of a drum, 2 sopranos, 2 tenors, 2 altos, 1 baritone, 1 bass and 1 contra bass.

 1855

• The real estate was assessed at $250,750. Taxes were levied on 358 titheables, 53 female slaves, 90 dogs, 126 watches, 116 clocks, 23 buggies, 12 carriages and 81 horses.
• License fees for business were set at:

$5        Selling cakes, candies, tobacco, cigars or drinks of any kind.
$10      Soap of any kind, razor powders, salves or patent medicines or any kind
$10      Auctioneers selling saddles, bridles or harness of any kind
$5        Auctioneers selling horses or other property.

1857

• The billiard saloon of Sibert & Bowman was to be taxed $100 for 1 billiard table and $50 each for additional tables; $50 for one bowling alley and $25 for each additional alley.
• The Town’s first fire company was formed and called “The Wide Awake Fire Company”
• Mr. Thomas Logan was believed infected with smallpox, and an ordinance was passed fining anyone who went to or returned from his house $5. This ordinance was to be printed and handbills posted in public places throughout the town.

1858

• The area of the town was expanded by annexation, after which the population was made up of 469 males, 479 females, 288 slaves and 153 free Negroes.