Census Note: Female Heads of Household, Haverhill, NH.

Census records provide a number of opportunities for examining household composition.  In the 1790 Census for Haverhill, we note that Anne Chase, Abigail Eastman, Elizabeth Fifield, Mary Fisk and Mary Simpson were all listed as female heads of household.  The author is currently conducting research into these women while cross referencing them with names of women who make direct purchases from the Montgomery Store in 1793.  Only a very small number of women are listed as making purchases and thus far, the references are for trifling amounts and generally for one item, such as lace (Fanny Bailey) or chintz (Polly Cragge).

In 1790, Haverhill consisted of 101 families totaling 552 residents: 163 free white males over 16, 118 free white males under16, 266 free white females, 1 other and 4 slaves.