The Differences Slavery Made: A Close Analysis of Two American Communities

Politics, Augusta County, 1860 Presidential Election Candidates and Precincts

Identified party activists for each 1860 candidate supported Bell strongly. Fifteen activists identified with the Democratic Party candidates, split evenly between Douglas and Breckinridge.

Precinct 1860 Candidate
No. Record Bell Breckinridge Douglas Total
Staunton, Precinct No. 1 35 1 1 3 40
Staunton, Precinct No. 2 45 4 2 2 53
Waynesborough 36 3 0 0 39
Churchville 52 1 1 54 0
Mt. Sidney 47 0 0 0 47
Middlebrook 27 1 0 0 28
Greenville 25 1 0 0 26
Fishersville 38 4 1 0 43
New Hope 91 5 2 0 98
Mt. Meridian 41 1 0 0 42
Mt. Solon 56 2 0 0 58
Deerfield 28 4 0 1 33
Craigsville 26 2 0 0 28
Stuart's Draft 34 3 1 0 38
Swoopes Depot 40 2 0 1 43
Sherando 18 1 2 0 21
Parnassus 42 2 0 0 44
Spring Hill 37 0 0 0 37
Newport 20 1 0 0 21
Midway 14 0 0 0 14
Total 752 38 9 8 807



The data are based on the GIS of Augusta and Franklin households--maps are derived from a D. H. Davison map of Franklin County, published in 1858, and a Jedediah Hotchkiss map of Augusta County, published in 1870, and based on surveys completed "during the war." The maps have been georeferenced at the Virginia Center for Digital History, using ESRI Arc Info to produce a Geographic Information Systems map and database of households based on U.S. census data from the population, agricultural, and slaveowners' schedules.

Note: Original precinct boundaries are not available. Precinct boundaries were established in the GIS using Theissen polygons around precinct stations as central places.

Edward L. Ayers and William G. Thomas, III
Politics, Augusta County, 1860 Presidential Election Candidates and Precincts
2001.

Points of Analysis to this Data:

"In Augusta clusters of contiguous precincts gave their support in the 1860 presidential election in similar patterns."

"Whigs accounted for the most visible party activists in Augusta County, but activists in both parties exerted significant influence."

"Precincts in Augusta that supported Breckinridge at a high level in 1860 represented the extremes of wealth, as the wealthiest and the poorest precincts drew more support for Breckinridge than any other precincts."

"The precincts with high Bell support had average household wealth and farm value well below county averages. For these marginal places a vote for Bell represented a safe course, the least change."


Citation: Key = E140
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