Statistics of the Colored People of Philadelphia/Chapter 4
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, | 1 |
| Bonnet Presser, | 1 |
| Book Binder and Basketmaker, | 1 |
| Boot and Shoemakers, | 66 |
| Boot and Shoemakers 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, Moulders, 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 |
| Chair Maker, | 1 |
| Coach Painter, | 1 |
| Confectioners and Pastry Cooks, | 7 |
| Coopers, | 9 |
| Cracker Bakers, | 3 |
| Cupper and Leecher, and Dress Maker, | 1 |
| Currier, | 1 |
| Dentists, | 5 |
| Distillers, | 2 |
| Draughtsmen, Sign, and Ornamental Painter, | 1 |
| Dressmakers, | 565 |
| Dress and Shirt Makers, | 50 |
| Dress and Shirt Makers, and Milners, | 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 |
| Gardners, | 2 |
| Garment Cutters, | 2 |
| Glove Maker, | 1 |
| Gold and Silver Pencil Finisher, | 1 |
| Hatters, | 4 |
| Hair Workers, | 5 |
| Hair Worker and Dressmaker, | 1 |
| House and Ship Carpenter, | 1 |
| House Painters and Glaziers, | 7 |
| House and Sign Painters and Glaziers, | 3 |
| Ink and Blacking Maker, | 1 |
| Iron Moulder, | 1 |
| Ladies' Shoemakers, | 4 |
| Lampblack Maker, | 1 |
| Machinist, | 1 |
| Manufacturing Chemists, | 2 |
| Map Mounters, | 2 |
| Mason and Bricklayer, | 1 |
| Mason and Plasterer, | 1 |
| Masonic and Odd Fellows Regalia Makers, | 2 |
| Millers, | 4 |
| Milliners and Dressmakers, | 45 |
| Millwright, | 1 |
| Mineral 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 Phonography, the Guitar, and Singing, and Daguerreotypist, | 1 |
| Potters, | 2 |
| Pressman, | 1 |
| Printer, | 1 |
| Printers' Ink Maker, | 1 |
| Rectifier, | 1 |
| Rigger, | 1 |
| Rope Maker, | 1 |
| Rope and Brickmaker, | 1 |
| Rope and Brickmaker, and Blacksmith, | 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, | 1 |
| Shoemaker and Carpenter, | 1 |
| Sign and Ornamental Painter, | 1 |
| Silver Smith, | 1 |
| Spectacle Maker, | 1 |
| Stationary Engineers, | 9 |
| Stereotyper Moulder and Caster, | 1 |
| Stove Finisher, | 1 |
| Stove Maker, | 1 |
| Sugar Refiner, | 1 |
| 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 |
| Assistant in Pencil Factory, | 1 |
| 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 |
| Midwife, | 1 |
| Musicians, | 6 |
| Music Teachers, | 5 |
| Musicians and Music Teachers, | 4 |
| Physicians, | 6 |
| School Teachers, | 16 |
| Trimming Store, | 1 |
| —– | |
| Total, | 59 |
In the year 1838, our Society published a pamphlet entitled "Register of Trades of Colored People in the City of Philadelphia and Districts." The material for the work was collected from the canvassing books of the Agents employed to take the census, published by the Society 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 mentioned, are not found in the present trade list, viz.: Black and White Smiths, Chair Bottomers, Fullers, Scythe and Sickle Maker, Stone Cutter, and Tobacconists. It makes no mention of Artists, Clerks, Lumber 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 1652. 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 Mounters, 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 maker, Stationary Engineers, Stereotype Moulder and Caster, Stove Finishers, Stove Maker, Tallow Chandler, Umbrella Maker, Upholsterers, Varnish Manufacturer, 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 unrelenting prejudice against their color.