Isaac L. Varian, Mayor 1839-1841: Varian (1793 – 1864) had one enslaved person in his household in New York City in 1820, a woman between fourteen and twenty-five. His family had many by the name of Isaac Varian, including his father and grandfather. It is probable that his father had six enslaved people at their family farm in Yonkers, Westchester County in the 1800 Census. His father died in 1820.[1]

Well-known Black scholar Carter G. Woodson wrote the book Free Negro Heads of Families in the United States in 1830 (published 1925). It identifies Isaac Varian, a male between the ages of 24-36 as one of the “Free Negro Heads of Families” in Harrison, New York, which is in Westchester County. He has five people in his household. This is based on 1830 census records that has Isaac Varian in Harrison with five “free colored persons” and no “free white persons” in the household. The mayor and his father are in New York City in the 1830 census. The 1820, 1840, and 1850 censuses do not have a record of Isaac Varian in Harrison. It appears likely that the 1830 household is owned by Mayor Isaac Varian or his father.[2]

• Appears to be in Ward 7 in 1830 census. No free people.
• In New York City, Ward 16 in 1840 census. No free people.
• In Cortlandt as a farmer in 1850 census.

[1] Northeast Slavery Records Index; FamilySearch, 1820 Census, Issac L. Varian, New York Ward 9; his father is Isaac R. Varian in 1810 Census; New York, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, letter of administration Probate Date 8 Jun 1820, Probate Place Westchester, Ancestry.com; Listed on Bloomingdale Road in 1819 Jury Ward Census, Ancestry.com

[2] Free Negro Heads of Families in the United States in 1830, Carter G. Woodson, 1925, p.110; 1830 Federal Census, link, Ancestry.com

Copyright 2025 Paul Hortenstine