27 Jun 2014
African American genealogy often becomes more difficult for the researcher when using records before the 1870 federal census. The task of checking records and deeds of sale for persons whose last names may have changed several times prior to the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863 and again upon the conclusion of the Civil War takes a great deal of time, even with the growing body of published sources available. Tax records are another source which may possibly lead to the identification of individuals.
The following list shows the name, age and value of each slave owned by Christopher Melchor of Cabarrus County. It was taken from the 1863 Cabarrus County tax assessment list. The original record book, titled Record of the Assessment List and Other Proceedings Had Thereon by the Board of Assessors, is located in the Office of the Clerk of Court, Cabarrus County Courthouse. The microfilm record prepared by the N. C. Archives is labeled Cabarrus County Board of Assessors, Record of the Assessment List, 1860-1868, 1 volume. Copies of the original document are also on file in the Lore Local History Room at the Concord Library.
Assessment List for District No. 8
| Name | Age | $Value |
| Buck | 60 | 500 |
| Mack | 56 | 400 |
| Andy | 46 | 1000 |
| Alfred | 41 | 800 |
| Elias | 38 | 700 |
| Mark | 33 | 1600 |
| Lewis | 33 | 1600 |
| Burton | 32 | 1600 |
| Caleb | 28 | 1600 |
| George | 23 | 1600 |
| Amos | 21 | 1600 |
| John | 19 | 1600 |
| Crawford | 18 | 1600 |
| Isaiah | 12 | 1200 |
| Adam | 7 | 700 |
| Frank | 6 | 100 |
| Jones | 3 | 300 |
| Horrace | 3 | 300 |
| Frank | 2 | 200 |
| Violet | 58 | 200 |
| Mariah | 54 | 300 |
| Mary | 36 | 1100 |
| Jane | 35 | 1200 |
| Clementine | 26 | 1400 |
| May | 22 | 1400 |
| Martha | 22 | 1400 |
| Caroline | 13 | 1200 |
| Laney | 11 | 1000 |
| Francis | 7 | 600 |
| Dorah | 5 | 400 |
| Eliza | 36 | 300 |
| Leah | 1 | 100 |
| Caroline | 1 | 100 |
| Infant | 1 week | 100 |
| Infant | 1 week | 100 |