Since we can’t be certain at this point that Lucy Harris or the others allowed to see the 116 pages were involved in the theft, we turn to residents of the town and village of Palmyra. Knowing that the population of Palmyra in 1820 was 2,719 and that there were 748 persons were in agriculture, 18 in commerce, and 190 in manufacturing is little help in our quest. Likewise knowing that the population of Palmyra in 1830 was over 4,000 only increases our frustration.
The issue is statistics. How many people do we want to research who lived in Palmyra? A cursory view of statistics gives us some idea of the problem—
1800 – 986 inhabitants in the town of Palmyra.
1806 – Palmyra post office was established with Azel Ensworth as the first postmaster.
1812 – Macedon was set off from Palmyra.
1816 – 2,187 inhabitants in the town (the Smiths arrive).
1820 – 3,124 inhabitants in the town although only 2,719 reported on the census
1822 – Erie Canal has reached Palmyra.
1825 – 4,613 inhabitants in town.
1827 – March 29th, Palmyra Village was incorporated.