Buy Now! African Americans of San Francisco documents the contributions made by both pioneers of the 1800 and present individuals who helped to establish viable African American communities in the far west city of San Francisco, California. It is an overview of black pioneers of the 19th century who had over come great odds of slavery, racial discrimination, and economic struggle to develop communities in San Francisco and documents the work of 20th-century leaders who protected the rights of San Francisco’s black residents. African Americans of San Francisco examines aspects of life and conditions for black residents, as well as chronicles the social, political, and cultural contributions of the city’s African American...

Read More

Mufflin Wistar Gibbs, born in Philadelphia April 12, 1823, worked with Frederick Douglass as an abolitionist lecturer throughout the East Coast. In 1849, Gibbs came to San Francisco and worked as boot-blacker (shoe shine stand business). In the1850s, Gibbs started a clothing business in the San Francisco with Peter Lester a fellow Philadelphian. In 1855, Gibbs was co-founder of San Francisco’s first black newspaper: the Mirror of the Times. This newspaper lasted from 1855-1857. The Mirror of the Times spurned two successful newspapers that followed five years later and lasted through the end of the century. In 1858, Mifflin Gibbs left San Francisco because of the growing racial prejudice towards African Americans. He lead the migration of 200 other black families from San Francisco to Victoria BC. In Victoria BC, Gibbs became a very successful and wealthy coal shipper. Later, he returned to the United States and lived in Little Rock Arkansas where he became a judge and a US Consul to Madagascar. He retired in Little Rock and lived there until July 11, 1915 (Lapp). (“California Historical Society,...

Read More

In 1849, George W. Dennis came to California as a slave to his white father’s company of gamblers who desired to profit from gold miners. After three months, George Dennis, who had a mind for business was able to buy his freedom from his father with the money he had earned as a porter at the El Dorado Hotel located at Washington and Kearney Street. Dennis saved his earnings, and from the sweepings from the gambling table, he bought his freedom for $1000 and started a business. George Dennis later owned several properties in San Francisco, as well as, the largest horse livery business in the city. In 1858, Dennis helped finance the Archie Lee defense team. In 1855, Dennis married Margaret Brown, the sister of Charlotte Brown, and raised eleven children who eventually raised their children in San Francisco. The Dennis family members were outstanding leaders in San Francisco. The Dennis children became teachers, lawyers, and businessmen/women in San Francisco. The desire for business and to achieve in leadership lasted throughout many generations of the Dennis family (Beasley120-121). (“California Historical Society, de Young Collection, FN-19961/CHA20111.513.tif...

Read More

In 1858, the Kearney Street Hall of Justice was home for Archy Lee, fugitive slave, until he became a free man. At eighteen, Archy Lee was brought to California in1857 by Mississippian Charles Stovall to work in the gold mines. When Stovall decided to send Archy back, Archy resisted and hid in, black owned, Hackett Hotel. When found, Archy was tried under the California Fugitive Slave Law and won his case and declared a free man. But a State Supreme Court Justice reversed the decision under a dead state slave law. When Stovall moved Archy to San Francisco to board a vessel traveling to Mississippi, black leaders George W. Dennis, Mifflin Gibbs, and Peter Lester hired a team of white lawyers to appeal Archy’s case. Archy won his case, but a U.S. Marshall rearrested him in the courtroom under the 1850 National Fugitive Slave Law. Soon, riots broke out in front of the courthouse on Kearney Street and Archy’s case was retried. After winning his case, Archy joined San Francisco’s black families who resettled in Victoria, British Columbia (Lapp 148-152). (Courtesy “California Historical Society,...

Read More

This is the Thomas Bell house on Octavia Street where Mary Pleasant lived between1860 and 1870 as a housekeeper to Thomas Bell and his wife. Prior to living with the Bell’s Mary was considered by some one of San Francisco’s most notorious madam. In addition, she continued to provide financial support to both individuals and organizations for specific community needs. She is known today as the Mother of Civil Rights for her efforts to secure the rights of San Francisco’s black citizens to enjoy equal access to the pubic railroad transportation system. After Charlotte Brown won her case against the Omnibus Rail Company, Mary Pleasant in 1868 sued the rail company on behalf of black citizens and won. This case protected the rights of African Americans to ride the public rail system. It is believed that on April 14, 1858, Mary Pleasant provided housing for Archy Lee when he was declared a free man. According to historians, Mary Pleasant provided funds for Archy’s defense. (Courtesy of SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC...

Read More

In April 1852, Mary Ellen Pleasant, born a slave between 1814-1817 in Virginia (or Georgia), moved to San Francisco from Virginia. Freed when young, Mary was sent to Massachusetts for an education. During the 1840s, Mary Pleasant and her husband helped many slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. With her husband’s money after his death, it is believe Mary Pleasant helped to finance the John Brown raids. In San Francisco, Mary Pleasant was a successful businesswoman, civil rights activist, and philanthropist. She started the first boarding house and provided housing for homeless girls and women. Mary Pleasant, worth at least $30, 000 in real estate in 1870 (Daniels 26), died penniless in 1904. In 1975, The City placed a memorial plaque and six eucalyptus trees as a tribute Mary Peasant’s legacy at Octavia and Bush Street. (“California Historical Society,...

Read More