The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-30
AT RIGA!
The Colored Population
Of Philadelphia.
Their Numbers, Callings, and
Manner of Life.
Their Wealthy Men-What They are
Worth and How They Made
Their Money.
Their Churches, Preachers, and
Church Members.
Their Schools and School Teachers
Their Schools and School Teachers
Their Artists, Litterateurs, and Nota.
bilities in General.
ETC., ETC., Etc, ETC.. Etc., Etc

Enough has been said, enough has been
written, for the present at least, concerning
the colored population of the southern section
of the country. Their grievances are well
understood, their rights are about being Sc
cured in such a manner that they will be
placed beyond the reach of Rebel malice, and
it now becomes us 10 lnqu re into the numbers,
character, and condition of those of kindred
race who reside in our very midst.
The COlOred Population of the city and
State.
A glance at the returns Of the Census of 1860
will show that the negro population Of Phila-
delphia was by far the largest of all the North
ern cities, New York at that time having but
1854, while Philadelphia had 91T7 males and
l3,OOS females, or total of 22,ls5. The entire
colored population of the State of Pennsylva-
MA at the same time, was 26,37a males and
30,476 females-a total of 56,e49. Daring the
past six years, it is estimated that the aggre-
gate population of the State has increased full
25 per cent, and that Of the city about
33 per cent. Placing the estimated increase of
the colored portion of the population in the
State at large at only 20 per cent, and that of
the city at rs per cent, and we will have at
least $4,000 colored persons in Pennsylvania
and %, 900 In Philadelphia. The greater portion
familiar with their haunts in the city, belong
to the very lowest orders of society, as far as
intelligence and bodily comfort are concerned.
Yet among them are many men of
large wealth and considerable refinement.
while their churches and schools are
in d very Aourishing condition. The emu
meration of all the points of interest connected
with this peculiar portion of our city popula.
&c n,1 oc
We therefore give the brighter side of the pic.
ture alone on this occasion, reserying for
another the other and more sorrowful phase of
negro life. For the sake of avoiding confusion,
we have classed all the persons of prominence,
whose names we mention to-day, under the
heads of the profession or occupation by which
they earn a livelihood, commencing with the
CHRISTIAN ministry, as it is the most dignifed,
although the least lucrative of all.
The COIOred Churches Their Pastors
and People.
Religious enthusiasm is a well-known charac-
teristic OF the African race, in all countries,
and under all circumstances. While we cannot
say that the sublime truths of Christianity are
thoroughly understood and appreciated by any
great number, it is certain that whenever they
are proclaimed to an African congregation !
they meet with the most general acceptation.
as consequence, the proportion OF church |
members among our eolored population is
as large as the white race, as a general rule, !
can justly lay claim to. Some of the white |
churches in this city have number of regular !
colored attendants, and it may be that some of |
them still retain the names of Colored members |
upon their rolls. But the race has provided for
itself church accommodations OF its own by no
means insignificant. The buildings can lay no |
particular claim to architectural beauty, but as
general rule are convenient and comfortable;
while the officiating ministers are frequently
men OF intelligence, both natural and acquired.
War n OF
men OF wealth and prominence in business
circles, and in some there is more leaning
towards the fashionable follies of this wicked
world than beCOmeth the saints. The following
is an outline of the different churches OF various
denominations which are scattered throughout
the city:-
ST. THONAs PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
which is located on Fifth street, below Adelphl,
was one of the first in the city In the order OF
establishment, as it perhaps Is at present the
most aristocratic. 1t was founded in the year
1898, with membership of about ZOO which,
during the long period of its existence, mas been
extended 10 only 800. This tardy progress Is
accounted for by many drawbacks, the prin-
clpal one among when Is sTa .I 70 nave t, heen
Absalom Jones was the first pastor his next
regularly stationed successor having been the
late William Douglas who labored in this field
during a period ,of tweRtyeight years. In
December 1852, he was succeeded by the pre-
sent pastor, the Rev. William j. Allston. Mr..
AlIston's father was in his early life, the slave
of an induBenJ mdSter, near halelgn, NOrth
Carolina. When about twenty.four years of age,
his master was offered $1,000 for him; but few
days after this, he granted him his freedom on
request, stipulating for the payment of one
thousand dollars in return, in regular monthly
lnstalments. The freedman opened barber
shop, and also a small store, In Raleigh and in
six months had paid the price of his freedom In
full. BY continued industry and economy, he
has been able to accumulate handsome pro-
perty. Young Allston, who was free ,from his
birth, his mother having been granted her
freedom, became tailor by trade. By-and.by
he was invited TO become the regular cutter for
q colored mission school in the Blue Ridge sec
ton of North Carolina, where he enjoyed en-
Viable advantages for acquiring the rudiments
of an education. He subsequently became a
etudent Of KENYON COLLAGE at Gamhier Ohio |