Treasure Chest Thursday - 1880 U.S. Agricultural Census Record for James Richmond in Putnam, Connecticut

The article provides a detailed analysis of a specific 1880 agricultural census record for a farmer named James Richmond. By examining the granular data regarding land use, livestock, and crop yields, the text reconstructs the economic and operational profile of a typical family farm in late 19th-century Connecticut. This close reading highlights the diversity of production and the balance between subsistence and market-oriented activities on such estates. The narrative emphasizes that this was a diversified smallholding rather than a specialized commercial enterprise. The farm relied on mixed agriculture, integrating tilled crops like oats and corn with livestock management, including dairy cows and poultry. The production of hay, butter, and wood indicates a self-sufficient model where multiple resources contributed to household stability and potential cash income, reflecting the complex interplay of labor, land values, and agricultural practices of the era. This case study is highly relevant to open data initiatives because it demonstrates the value of digitized historical records for social and economic research. Open datasets like census forms allow historians and data scientists to move beyond aggregate statistics and analyze individual livelihoods. By making these structured records accessible, researchers can uncover patterns in rural economies, land management, and family economics that would otherwise remain hidden in static documents, fostering a deeper understanding of historical data ecosystems.

Source: geneamusings.com
Published on 2026-11-13

Treasure Chest Thursday - 1880 U.S. Agricultural Census Record for James Richmond in Putnam, Connecticut

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