Taxation has been in existence for centuries. In the United States, April 15th, is a day most people know as “Tax Day”. It is fast approaching, and for procrastinators it will now be a rush to get their personal income taxes filed before the deadline; although this year they have till the 18th to complete their forms. For those fortunate to have a piece of the American Dream, that is owning the home they live in, there is the luxury of an additional burden throughout the year– property taxes. In some areas in the 1800s, not only was land and the buildings situated on the property taxed, but also livestock, such as cattle, horses and even dogs. In addition, those living on the land as a renter were also taxed for some years. Below are some extractions from tax records of yesteryears found during some family research in Lycoming County.
| 1860 Penn Township, Lycoming County, PA | ||||||||
| No Acres | Rate Per Acre | Property | Valuation | Total Valuation | Militia Roll | Dog Tax | County Tax | State Tax |
| Poust, Samuel | ||||||||
| 126 | 300 | 378 | ||||||
| 2 Horses | 60 | |||||||
| 3 Cows | 30 | 468 | 1.87 | 1.17 | ||||
| Philips, David H. | ||||||||
| 275 | 3.25 | 893.75 | ||||||
| 2 Horses | 60 | |||||||
| 1 cow | 10 | 963.75 | 3.85 | 2.4 | ||||
| Philips, David W. | ||||||||
| 1 Horse | 30 | |||||||
| 3 Cows | 30 | 60 | 50 | 0.24 | 0.15 | |||
| Philips, G.W. | ||||||||
| 1 Cow | 10 | |||||||
| Occupation | 25 | 35 | 0.14 | 0.2 | ||||
| 1861 Penn Township, Lycoming County, PA | ||||||||
| No Acres | Rate Per Acre | Property | Valuation | Total Valuation | Militia Roll | Dog Tax | County Tax | State Tax |
| Philips, David H. | ||||||||
| 175 | 3.25 | 568.75 | ||||||
| 1 Horse | 30 | |||||||
| 1 cow | 10 | 608.75 | 3.65 | 1.52 | ||||
| Philips, David W. | ||||||||
| 100 | 3.25 | 325 | ||||||
| 1 Horse | 30 | |||||||
| 3 Cows | 30 | 385 | 50 | 2.31 | 0.96 | |||
| Philips, G.W. | ||||||||
| 1 Cow | 10 | |||||||
| Occupation | 25 | 35 | 0.21 | 0.3 | ||||
| Reese, David | ||||||||
| 300 | 4 | 1200 | ||||||
| 1 Pair Cattle | 40 | |||||||
| 1 Cow | 10 | 1250 | 7.5 | 3.12 | ||||
| Reese, Elias | ||||||||
| 35 | 4 | 140 | 140 | 0.84 | 0.35 | |||
| 1864 Penn Township, Lycoming County, PA | ||||||||
| No Acres | Rate Per Acre | Property | Valuation | Total Valuation | Militia Roll | Dog Tax | County Tax | State Tax |
| Houseknecht, John S. | ||||||||
| Occupation | 50 | 0.35 | ||||||
| Militia | 50 | 0.12 | ||||||
| Harding, James | ||||||||
| Occupation | 25 | 25 | 1.76 | |||||
| 1 Dog | 50 | |||||||
| Poust, Jacob | ||||||||
| 300 | 3 | 900 | ||||||
| 3 Horses | 100 | |||||||
| 1 Dog | 50 | 1.12 | ??? | |||||
| Philips, David H. | ||||||||
| Occupation | 25 | 0.38 | ||||||
| 1 Horse | 30 | 55 | 0.14 | 0.9 | ||||
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