This work is arranged chronologically by the county militia districts where taxpayers resided.The Introduction explains the compiler's methodology, the county's procedures for assessing and collecting the taxes, and a map of the Jefferson County militia districts. A full name index appears at the end of the volume.

Property owners were taxed for land and possessions. This transcription is arranged chronologically by the county militia districts where taxpayers resided. The Introduction explains the county's procedures for assessing and collecting the required taxes, and includes a map of the Jefferson County militia districts. Includes a full name index.

Jefferson County, Virginia, became Jefferson County, West Virginia in 1866.

These entries appear in the order they were presented in the original tax books, generally alphabetical by letter. The information provided in these records included numeration of the following categories: numbers of white tithables 16 years old and upwards, slaves 12-16 years old, slaves 16 years old and upwards, horses, asses, mules, mares and colts, dogs, head of cattle, ordinary licenses, stud horses, carriages and coaches, stage wagons, 2 wheel carriages, and tax charged. Also included are names of free Negroes, grist and sawmills, printing presses, tan yards and ferries, physicians and attorneys. The 1815 list included watches, clocks and furniture. Categories recorded varied each year. Transcription was made on only the first several categories, those primarily detailing numbers of people and horses.