Hello Anne,

In answer to your first question: "Does Personal estate mean value of slaves?" My underatanding is that personal estate included any property owned by someone other than land, which, in 1860, would have included slaves, farm animals, cash money or bonds, crops, furniture, etc.

As to your second question: "Was they [those FPOC who owned land in 1860 but not in 1870] land taken away, especially since some went to fight in the Civil War?" I suspect that the answer to your question will have to be dealt with on a case by case basis. Some may have sold their land, the land of others may have been taken away or confiscated if taxes were not paid, etc.

Regards,
Sandra