The 1797 Census of Tucson
The Tucson Presidio had been in existence for 21 years when Father Pedro Arriuibar compiled a detailed census of the military and civilian residents of the fortress in 1797, most likely between 21 January and 25 January. This time frame saw the Vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sonora visiting Tucson. Arriquibar also prepared an inventory of the military chapel on 21 January 1797, and it is likely the census was made at the same time1.
Arriquibar found 395 persons in the community. There were 102 soldiers staffing the fort, a typical number (during the 1816 to 1818 period the number of soldiers ranged from 98 to 106). Many of the soldiers were married and had children, a few, typically officers, had servants. Twenty one civilian families were present, with a large number headed by former soldiers. The Spanish custom was for women to retain their maiden names and at least 89 adult women were present in the community, as well as well as five maidservants and 14 manservants. It is unfortunate that the names of children (89 sons and 77 daughters) were not given, although research in other records, such as military enlistment records, has allowed some of the sons to be identified.
The census was published inThe Journal of Arizona History in 1970 in an article by Karen Sikes Collins2. Collins mistakenly attributed the census to the year 1820, with a second article by Henry Dobyns correcting this error in 19723. Tom Barnes examined a copy of the original census and prepared notes discussing his interpretation of the spelling of certain names4. Many of his corrections appear in the present transcription.
The following is a verbatim transcription of the census. Comments or translations are made in brackets [ ]. The following list will help translate entries.
Teniente= Lieutenant, Alf.= Ensign, Sargento= Sergeant, Cavo= Corporal, Carav.= Carabineer, Tambor= Drummer, Armo= Armorer, Cadte= Cadet, Otro= another, D.= Don, Da= Doña
hijo= son, hijos= sons, hija= daughter, hijas= daughters, criado= man servant, criados= manservants, criada= maidservant
Padron que manifesta el numero de Almas que tiene en Preso del Sn Agustin del Tucson
[Census which gives the number of souls who live in the Presidio del San Agustin del Tucson]
