"•^^0^ s -r -'<*. 'o..' ,0' ■■i -*. 'o . . V • 4 o "•^.-0^ • • o. ,0^ c" o o ♦ . , 1 • .0 » '^^ V \^ •^. .^^ A 5 • c'^ ^:n ^- °o , " ^O 4 o r iji' * v'^ -7*. ~ o .^O ,^' \-^ t • o . "^o ^O^ ^o o > 4 O e K <^. ,0 vV ... o > >, 4 o ^''•^^. -> K O 0) ' . . * •f- c. / o K , vO-T-.. ,°-r,. : ■»: ^-1°^ - >.'^-n« t- » -t ^^-^ -' ■■ (S L IcJ ^/Z^^- ,-^. ^-C- ^ STATISTICS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE OF PHILADELPHIA. TAKEN BY BENJAMIN C. BACON, AND PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE y BOARD OF EDUCATION OF "THE PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR ) PROMOTING THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY," ETC. SECOND EDITION. PHILADELPHIA : REPRINTED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 1859. n- At a Stated Meetin;; of the Board of E lucation of the " Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of tilavery, &c.," held 12th mo. 8th, 1853, the Com- miiiee appointed to report a plan of collecting Statistics, &;., produced the fol- lowing, which was accepted. To the Board of Education. The Committee appointed to consider of. and report to the Board the bes: method of aacertaining the present state of education among the colored popu- lation of our city and districts, in order that those who succeed us in this con- cern may at future periods, have some data from which they can form an estimate of the progress made by this class of our citizens in school learning. &c. Recomtnend, That with the concurrence of the Society, our Visiting Agent be instructed to collect and arrange in tabular form the following and such other items of information as may be thought necessary to represent the present state of education among ibem, in addition to the duties heretofore assigned him. viz * The number over twenty years of ag9 who caa read and write and who under- stand the simple rules of arithmetic. The number over twenty years of age who can read and write legibly, (Jo. do. who can read only, do. do. Slave born, do_ do. born free in Slave States, do do. who cannot read or write, do. of Libraries, date of organization, number of volumes, &c.. do. of Literary Societies, date of O'-ganization, &c., do. of children attending schools, and whether Public or Private Schools, do. of children over eight years old, not attending School. Your Committee further recommend that the Agent be directed to ascertain the number employed as teachers, the number of artizans, the number who have learned trades, the' number who work ai their trades, and the number employed in the higher departments of labor, such as clerkship?, &c. &c., so that our suc- cessors may also be enabled to note their progress in these respects. ^ POWELL STACKeOUSE,1 BENJAMIN COATES, BENJ.\MIN' C. BACON, SIMEON COLLINS, Philadelpliia \2th mo. Sth, 1853. In accordance with the recommendation of the Keport, Bexj.^mix C. B.\cos was appointed, in Fourth Month. IS.'.t, to perform the service therein named: and at the stated meeting of the Board in First Month, 1856, Dillwyn Parrish, JosHDA T. JEANES, and Benjamin Coates were appointed to assist the agent in its revision and publication. us revision a v DILLWYN PARRISH, Chairman of the Board of Education. T. Ellwood Chapman, Secretary. -Committee. PREFATORY NOTE. Those friends of the Colored people of this city, who have visited their Week-day and First-day Schools for a number of past years, notice with pleasure their greatly improved condition. Those who have, for a like period, mingled with adults in their Evening Schools, Libraries, Literary Associations and Churches, are much gratified to see how steadily they advance in knowledge and refinement. The want of well authenticated facts relative to the number, charac- ter and condition of their various schools, and the state of education among adults, as they were thirty or forty years ago, has long been seriously felt. By comparing the present with past periods of their history, such information would enable all concerned in vindicating the character and rights of this oppressed people more efi'ectually to repel the slanders of their enemies, and to correct the erroneous impressions of some of their friends, respecting their readiness and capacity to ac- quire learning. The facts having been collected by a personal canvass of a member of the Society, in whose ability and integrity they have full confidence, are believed to be correct. Philadelphia, First Month, (^January,') 1856. NOTE TO PRESENT EDITION. The first Edition of these statistics having been exhausted, it was deemed advisable to re-print them, to which we append the letter of W. J. Mullen, the Prison Agent, containing, as it does, valuable and interesting statistics, bearing on the moral condition of the colored people. Philada., Gth month, 1859. STATISTICAL INQUIRY. I. DAY AND EVENING SCHOOLS. In the .'Spring of 1853; the Board published a report of their School Agent, containing a comparative statement of the condition of these schools for the months of January and February, in the years 1852 and 1853. The following revised edition of that report, contains a sketch of their history for the year 1854 : — 1. Public Schools.* Grammar Schools, (a) Sixth street above Lombard. Established in 1822. Boys' school, James M. Bird, Principal, and three female assistants; total 228 ; average attendance 208. Girls' school, Maria C. Hutton, Principal, and three assistants. Total 252 ; average atten- dance 193. Pri'ma?-^ ^ScAoo/, in the same building. Established in 1S41. Jane Barry, Principal, and two assistants. Boys 105 ; Girls 98 ; total 183 ; average attendance 150. Roberts Vaux Unclassified School, Coates street near Fifth. Estab- lished in 1833. David R. Murrell, Principal, and one female assistant. Boys 112 ; Girls 24 ; total loG ; average attendance 93. West Philadelphia Unclassified School, Oak street. Established in 1830. Mary A. Delamatcr, Principal, and one assistant. Boys 46; Girls 51 ; average attendance 78. Corn Street Unclassifed School. Established in 1849. Parah L. Peltz, Teacher. Boys 18 ; Girls 29 ; total 47; average attendance 32. Franhford Unclassified School. Established in 1839. "William Coffee, Teacher. Boys 18 ; Girls 13 ; total 31 ; average attendance 25. Ilolmcsburg Unclassified School. Established in 1854. ^laria Shade, Teacher. Boys 13; Girls 12 ; total 25 ; average attendance 19. Bannchcr School, Pa.-^chalvillc. Established in 1841. E. M Biddlc, Teacher. Boys IG ; Girls 1(3 ; total 32 ; average attendance 15. * The total number and average attendance of these schools, was taken from the Controller's last Report. In consdiuence of the Coneolidation Act, the year was changed from July to January, so that the Report is for one year and a half. (rt) Schools thus marked have Libraries. The condition of Colored Public Schools generally, was formerly not as good as that of the Charity schools, but they have improved very much within a few years past. Owing to remissness on the part of parents, about twelve years ago the Grammar schools were on the point of being given up. The alarm was given — public meetings were held by the colored people, and an agent of their own appointed to visit from house to house and urge the people to duty. Our Board was also ac- tively engaged in the matter. The schools were saved, and for the last three years have so increased in numbers that one teacher has been added to each school, making the full complement. The school house has recently been remodelled. Within the past year very marked changes have taken place in the West Philadelphia school, and the St. Mary's street Primary school. The former has been removed from the hovel in which it was so long kept, to the basement of the Colored Baptist Church, and has so in- creased in numbers that the Directors have added another teacher, and are desirous of getting a still larger room. The latter school has been removed from its former bad location to the basement story of the Grammar schools in Sixth street, which has been fitted up on purpose for its accommodation. Since its removal, the better class of parents do not object to sending their children to it, and the number of scholars has increased so much that extra seats have been introduced. 2. Charity Schools.* Institute for Colored Youth, (a) Lombard street above Seventh. Es- tablished in 1852. Charles L. Reason, Principal; Grace Mapes, assist- ant Teacher in the Female department. Males 15 ; Females 16 ; total 31 : average attendance 20. Raspherry Street Schools, (a) corner of Locust and Raspberry streets. Established in 1770. Boys' School, John W. Stokes, Principal, and one female assistant ; total 90 ; average attendance 64. Girls' School, Martha Cox, Principal, and one assistant ; total 79 ; average attend- ance 53. Adclplu School, (a) Wager street. The Girls' department established in 1838, the Infant department in 1835. Girls' department, Anna M. Kite, Principal, and one assistant ; total 70 ; average attendance 42. Infant department, Catharine Shipley, Principal, and one assistant .; total 95 ; average attendance 01. Sheppard School, {a) Piandolph street above Parrish. Established * The year of these schools begins about the first of September, and ends with the following summer vacation. in 1850, Anna Buzby, Principal, and one assistant; total 60 ; average attendance 40. School for the Destitute at the House of Industrt/, corner of Seventh and Catliarine streets. Established in 1848. Sarah Lewis, Principal, and two assistants; total both sexes 100; average attendance 75. School for the Destitute, Lombard street above Seventh. Established in 1851. Sarah Luciana, Teacher ; total both sexes 73; average at- tendance 45. Infant School, corner of South and Clifton streets. Established in T.827. S. C. Swan, Principal, and two assistants ; total 150; average attendance 85. The unpretending title of the " Institute for Colored Youth," does not convey an adequate idea of the relation it sustains 'to the other schools. It is, in fact, the pioneer High School, and on that account alone cannot be too highly appreciated. But for the liberal spirit of the Trustees of the several fijnds given for its endowment, there might be nothing to answer the purpose of a High school for many years to come. Having commenced with seven pupils only, the present state of the school is all the more gratifying. A considerable number of the scholars belonging to both the Rasp- berry street and Adelphi Girls' schools are so large and backward, that they would be ashamed to enter the Public Primary schools, and would do so reluctantly, if at all. Hence their greater usefulness. Adults are sometimes seen in the two former. The Sheppard school is a great blessing to the part of the city in which it is located. As it is quite select, and as none but girls attend it, a large portion of those who fill its seats would sooner stay at home than jio to Coates' street School. The two schools for the destitute are objects of increasing interest. The Manacers of the one at the House of Industrv, introduced the in- dustrial feature in a small way during the late fall and winter. A .slioemaker was employed to superintend, and materials furnished for the larger boys to work up into shoes, for the use of the school. The experiment was satisfactory. The one in Lombard street is much bet- ter accommodated than formerly. Since the removal to their new loca- tion, a successful experiment has been made in a limited way, to intro- duce the home feature. Twelve of the children have been indentured to the Teacher, with power to bind them out as fast as she finds suita- ble places for them. The usefulness of both schools would be greatly in" creased, if the majority of the children who attend them could be con- trolled in the same manner. As no public provision is made for the instruction of children too young to attend the Primary schools, the two infant schools are watched with deep interest. They are both in a very satisfactory state. 3. Schools connected with Benevolent and Reformatory In- stitutions.* House of Refuge (a) corner of Poplar and William streets. Estab- lished in 1850 ; supported in part by the State. The Boys' school has a principal and one assistant male teacher. Largest number of inmates at any one time 88 ; average for the year 75 ; sessions from 5 to T^ A. M., and from bh to 8 P. M., the evening session on Saturday being omitted. The Girls' school has one female teacher. Largest number of in- mates at aay one time 44 ; average for the year 36 ; ono session from 2 to 5 P. M. Being schools of discipline as well as of instruction, the order is excellent, and the scholars make fair progress in their studies. Their last session in the week is principally devoted to reading the Bible or sacred history. A considerable number of the boys, when not in school; work at some useful trade. The girls are occupied with making garments, mending, washing and other domestic duties out of school. Orphans' Shelter, Thirteenth street above Callowhill. Established in 1822, under the care of an association of women Friends It has a principal and one assistant female teacher, and is conducted principally upon the infant school plan. Number of inmates at the close of the year 73. There are always a few too small to be in school. Being ap- prenticed at an early age, there are seldom any over ten years old to attend. Home for Colored Children, Girard avenue above Ridge Road. Es- tablished in 1855. It is under the control of a board of lady managers, assisted by a board of male trustees. It contains at present 19 inmates. Its design is to take the entire control of destitute colored children of both sexes, instruct them mentally and morally, and place them as ap- prentices in some useful occupation with persons interested in their welfare. It is proposed to incorporate the Institution, procure funds, and erect a building adapted to the purpose, which will accommodate the numerous applicants who seek the protection which such a home affords. *The reports of these Instiiutionsare made for ench calender year. 4. Private Schools. Sarah M. Douglass, Institute Building, Lonnbard street above Seventh, Margaretta Forten, 92 Lombard street, Amelia Bojjle, 12th street below Spruce, Adam S. Driver, Barclay street above Sixth, ttiizabeth Clark, corner Fifih and Gaskill streets, Emeline Higgins, 4 Raspberry street, Ada Hinton, C Locust street, Sarah Gordon, 9 Rodman Street Diana Smith, Prosperous Alley Emeline Curtis, 62 Gaskill street, Sarah Ann Gordon, Bonsall street above Tenth, Ann McCormick, Brown street above Fourth, George W. Johnson, Lombard street above Seventh,.... Summary of the Day Schools. Public Schools, Charity Schools, Benevolent and Reformatory Schools, Private Schools, Estab- No. of Scho- lish'-a in lars on roll- 1835 30 1850 10 1841 17 1850 37 1850 40 1840 30 1849 20 1849 30 1836 15 1850 12 1852 20 1854 30 1854 40 rotal. Areroge Atu-ndanie 1031 821 748 491 211 331 2321 S. M. Douglass teaches higher branches than are taught in j'ublic (Trammar Schools. The Managers of the Institute, in whose building her school is kept, have made an arrangement with her by which she will at all times have 25 girls preparing for admission into their school. M. Forten and A. Hinton teach branches similar to those taught in Lrrammar Schools, the former being the only one that takes boarding scholars. All the others teach nothing more than the elementary branches. The proprietors of female schools all teach plain sewing, and most of them add ornamental knecdle work, and knitting. 5. Evening Schools. Raspberry Street Schools commence on the tirst Monday in October and continue five months. Five sessions are held each week. Men's School, John W. Stokes, Principal, and throe male assistants. Total 138 ; average attendance 50. Women's School, Mary Roberts, Principal, and four assistants. Total 255 ; average attendance G3. Jipprcnticcs and Yuuag Men's School at the New Institute commences on the first Monday in November and continues fourth months. Charlep L. Reason, Teacher. The Raspberry Street Schools were established many years ago, and were formerly conducted by voluntary teachers. They always enjoyed a large share of the public confidence^ but since the paid system of 9 teacliiug was introduced, they liave become more efficieut than ever be- fore. None are admitted to the Men's School under 18 years of age. The school taught by C. L. Reason happily supplies the wants of ap- prentices and others who cannot attend Day Schools, but arc too young to enter the Raspberry Street School. General Remarks. The teachers of the Institute for Colored Youth, and of all the private schools, are of their own complexion. All the others are white. No register is kept in any school denoting standard of scholarship, nor is there any system of rewards for exciting emulation. "When the Shcppard School was established it was feared by some that the Coates Street School would be injured thereby, but the contrary proves to be the fact. So, also, some feared that the Grammar Schools would be injured by the establishment of the Institute for Colored Youth, but the former were never so well attended, or in so prosperous a state as at present. The irregular attendance of scholars, (unavoidable in a majority of cases) particularly in the larger and more advanced schools, imposes considerable extra labor upon teachers, prevents a thorough classification, and makes the recitations less spirited than they otherwise would be. Of all men and women who labor for the good of others, none are more deserving than the faithful teachers of these schools. It would be interesting to know the amount of school tax paid by this people, but the expense alread} incurred by the Board is sq^ great that it is not practicable to procure the information at present. The census taken by our Society in 1837-8 showed very clearly that they paid something more than their proportion of poor tax, and it is pre- sumed that they have not been of late years, if ever, deficient in their proportion of school tax. The numbers of children over 8 years of age, and under 18, not in school, was found to be 1620. As the canvass was mostly made in the spring and summer, it is quite probable that the number is nearer 2000 during the fall and winter months. 10 II. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 1. Schools attached to their oicn congregations and conducted by their own teachers. First Baptist, corner Eleventh and Pearl streets, TJnion Baptist, Little Pine street above Sixth, - Shiloh Baptist, corner Clifton and South streets. Oak street Baptist, Oak street, West Philadelphia, Bethel, Sixth street above Lombard, - - - - Brick Wesley, Lombard street Jjelow Sixth, - - Union, Coates street below York Avenue, - - Little Wesley, Hurst street below Lombard, Zoar Brown street above Fourth, _ _ _ _ Mount Pisgah, Locust st, above Till, West Phila Israel, corner Fifth and Gaskill streets, - - - Frankford, ---________ Holmesburjr, - --------- Little Wesley Mission, Seventh street below Dick- erson, --_-_____. Allen Chapel, rear 72 Christian street, - - - First Presbyterian, Seventh street below Shippen, Second do St. Mary street above Sixth, Central do Lombard street below Ninth, St. Thomas, corner Fifth and Adelphi streets, 1^ 5 IS J) o , i — I ; o ■70 47 48 44 524 116 67 100 80 39 78 57 23 50 20 40 25 6G 183 24 14 32 10 7G 76 147 81 5 13 15 5 10 10 10 2 32 15 2 1 97 65 5 87 55 45 15 18 92 61 79 54 503 127 209 102 30 7 78 57 10 60 30 50 27 98 198 1677 577390 1882 185 181 : .5 >» 3 o li 10 8 7 9 37 16 7 18 10 5 10 5 5 4 5 4 7 7 11 12 8 8 8 27 23 20 6 7 2 10 5 6 5 4 5 9 11 2. ScJiools under the supervision of White Missions and Indiiiduals. St. Andrew's Church, Phil. Ins.. Lombard street above Seventh. Female Department, - Male do - Infant School, - - - Ladies Union City Mission, corner Seventh street and Bradford's Alley. Infant School. Young Men's City Mission, Bedford street below Eighth, --------- Family of Morris L. Hallowell, 211 Filbert street. 143 46 34 155 35 I. 4 40 1 143 46 34 230 17 65 Go 1 30 35 5 60 3 42 2 40 3 215 146 41 395 24 12 4 1 17 1 6 3 27 The schools couuected with the Jirick Wesley and Union Methodist Churches were conducted wholly by white teachers from the time they were established till about ten years ago, when they came under their own supervision. Two important objects were gained by this assump- tion of new duties, viz : — An increased spirit of self reliance in their congregations, and the mental improvement of those employed as teachers. 11 III. ADULT EDUCATION. 1. Table showing the number ivho can read, lorite and cipher, &c. = t» ^i 0) -.a g* OS d |i First Ward, - Second Ward, - Third Ward, Fourth Ward, Fifth Ward, - Sixth Ward, Seventh Ward, Eighth Ward, Ninth Ward, - Tenth Ward, Eleventh Wardj - Twelfth Ward, Thirteenth Ward, - Fourteenth Ward, - Fifteenth Ward, - Sixteenth Ward, - Seventeenth Ward, Eighteenth Ward, Nineteenth Ward, Twentieth Ward, - Twenty-first Ward, Twenty-second Ward, Twenty-third ward. Twenty-fourth ward, 223 349 275 1427 1818 151 1867 969 76 208 37 234 69 23r 157 82 70 4 114 99 2 36 249 252 9001 25 36 60 262 350 21 431 204 20 40 2 53 15 34 20 17 13 1 6 22 7 30 41 1710 23 54 48 199 285 25 337 192 16 39 11 35 12 46 26 12 8 1 20 12 4 43 34 47 76 68 273 310 34 311 199 19 42 5 42 15 66 29 13 11 18 15 1 7 48 37 1482 1686 128 183 99 693 873 71 788 374 21 87 19 104 27 87 82 40 38 2 70 60 1 18 128 140 136 156 118 561 747 41 708 356 24 64 14 78 15 61 46 25 16 1 37 33 6 75 53 4123 3371 37 57 48 186 212 25 213 147 11 44 3 28 8 23 22 7 10 26 11 2 8 33 46 1212 The Agent found it diflScult, in some cases, to determine who could read. When doubts existed upon the subject the question generally was, " Can he read tolerably free, and easily in the New Testament ?" If an affirmative answer was given, he was classed as a reader. To determine who could write was nearly as difficult. In doubtful cases the question was, "■ Can he write well enough to write letters to his friends ?" An affirmative answer was deemed sufficient. As the number of men who can cypher is considerably greater than that of women, and as the former were not generally at home to answer for themselves, no satisfactory information could bo obtained in some cases. In other cases the information obtained lacked clearness. Where doubts existed, and especially if the parties inquired of seemed not to comprehend the meaning of cyphering in the simple rules, the question was asked, " Can he work out sums on a slate through long division V 12 If that failed to elicit the proper answer, the attempt was then made to ascertain whether he was in the first class in certain schools named; if so, it was taken for granted that he understood the simple rules of arithmetic. The table may seem dry and uninteresting, but let the reader analyze it a little, and he will find it instructive. The large number who cannot read (4123) may startle him at first, but let him consider that free born persons, in slave States, are so nearly on a level with the slaves, as far as school privileges are concerned, that he may add them to the slave-born, making the number 4583 — diflference to their credit, 460. Then let him suppose that 140 of those who cannot read were born on our own soil, a very moderate calculation, and he will have 600 as the number who learned to read, at least, since they came from the slave States. He will readily believe, however, that the number is much greater than that, if he will take the trouble to visit the evening schools and Sunday schools where adults are instructed. Such memoranda as the following, taken from the canvassing books of the Agent, will serve to strengthen this belief. '* The wife Sarah has learned to read tolerably well since she was 4U years old — never received any instruction worth mentioning." '* Pretty good scholar — went to school only two months — slave-born."' " Reads and writes, and is wholly self taught." " Went to school but six weeks — can read and write." '' Though a slave for 50 years, she began when about 65 years of age, to attend Sunday school, with crutch and stafi^, (being very lame,) and got so as to read tolerably well in the Bible — is now about 80, and goes to Sunday school and Church, when able." "Can read, write, and cypher, though he never attended school." 2. Libraries ami Literari/ Associations. Public Library and Beading Room in the Institute for Colored Youth. Established in 1853 by the Managers of the Institute. From the 2d Annual Keport of the Librarian, dated 4th mo. 1st, 1855, we learn that there were then about 1,300 volumes belonging to the Li- brary. The number of readers were 450, of whom 233 were males, and and 217 females. New applicants, 127. Number of books loaned out during the year, - - 4,088 " " " in the Heading lloom, - - 1,555 Total, - - 5,642 The interest in the Institution was represented to be steadily iucreas- 13 ing and many parents were commended for their exertion to secure the attachment of their offspring to it. Philadelphia Library Company. Organized in 1833. Incorpo- rated in 1837. Number of volumes in the Library, 200. Weekly lec- tures upon literary and scientific subjects are given, by the members and others, from the first week in October till the following May in each year. Discussions are held after each lecture. L'nity Library Company. Organized in 1S51. Number of volumes 500. It has weekly lectures for three months in winter, by its own members and other persons of their own color, after which discussions are held. Bannekcr Institute. Organized in 1854:. A library is contemplated. It is composed ot younger members than either of the others. It has lectures and discussions in season. IV. OCCUPATIONS. 1. Mechanical Trades. Bakers 4 Baker and Brewer 1 Barbers 248 Barber and Bootmaker 1 Barbers and Musicians 6 Basket Makers 2 Blacksmiths 22 Blacksmith and Calico Stamper 1 Blacksmith and Shoemaker I Bonnet Pressor 1 Book Binder and Basketmaker 1 Boot and Shoemakers 66 Boot and Shoemakes and Musicians... 2 Boot and Shoemaker, Musician and Music Teacher 1 Bootmaker, Barber and Tailor 1 Brass Founder 1 Brick Layers 9 Brick Layers and Plasterers 4 Brick Makers, (3 branches, Mould- ers, Setters, and Burners,) 53 Brick Maker and Musician 1 Brush Maker 1 Cabinet Makers 20 Cabinet and Chair Maker, House Painter and Glazier 1 Cake Bakers 5 Carpenters 49 Carver 1 Carver and Gilder 1 Carver and Turner 1 Caulkers and Gravers 3 < Cbair Maker 1 I Coach Painter 1 j Confectioners and Pastry Cooks 7 I Coopers 9 t Cracker Bakers 3 I Cupper and Leecher, and Dress ] Milker 1 Currier 1 [ Dentists 5 1 Distillers 2 I Draughtsman, Sign and Ornamental Painter 1 Dress Makers 565 Dress and Shirt Makers 50 Dress and Shirt Makers, and Mili- ners 2 Dress and Shirt Maker, and Pastry Cook 1 Dyers 9 Embroiderers 9 Embroiderers and Dressmakers 3 Embroiderer and Milliner 1 Embroiderers and Shirt Makers 2 Embroiderers and Tailoresses 2 Embroiderers and Dress and Shirt Makers 4 Forgemen 6 Gardeners 2 Garment Cutters 2 Glove Maker 1 Gold and Silver Pencil Finisher 1 Hatters 4 14 Hair Workers 5 Ilair Worker and Dressmaker 1 House andShip Carpenter 1 House Painters and Glaziers 7 House and Sign Painters and Gla- ziers 3 Ink and I'.lacking Maker 1 Iron iloulder 1 Ladies' Shoemakers 4 Lampblack Maker 1 Machinist 1 Manuiacturing Chemists 2 Map Mounters 2 Mason and Bricklayer 1 Mason and Plasterer 1 Masonic and Odd Fellow's Regalia Makers 2 Millers 4 Milliners and Dressmakers 45 Millwright 1 Jlineral Water Maker 1 Paper Box Makers 3 Paper Hangers 2 Paper Maker 1 Pastry Cooks 10 Plasterers 14 Plumbers 2 Portrait, Sign and Ornamental Painter, Teacher of Phonogra- phy, the Guitar, Singing, and Daguerreo typist 1 Potters 2 Pressman 1 Printer 1 Printers' Ink Maker 1 Rectifier 1 Rigger 1 Rope Miker 1 Rope and Brickmaker 1 Rope and Brickmaker and Black- smith 1 Saddle and Harness Maker 1 Sail Makers 12 Sand Paper Maker 1 Sheet Iron Workers 4 Ship Carpenters 5 Shirt and Dressmakers 70 Shoemakers 46 Shoemaker and Musician Shoemaker and Carpenter Sign and Ornamental Painter Silver Smith Spectacle Maker Stationary Engineers Stereotyper Moulder and Caster Stove Finisher Stove Maker Sugar Refiner Tailors 20 Tailoresses 29 Tailoresses and Dressmakers 23 Tailoresses, Shirt and Dressmakers, and Embroiderers 2 Tallow Chandler 1 Tanners 24 Tanners and Curriers 6 Tanner and Morocco Dresser 1 Tanner and Musician 1 Tanners and Stationary Engineers... .2 Tanner and Type Caster 1 Tinsmiths 3 Turners 3 Umbrella Makers 2 Upholsterers 2 Upholsteresses 2 Varnish Manufacturer 1 Vest Makers 2 Weavers 16 Weaver and Blacksmith 1 Weavers and Dressmakers 2 Wharf Builder 1 Wheelwright 1 Wire Workers 2 Wrought Nail Maker 1 Total 1,637 2. Other Occupations Artists 5 I Midwife Assistant in Pencil Factory 1 | Musicians Captains of Coasting Vessels 2 Clerks 5 Hat Store 1 Indian Doctor 1 Livery Stable Keepers 2 Lumber Merchants and Proprietors of Transportation Lines 3 1 6 Music Teachers 5 Musicians and Music Teachers 4 Physicians 6 School Teachers 16 Trimming Store 1 Total 59 "Re- in the year 1838, our Society published a pamphlet entitled giater of Trades of Colored People in the City of Philadelphia and Dis 15 tricts." The material for the work was collected from the canvassina; books of the Agents employed to take the census, published by the So- ciety the same year, and by the further inquiries of the principal one of those Agents among the various trades. The whole number having trades, according to that estimate, was 997. Six trades therein men- tioned, are not found in the present trade list, viz. : Black and White Smiths, Chair Bottomers, Fullers, Scythe and Sickle Maker, Stone Cut- ter, and Tobacconists. It makes no mention of Artists, Clerks, Lum- ber Merchants, &c. The material for the present list was obtained by a personal canvass from house to house, and embraces the whole consolidated City, The whole number having trades, exclusive of those mentioned under the head of " Other Occupations," is 1G52. Forty-one trades are here mentioned that are not found in the "Register" before mentioned, viz.: Carver, Carver and Gilder, Chair Maker, Coach Painter, Distillers, Draughtsman, Embroiderers, Gardeners, Garment Cutters, Glove Maker. Gold and Silver Pencil Finisher, Ink and Blacking Maker, Iron Moulder, Lamp Black Maker, Machinist, Manufacturing Chemists, Map 3Iount- ers, Masonic and Odd Fellows' Regalia Makers, Paper Box Makers, Paper Hangers, Printers' Ink Maker, Rectifier, Rigger, Saddle and Harness Maker, Sheet Iron Workers, Shirt Makers, Silver Smith, Spectacle ^laker, Stationary Engineers, Stereotype 3Ioulder and Caster, Stove Finishers, Stove Maker, Tallow Chandler, Umbrella Maker, Up- holsterers, Varnish IManufacturer, Vest Makers, Wharf Builder, and Wire Workers. Less than two-thirds of those who have trades follow them. A few of the remainder pursue other avocations from choice, but the greater number are compelled to abandon their trades on account of the unre- lenting prejudice against their color. i Conclusion. Information relating to property, pauperism, and crime, was not con- templated in this publication, but facts bearing upon either subject are 60 deeply interesting, that no apology need be made for introducing the following brief statements, contained in a neatly printed pamphlet pre- pared by a committee of colored citizens of Philadelphia, in 1855, me- morializing the Legislature for the restoration of the right of suffrage which they enjoyed for 47 years prior to the adoption of the present constitution in 1838. We [of Philadelphia] possess §2,685,693 of real and personal estate. 16 and have paid $9,7GG 42 for taxes during the past year, and $396,782 27 for house, water, and ground rent. "We have had incor- porated 108 Mutual Beneficial Societies having 9,762 members, with aD annual income of 829,600 00, and a permanent invested fund of §28,366 00, which is deposited in various institutions among the whites, who derive a large profit therefrom. One thousand three hundred and eighty-five families were assisted by these Societies to the amount of S10,292 38 during the year 1853. It is evident from the facts that these charitable institutions must materially relieve the distress of fami. lies and maintain a large portion of our poor under circumstances which would otherwise throw them upon public charity. Again, as to crimes among us, by a letter of Judge Kelley, written in answer to certain questions put to him, it is shown that for the three years up to 1S54 the commitments of colored persons to the Philadelphia County Prison have gradually decreased, while those of the whites for the same period have markedly increased. The New York Independent published, a few years since, a series of six letters from a Philadelphia correspondent, over the signature of A. H. B. They are written iu a very friendly spirit, and contain much valuable information respecting the colored population of our city. The last one is devoted in part to the subject of education. The concluding paragraph is so just and so hopeful in its tone, that we give it entire. " There is one idea that has often suggested itself to my mind in con- templating the condition and progress of these people, which may, per- haps, seem strange in such a connection. It is the nobility of human nature, in itself considered. I have often, it is true, been struck with the same idea from other sources. It is a natural thought to any one wlio looks at what mankind have done, and especially what the great men of the world have done. When we think of Shakspeare and Gib- bon, of Kant and Neander, in the world of books; when we remember the Reformation and the American Revolution, and the names of Luther and Washington, we cannot fail to be impressed at once with a feeling of awe and gratification at what man, as man, is, and what he can do. But when I see a people pinioned by so many discouragements, and bruised under such a complicated and heavy mass of ditfieultios as the colored people, steadily and surely elevating themselves above their cir- cumstances ; when I behold the immense mountain of prejudice that rests upon them, tottering and almost rising bodily from its base, I am struck with a detrree of admiration and amazement that I seldom feel on any other occasion, at the intrinsic strength and infinite tendencies of humanity." 17 The following letter from that indefatigable friend of humanity, Wm. J. Mullen, is so encouraging to the friends of the colored man that it, together with the additional information obtained from him, is here ap- pended. PhllacMpMa, 12(7i of March, 1859. Respected Friend, — Your letter of the 11th inst., has been received. You desire to know whether I " can furnish any statistics, drawn from the commitments to our prisons, showing the improved condition of our colored population." In reply, I am happy to say that I can, and I think the best mode of meeting your wishes will be to furnish a list of the number of colored persons who were tried, convicted and sentenced each year to labor in the Philadelphia County Prison, from October 19th, 1835, the date of its commencement, till December 31st, 1858. What is true of this one prison, it seems altogether likely would prove true of the others, when judged by the same rule. With these preliminary remarks I subjoin a catalogue of those sen- tenced to prison, after trial and conviction, carefully drawn from official sources. Year. Col'd Males. Col'd Femalea. Total. 1835* 53 23 76 1836 92 41 133 1837 92 38 130 1838 84 36 120 1839 105 41 146 1840 76 40 116 1841 78 27 105 1842 77 38 115 1843 59 13 72 1844 52 12 64 1845 68 18 86 1846 56 18 74 1847 58 20 78 1848 46 18 64 1849 67 8 75 1850 35 10 45 1851 54 15 69 1852 71 13 84 1853 57 17 74 1854 49 11 60 1855 53 20 73 1856 44 9 53 1857 43 18 61 1858 61 19 80 The population of our country is found to double itself every 25 * 2 months 11 days. 2 18 years. Wo may conclude then that growing cities, like Philadelphia and New York, double their number not 7'\ss often at least. The above list covers 23 years and something over. The colored, moreover, multiply quite as fast as the white. Now the schedule shows that on neither one of the last ten years has the sum of colored persons sentenced been so large as that of 1836, when the city population was y,ot even half of what it now is, and that the sentenced of 1857 fell short by 15 of those of 1835 (less than 3 months.) To myself it seems that the above list shows the cundition, moral and civil, of the colored race, to have greatly improved within the last 23 years, and to be far higher at this moment than it was at the commence- ment of that period. Trusting that these statistics may be satisfactory to yourself and the noble Society represented by yon, I remain, my dear sir. Very respectfully yours, Wm. J. Mullen, Prison Agent. in this letter we have the number of colored persons compared to- gether for a succession of years ; we now present a comparison of the convicts both white and colored for the same period. WHITE. COLORED TOTAL Both Colors. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. 1835» 70 10 : 80 53 23 76 1 156 1836 150 22 ' 172 52 41 133 ' 305 1837 136 18 154 1 t 92 38 130 284 1838 120 8 128 84 36 120 248 1839 99 15 114 105 41 146 : 260 1840 75 11 86 76 40 116 1 202 1841 91 20 111 78 27 105 1 216 1842 91 15 106 77 38 115 ! 221 1843 92 10 102 59 13 72 174 1844 79 9 88 52 12 64 152 1845 95 8 103 68 18 86 189 1846 95 9 104 56 18 74 178 1847 86 U 97 58 20 78 . 1"5 1848 83 13 96 46 18 64 160 1849 88 13 101 67 8 75 176 185iJ 99 10 109 I 35 10 45 154 1851 157 20 177 54 15 69 246 1852 212 21 233 71 13 84 317 1853 171 28 199 i 57 17 74 973 1854 181 25 206 : 49 11 60 266 1855 l.')3 23 156 53 20 73 229 1)^56 146 29 175 44 9 53 828 1357 171 37 208 1 *1^ 18 61 269 1858 8:>o 33 263 ' 61 1 19 80 343 2950 418 3368 ' 1530 523 2053 5421 *2 months, II days. 19 If we compare the aggregate number of colored persons convicted in each three years, we will find a gradual decrease amounting to near one-half in twenty years, whilst on the side of the whites, as will be seen from the above list, there has been a considerable increase. Colored persons convicted in 1835, 36, 37, (21 years), - 339 " " '< 1838, 39, 40, - - - 382 1841,42,43, . - - 292 •' " 1844,45,46, - - - 224 " '' " 1847,48,49, - - - 217 1850, 51, 52, - - ■ 198 " 1853, 54, 55, - - - 207 1856, 57, 58, - - - 194 If the year 1836, with its 133 colored convicts, be contrasted with 1856, having 53 convicts; 1837 and its 130 colored prisoners, with 1857 with 61, or 1839 numbering 146 convicts to 1858 with only 80, the improvement will be more strikingly manifest. In the years 1836, 37 and 38, the total number of convicts was 837, of whom the colored formed 45^ per cent., whilst in 1856, 57 and 58, we find 840 convicts, (about the same number,) of whom the colored portion amounts to 23-^ per cent. The following table exhibits the character of the crimes of which the colored people are convicted, embracing a period of 11 years, ending 12th month 31st, 1858. It will be found that the crimes of larceny, burglary, horse-stealing and receiving stolen goods, together amount to 92 — per cent, of the whole, leaving ~~ per cent, for all other crimes, and that larceny alone constitutes 88— per cent. CRIMES OF THE COLORED CONVICT? IN MOYAMENSING PRISON. CRIMES. Assault and Battery, with in- tent to kill Bipamy Pa.'il-ing Counterfeit Money- • - - Larceny Malicious Mischief Arson Burglary Misdemeanor Riot Carrying Concealed Weapooa - Mayhem Receiving Stolen Goods Adultery Hone Stealing 1845.1849.1850 I 16 6S 1 1 7 10 1851, 1852.11853 13 1854.11855.11856. 1857. '1S58, S.I ? 1 10 47 46 18 67 8.'35;10:54 15 71 13 57 17,49 11 53 20 44' 9 43 18 61 19 738 " * S . , S a 1 >*— u — •So li 52 1^ s g i 1 5 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 4 11 5 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 14 13 9 25 5 42 3 1 I 9 2 3 2 1 2 66 We here find Larceny, Burglary, Highway Robbery, and Robbery constitutes 84.84 per cent, of the whole criminals, not quite so large a proportion as that shown by Moyamensing Prison, which was 92.16 per cent. The table below gives the sentences of colored prisoners from Phila- delphia for five years. 1 ' Ykars. ! to .a § B o. i 9 B c i ft 16 months. 16 montha. 1 B 00 ft 1 m g s > n « .9" at 14 13 9 25 5 1 1854 1855 1856 [ 1857 ' 1858 1 1 6 5 9 1 1 2 3 1 1 3 4 6 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 •1 1 _21 1 6 2 7 11 1 2 1 8 1 1 4 66 ' * This person convicted in 1858 of burglary, and sentenced to five years, was received 4th mouth 10th, .ind discharged on habeas corpus, 5th month 17th, hftving been proved innocent- MB 10 3, 23 Of these 66 prisoners, 38 were convicted for the first time, 18 for the second time, and the remaining 10 three or more times. Their general habits are classified thus : Abstainers ... 8 Moderate drinkers . . 28 Sometimes intoxicated . 21 Often intoxicated : . 9 whichwouldjustifyusin asserting thatSSpercentofthe crimes committed by them are the result, directly or indirectly, of the use of intoxicating drinks. That this is rather below than above the true figures may well be inferred, when we consider the large number of taverns and grog shops, many of which are unlicensed, to be found in those sections which are largely inhabited by colored persons. It is stated that in the Third and Fourth "Wards alone there are 374 places where liquor is sold, and allowing an addition for part of Fifth and Seventh "Wards, we may safely conclude there are 450 to 500 liquor venders in that section of the city. It would be unreasonable to expect that a portion of the community against whom there exists such an unrelenting prejudice, and who are deprived of the civil and social privileges accorded to other classes, should be free from the commission of crimes which are inseparable from the evil associations by which they are surrounded. The percentage of those who abstained from intoxicating drinks in the Penitentiary at the close of the years 1856, 1857 and 1858 respectively, was 3.02, 1.50 and 2.23 per cent, of the whole number of prisoners, which goes to confirm our belief that the percentage above given is less than the actual state of the case. Regarding the nativities of these 66 prisoners, we find that 37 were born in Pennsylvania, 8 in other Free States, 19 in Southern States, and 2 in the "West Indies. HOUSE OF REFUGE. This Institution is intended rather to prevent than to punish crime, yet since some are committed to its care who otherwise would be lodged in prison, it would seem proper to notice it here, although the colored department having so recently been organized, a comparison with the white inmates can hardly be instituted. During the last five years there were received into it, exclusive of those returned after escape or indentvire, 1955 youths of whom 417 were colored, which gives us 21.33 per cent, for the colored against 78.67 per cent, for the whites. 24 Of this numb erthere were received from Philadelphia 1768, — 1385 of whom were white and 383 colored, giving the percentage 78.34 for white and 21. 6G per cent, for colored. Of the commitments 100 were made by the courts of Philadelphia, 72beingwhiteand28 colored. Thecommit- ments of whites by court, are to the whole number from Philadelphia 4.07 per cent., whilst those of the colored are 1.58 per cent. The number of commitments to the white department has increased from 534 in the five years from 1836 to 1840, to 1955, in the five years ending 1858. Of the colored youth received during the past five years, the nativi- tie.s of 303 were ascertained, of whom 41 or 13.20 per cent, were born in the Southern States and West Indies. o.^ O. .> "V •^ vP . 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