Category Archives: Black History Month

Reuben at Work

Sacramento citty / October 4th, 1849 Master Sam– I take the pains to write you a few lines & wish to hear you are well & doing well. There is no time for dogeing [dodging] now. We expect to go … Continue reading

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Reverend Mr. Obadiah Summers

Obadiah Summers served as pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Chico in 1885, before moving on to serve congregations and build up churches in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Oakland. Summers was born a slave in Missouri in 1844. … Continue reading

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A Tale for Juneteenth

Black slavery in the United States did not disappear as soon as Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, nor did it end with the defeat of the Confederacy and the end of the American Civil War … Continue reading

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A Grand Celebration

For her column in The Elevator Jennie Carter reported on a grand celebration in Nevada City. Jennie wrote: Mr. Editor.– The celebration here on the 12th was a decided success, and has done much to give influence to the colored … Continue reading

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Lucy and Freedom

Black history in California has many tales to tell of slavery and freedom. Here is just one, the story of a girl named Lucy, who proved her freedom in spite of an attempt to re-enslave her. In the same issue … Continue reading

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A Black Vaquero in Butte County

Let’s begin Black History Month with a little item from early days on Rancho Chico. What kind of men did John Bidwell hire to work on Rancho Chico? In 1849 good reliable men were hard to come by — most … Continue reading

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