Although not enslaved, the free people color, as they were called, were only quasi-free. Each was required to have a white guardian, a person of their choosing. Since they were not citizens, they could neither vote, hold political office, or serve on juries. Besides, there were many additional laws and local ordinances that limited their freedom.

The City of Savannah's register of Free Persons of Color, 1817-29 lists the following information for the year 1823:

There were 157 free persons of color, 108 female, 49 male
The women were listed by the following occupations: Washwomen (30), Seamstresses (26), Vendors of Small Wares (11), Cooks (8), Pastry Cooks (6), House Keepers (5), Shopkeepers (4), Nurses (3), Servants (3), Spinsters (Spinners) (3), Midwives (2), and one each of Hairdresser, Gardening, Mantua Maker, Baker, Cook and Washer, Keeper of Oyster House, Serving Woman, and Market Cook.
The men were Draymen (8), Tailors (7), Carpenters (6), Coopers (5), Butchers (5), Barbers (3), Preachers (2), Servants (2), Laborers (2), and one each of Farmer, Blind Fiddler, Physician, Fisherman, Wagoner, Shoemaker, Carterman, and Ship Carpenter.

Among this group of free persons were Henry and Betsy Cunningham, whose house is seen at right. Click on the names or on the house for more information about the Cunninghams.

In 1848, the population of Savannah was 13, 463. The Census of the City lists 7,150 whites and 6,313 blacks. The city was divided into 25 wards and districts, of which the most populated was Oglethorpe Ward with 999 whites and 1327 blacks. By far the least populated ward was Monterey, with only 18 whites and 9 blacks.
 

“Some of these Negroes did considerable business making large sums of money. I will mention one well-known case. A Negro woman named Aspasia Mirault kept a bakery and confectionery for many years at the Northeast Corner of Bull and Broughton Streets [site today of the restaurant Il Pasticcio]. She was highly respected and conducted herself in a manner which would have done credit to some of our white citizens. She sold delicious ice-cream of the most popular flavors. Her husband, Simon Mirault, kept another establishment on the Western side of Broughton Street near Whitaker.” --William Harden, Recollections of a Long and Satisfactory Life, 1934

William J. Claghorn, also spelled Cleghorn, (1822-1878) was a free black businessman who in 1855 proposed an Episcopal mission for blacks, and offered the space above his bakery at the corner of Liberty and Habersham Streets as a meeting place. St. Stephen’s congregation first met there in January of 1856.

In 1846 Claghorn had obtained freedom for himself and his family, which included his wife Cornelia, and their daughter Mary Elizabeth. They had previously worshipped at the Episcopal mission on the Savannah River. Claghorn was also a caterer, and had several employees, including three white men. By 1860, he owned $4000 in real estate and $2000 in personal property. St. Stephen’s register of 1868 lists him as a resident of Bryan St. In 1872 he was among those who petitioned the school board to improve the education of blacks.

Adapted from African American Episcopalians in Savannah: Strife, Struggle and Salvation, 1750-1995
 

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