The California State Convention of the Colored Citizens continues today in Sacramento. Many Baptists are present.
Delegates hear reports regarding the colored population in the state. The report from the “City of Marysville and Vicinity” (in Yuba County) includes news from the city’s colored Baptist church.
“Number of Adults…156
Children under five years of age…24
Children over five years of age…26
Total…206
Estimated wealth…163, 690
Occupations
Barbers…18
Vegetable, fruit and poultry dealers…6
Porkraisers…7
Soap manufactory…1
Fancy hair-workers…2
Druggist…1
Junk dealer…1
Bathhouse keepers…3
Engaged in Laundry business…10
Carpenters…2
Cooks…5
Farmers…25
General jobbers…12
Hostlers…3
Seamstresses…4
Dress-makers…4
Public Porters…11
Miners…12
Number of Churches, 2 both unfinished, though occupied.
The Baptist Church is entirely out of debt; the Methodist owes about 400. One Public School; average attendance about 20. Two Sabbath Schools, fair attendance. Mining Companies, 3; in two of which well defined ledges have been struck. The Rare Ripe Company has been incorporated, and about $2,000 has been expended upon it. The highest yield per ton, $25. No work has been done for several months, owing to some of the stock having to pass through administration. Will resume again in a few days. The morals of the people are good.
No drinking saloon, billiard saloon, nor gambling dens, in the county. No professional gamblers.”
Sources: “Proceedings of the California State Convention of the Colored Citizens, Held in Sacramento on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th of October, 1865” (link)
