THE RICE FAMILY
CALIFORNIA FARMING PIONEERS
Written on a broken weathered headstone was the name Aaron Rice “The Faithful” Died 1906, Age 87 Yrs. It was in Potter’s Field within Martinez’s Alhambra Cemetery, where most people of color were buried along with immigrants, those without family, and too poor to afford a plot in the East end of the cemetery. When we first discovered Aaron’s broken headstone, we had no idea who he was or his ties to slavery and the historical events of the latter 1800s. It was not until we looked deep into his family’s story that we noticed their former enslavers, William and Louisa Rice, residing in a more prominent section of Alhambra.
Attempting to find census data (let alone any other information) for enslaved African-Americans during the period of slavery is extremely difficult, as they would only be listed by gender, age and color under slave schedules. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found numerous sources and documents from when Aaron’s Family arrived in California. By being able to combine this information with William’s family history, we were able to piece together a credible accounting of their movements prior to their arrival in Napa. As the authors of this piece, we are honored to have the ability to recite this amazing family’s story and wonder how many other African-American stories are yet to be uncovered.
We determined through census documentation and information from The Friends of Rice-Tremonti Home Association[1] that Aaron was born January 1819 on Archibald Rice’s cotton farm in Caswell County, North Carolina. He was the son of Robert and Dilcy, whose parents were listed as foreign born and arriving in South Carolina by slave ship. They were the property of Archibald and Sally Jane Rice and probably performed a large variety of tasks including carpentry, fieldwork, and domestic duties. “Archibald and Sally Rice moved from North Carolina to Missouri in the 1820s, …[2]”
We learned from William’s oral history[3] that the family moved from Howard to Monroe, finally settling near Independence in Jackson County, Missouri in the Fall of 1831. “In 1836 Archibald Rice settled on a claim of 160 acres in what is now Raytown. The Rice homestead was located eight miles from Independence on the Santa Fe Trail, …The family cleared the land and established a new home site and by 1838 had the northwest corner of Section Five nearly under fence; seeded with corn and wheat. …The Rice Farm quickly became a popular camping site for travelers bound for Santa Fe and California.[4]”
Like Archibald, the entire community of Jackson County was involved in some manner with the business of the trails west. Farmers grew corn to feed the animals, while raising and butchering hogs for trail supplies. Thousands of Spanish mules and oxen were fattened on the good grass made available to travelers. At least 27 original accounts by travelers (dating from 1838 to 1849) spoke favorably of Archibald’s hospitality. During 1849 alone about 490 men and 132 wagons lingered at the Rice campground.
Though Archibald was well thought of, we uncovered that he and his son William were willing supporters and participants in Missouri’s slave wars; 1) The Mormon war of 1838, 2) The Border War between Iowa and Missouri 1838-1839, 3) Bleeding Kansas 1854 – 1861. Due to his involvement (potential murder, torture and the like) and fearing repercussions, William flees. Fellow Missouri enslavers Major John Seawell and ex-Gov. Lilburn Boggs, who had already fled to California, invite William to join them.
William confesses “At the time politics ran high; and being somewhat mixed in the Kansas Troubles, our subject, thinking “discretion to be the better part of valor,” determined to leave for California; therefore, he sold his property. … and on April 28, 1859, left Independence, his train consisting of eight hundred and ninety head of cattle (mostly heifers), six wagons with four yokes of oxen to each, one ambulance for his family, thirty head of horses and mules, seventeen hired men and six favorite negroes.[5]” The U.S. Census of 1860 confirms that William’s “six favorite negroes” were indeed Aaron, his wife Charlotte, their two sons, Nathaniel and Louis, and Aaron’s parents, Robert and Dilcy.
By late 1859, they reached Napa. From several sources we learned that William’s family resided in Major Seawell’s home, while he rented a portion of Gov. Boggs farm. His intent was to leave Aaron’s family to work the farm and watch over his family, while he searched for a permanent residence. However, before he could begin, Gov. Boggs died on March 19, 1860, allowing William to purchase his land along with three enslaved people.
Aaron’s family now found themselves in unfamiliar but beautiful country and climate with approximately 4000-5000 other African-Americans in California. They probably were not aware that California was a free state or its adoption of the 1852 Fugitive Slave Law[6]. However, they might have noticed seemingly free African-Americans in nicer clothing and speaking with N Eastern Dialects.
By April Rev. Thomas Starr King (a renowned abolitionist) visits Napa and crosses paths with Aaron working William’s farm. The only account we have of Rev. King’s visit is mentioned in. She states, “Rev. Thomas Starr King went to a ranch near Napa, California, and emancipated a number of slaves. Among the number were the following named persons: Aaron Rice, Old Man Sours, Wash Strains, Old Man Sydes. Their names were given to the writer by a Mr. Grider, who was a member of the Bear Flag Party. He said that these persons were the slave-property of a gentleman in Walnut Creek and had been taken to Napa to continue as slaves, when the word reached Rev. Thomas Starr King, who proceeded to go to this place and emancipate them.[7]” To be clear, Mr. Grider stating that Rev. King “emancipated” Aaron was overstated, as his family were automatically free when they crossed the state line. Instead, he most likely informed Aaron of that fact. Since Aaron and his family were prevented from learning to read, it was easy for William to hide the truth from them.
In the 1860 Census, Aaron’s family is fully enumerated for the first time as Aaron 45, day laborer; his wife Charlotte 48 servant; youngest son Louis 12; all living in Napa with no personal wealth. On the other hand, Aaron’s parents Robert and Dilcy were never enumerated, and Aaron and Charlotte’s older son Nathaniel, 14, is listed as William’s servant and part of his Napa household.
At some point, Aaron made the decision to legally challenge William for Nathaniel’s freedom, despite the law preventing their testimony against a white man, and the looming threats of potential imprisonment or excessive fines. In People vs. Hall, the California Supreme Court ruled in 1854 “…The 394th section of the Act Concerning Civil Cases provides that no Indian or Negro shall be allowed to testify as a witness in any action or a proceeding in which a white person is a party. The 14th section of the Act of April 16th, 1850, regulating Criminal Proceedings, provides that “No black or mulatto person, or Indian, shall be allowed to give evidence in favor of, or against a white man.””
The Napa Register writes, “Almost an “Archy Case”[8] at Napa. The Napa Reporter says: “On the 10th August, Aaron Rice, a colored man, swore out a habeas corpus, declaring that his son, a boy of 17 or 18 years, was unlawfully restrained of his liberty by William Rice, who resides in this valley, and that the latter claimed said boy as a slave. The writ was granted by Judge Jacks, and Mr. Rice arrested.””[9] Aaron could not have found a better judge than the Honorable Pulaski Jacks, as he was from New York, Republican and thereby most likely an abolitionist sympathizer. William was immediately arrested and forced to appear before the Napa County’s Court of Sessions on Monday August 13, 1860.
Aaron is one of only four African-Americans known to have forced their former masters to face them in a California court.
However, instead of Aaron and William appearing before Judge Jacks, the case was heard by Justice Silus S. Tucker. Who (it should be noted) was not an Associate Justice, had no legal background, and was new to being Napa’s peace officer. We have attempted to obtain a copy of the original records with no avail. Nonetheless, we have the newspapers account, “Upon examination, it appeared that the complaint was unfounded, and on the 13th, Mr. Rice was discharged. There was no evidence that he claimed or exercised any authority over the boy in question. The facts seem to be that both Aaron and his son had been slaves of Mr. Rice at the East, and that some engagement had been entered into for their freedom on coming to California, but no coercion was used by Mr. Rice to enforce the agreement against Aaron and his son.[10]”
To add insult to injury, William immediately files charges of perjury against Aaron. The account continues, “On being discharged, Mr. Rice entered a complaint against Aaron for perjury. He was therefore arrested, and on examination before Justice S. S. Tucker, ordered to find bail in the sum of $500 for his appearance at the Court of Sessions.[11]” William’s oral history supports the Register’s account, “…was brought to trial at once, the case was dismissed, and the negro mulcted in costs.[12]” The account ends, “Edward Hatton and Jack Sinclair became bail, and Aaron was discharged from custody.[13]” For clarification Edward and Jack, who were also African-American, gave $500 worth of their own labor to secure Aaron’s release.
Before Nathaniel finally gained his freedom, his family would purchase 160 acres of farm land and put down roots. William Russell (also African-American) had acquired the property via the Preemptive Act of 1841[14]. However, because he had not made the required improvements he was forced to sell the farm to avoid its seizure. From the Napa County Registrar’s Office, we found the deed filed September 17, 1860, showing that Charlotte and Robert bought the farm from William for $100. Most likely Aaron (because of his recent arrest) was not allowed to be on it.
1860 brought about the turmoil of the approaching war and tension as about twenty percent of California’s white population were Southern sympathizers. The Rice family kept themselves busy by focusing on making a living, working their land and building a home. On April 12, 1861, the Confederacy carried out the attack on Fort Sumter, officially starting the Civil War. Although most of the country learned within hours of the strike, the news took 12 days to reach California.
An event that directly impacted the Rice family was the Great Flood during the winter of 1861-1862. The atmospheric river storms caused 43 days of rain and left the entire town of Napa under four feet of water. From our firsthand observation, their family farm was in the hills bordering town, which most likely prevented the flood waters from reaching their property. However, the excessive rains destroyed crops, caused mudslides, and cost California a quarter of its economy leading to the state’s eventual bankruptcy.
For at least the next three months, the Rices would have struggled to sell their crops and purchase goods in town. Adding to their strife, Louis dies. From the Pacific Appeal’s May 1862 issue, we found Louis’s obituary, “In Napa Valley, April 21st, of consumption, Lewis, son of Aaron and Charlotte Rice, aged 11 years and 8 months.” To ensure their farm is not seized by the government, Southern sympathizers or other squatters (due to potential flood damage of the county’s records), Robert files a Homestead Application on May 20, 1862.
Den Nottah’s letter to the editor in the Pacific Appeal dated Sep 1, 1862, gives us a peek into the family’s community and how their farm was faring. It states, “The number of colored persons in this city and county is 43. There are 8 farmers, 2 blacksmiths, 2 carpenters, 3 barbers, 5 wood speculators and poultry dealers, 4 jobbers. There are 13 families; 9 of whom own the houses they live in. Mr. Wm. Scott of this county, has raised, this year 3000 sacks of wheat; Geo. W. Holman 2200; John Sinclair 1700; A. Rice 460; the rest from 150 to 325 sacks. Mr. Sinclair has about 40 head of horses and cattle; Mr. Scott 55; others from 8 up to 20.”
Although we couldn’t find any family records from 1862 – 1867, here are the main events that occurred for context: By mid-1862 thousands of enslaved people escape to join Union forces, believing a Union victory would end slavery. On September 22, President Lincoln issues preliminary Proclamation 95 (Emancipation Proclamation) declaring that if the Confederacy did not cease their rebellion by January 1, 1863, it would become official. Robert E Lee surrenders to Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865. Unlike before, the news arrives much sooner as the Telegraph connects both coasts. Less than a week later, President Lincoln’s assassination on April 15, causes a riot in San Francisco. Although the Civil War finally ends on May 13, 1865, slavery doesn’t officially until June 19, when General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas reads out loud “General Order No. 3”. The date becomes commemorated as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, a national state holiday recognized in 45 states.
Faith played an integral part in Aaron’s family’s lives. In several articles, we found references to their Napa’s Methodist Episcopal Church (M.E.) membership. At the time, the closest African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) was in Sacramento. Although they were welcomed by the M.E.’s congregation, (who were abolitionists) their cultural differences made it difficult for them to discuss politics, issues, and education openly. This led Aaron’s family to cofound the Napa AME church, when M. E. members looking for a larger space sold their old building to the founders for $600.
From another deed dated October 2, 1867, we found that Jonathan and Amanda E. Pond sold to “E. Hatton, A. G. Jones, J. E. Nichols, Nathaniel Rice, Aaron Rice, Wm Brooks, and G. W. Beatty, Trustees of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church…” for $250 the “…Northern half of Lot number four (4) in Block number nineteen (19) in the Town of Napa,” which today is the middle of Oak between Randolph and Franklin streets.
Napa’s AME Church began with 30 parishioners and no permanent minister. Aaron’s father, Rev. Robert Rice, often officiated, despite not having any formal training. Public schools were not founded until the late 1870s, so most schools were located within a church structure, and the new AME Church was no different. From the March 18, 1871, Napa County Reporter, listing all places of worship was an announcement that read, “African Methodist Church, Washington St. — Rev. Robert Rice. Preaching every Sunday at 11 o’clock a.m., and 7 1/2 p.m. Sunday School at 2 1/2 o’clock p.m., Nathaniel Rice, Superintendent.”
In 1869, Robert sells two-thirds of his farm to Aaron for $1, and from the 1870 Census, we find the family living together. Robert is shown as “Head of Household” aged 70, followed by his wife Dilcy 74, Aaron 49, Nathaniel 24, and Charlotte 58. Robert’s occupation is “farmer”, Dilcy’s is “keeping house”, Aaron and Nathaniel are “laborers”, while Charlotte has none listed. Robert’s property value is $1,000 (remember that 10 years earlier they bought it for $100), while his personal estate is valued at $600 and Nathaniel’s at $200 (with no mention of Aaron’s). By September 25, 1874, the terms of Robert’s Homestead Application are fulfilled.
Joseph Hatton’s Barber Shop (located on Main Street across from the Napa Opera House) also served as a hub of their community outside of the AME Church. Their barber shop sat alongside the Napa Creek which fed into the Napa River. Aaron would have gone there to get the latest news when steamers stopped and delivered newspapers at the wharf. Joseph and his father Edward were field agents for the African-American San Francisco newspapers, the Pacific Appeal founded in 1862 who believed in the creation of an independent African-American community and the Elevator founded in 1865 who believed in total integration of African-Americans in all aspects of society including education.
Eunsun Celeste Han writes, “Aside from carrying letters, parcels, and people, the steamers helped circulate one of the most crucial mediums of nineteenth century community building: Newspapers. … Black Californians learned of every upcoming event, newly opened black business, Sunday schedules of black churches in various different cities, the prominent political issues of the day, and the birth, death, weddings, and injuries of black people up and down the Pacific Coast.[15]”
To put pressure on the California Legislature to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment, both the Elevator and the Pacific Appeal sponsored efforts to preregister African-Americans throughout the state to vote. From the November 26, 1869 Number 34 issue of The Elevator, “Joseph Hatton, a black barber in Napa, California, issues a list of the prospective voters in his area.” 38 African-Americans including Aaron, his son Nathaniel and his father Robert eagerly went to Joseph Hatton’s Barbershop to become a member of that list.
When the news arrived that the Fifteenth Amendment had been ratified on February 5, 1870 Aaron and his community celebrated. On March 30, 1870 Phillip Bell wrote in his newspaper, the Elevator, “PROGRESS OF LIBERTY! Gloria triumphe! We are free! The Fifteenth Amendment which confers upon us full rights of citizenship has received the ratification of the requisite number of States.”
The Napa County Reporter recorded the events of April 11, 1870, in detail with an unfortunate racist slant: “At about noon a couple of anvils were brought into requisition, and made to play the part of a cannon. At or near 1 o’clock in the afternoon the exercises of the day commenced in Hartson’s Hall. Prayer was offered up to the Most High, and was followed by singing. Fred Sparrow acted as President of the day and Joseph Hatton as Vice President. Thomas Gains read the 13th, 14th, and 15th Constitutional Amendments. Music. Then came the oration by Mr. Hillery of San Francisco – a genuine but pretty smart darkey. Hillery is a good speaker, and as he was speaking in behalf of his own race his remarks brought forth the most enthusiastic applause from his colored countryman. Like most darkies Hillery has a full appreciation of the humorous, and besides is something of a wag himself; consequently he kept quite a crowd in a good humor for some time. We will not refer particularly to his remarks, but [unreadable] say his reflections upon foreigners was entirely out of place, more particularly as there were a number present. If the negro expects to be a good citizen he must not allow prejudice to get the better of him. The festivities of the day passed off agreeably to the colored people, and nothing occurred to mar or interfere with their jollification. In the evening they set a collision in Quinn & Williams Hall, and sang, marched around the room and enjoyed themselves until near midnight.”
On April 15, 1870 voting registration began in Napa with Frederick Sparrow (a 27-year-old barber in Napa City) registering first at the County Court House followed by Nathaniel. Aaron, and Robert took their rights as citizens and the ability to vote on April 16, never missing an opportunity to do so up until their individual deaths. Side note: it took the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to push California to finally ratify the Fourteenth Amendment in 1959 and the Fifteenth Amendment in 1969.
Aaron’s family grows on November 23, 1872, when Nathaniel marries Rebecca Donzal (who was biracial White and Chinese). However, Aaron and Nathaniel suffer horrible heartbreak over the course of a year starting in 1875. It begins with the death of Rev. Robert Rice 75 on March 20 from dropsy. Rebecca 21 passes on November 1, from consumption. Dilcy 84 dies on February 16, 1876 from “old age”, and lastly Charlotte 64 on March 3, from typhoid fever. (All of whom are buried with Louis in Tulocay Cemetery’s Potter’s Field in unmarked graves). Finally, some joy returns to their lives when Nathaniel 31 marries Edward Hatton’s stepdaughter Annie Elizabeth Dyer 27 on October 31, 1877.
At that time, probate filings had a grace period of four years from date of death to resolve estates where no will was formally filed or found. Aaron hired attorney Andrew Jackson Hall to file his mother’s probate on January 17, 1880, only after he sold his interest in the family farm for $1,000 to Manual Lucas on the same day. Presumably this was to have the money needed to cover the legal fees. (Side note: Aaron, who couldn’t read or write prior to these filings, signs his actual name instead of using an X. Hereafter, his signature improves in legibility as he gains literacy.) After selling the property, Aaron moves in with Nathaniel and Annie, residing on Napa’s Main Street. According to their 1880 and 1881 voter registrations, Aaron continues farming while Nathaniel works first as a teamster, then a peddler.
Nathaniel and Annie then follow her family to Vallejo where Nathaniel works as a laborer according to his March 16, 1882 registration. Meanwhile, Aaron 66 moves to Walnut Creek according to his September 15, 1886 voter registration. He continues farming while living on Louisa’s (enslaver William’s widow) ranch. With William’s death from heart failure the year before (November 4, 1885), and the promise of payment for his services, Aaron was willing to work again for his previous enslaver’s family.
According to deeds of sale recorded by the Napa County Recorder’s Office, Nathaniel acquired two parcels (160 acres and 80 acres) of state school land located around Yountville. The State of California’s land office sold property specifically set aside for new schools. Presumably, Nathaniel’s intent was to build an African-American grade school, while serving as its headmaster and a school teacher. He sold the 80-acre parcel on January 16, 1886 for $5 to a James E. Francis and George Cuthbert. Hoping to accomplish his dream, he held on to the 160-acre parcel for almost two years before finally giving up and selling it to the same buyers for another $5 on October 22, 1887.
Nathaniel’s 42 May 31, 1888 voter registration records his and Annie’s return to E Napa as a farmer. Soon after Annie 39 dies on January 11, 1890 from paralysis (stroke), while living in Oakland. Nathaniel finds work there as an expressman after her death. The 1891 Oakland City Directory lists him at 708 4th St, while his September 27, 1892 voter registration records his move to 664 4th Street. Meanwhile, Aaron continues to live and farm on Louisa’s ranch according to his October 19, 1892, voter registration.
By 1893, the Napa AME Church officially closes. Aaron, Nathaniel, and A. C. Jones (the surviving trustees/founders) sell the property on May 9, for $700 to H.H. Briggs. With the last connection to their home gone, Nathaniel continues his wanderlust, finding odd jobs along the way. Aaron 75 on the other hand, stays on the Rice Ranch as a laborer according to his July 8, 1886 voter registration.
The 1900 Census shows Nathaniel 53 is back in Napa, lodging with the Canners, and working as a day laborer, while Aaron now 80 is still in Walnut Creek working as Louisa’s servant, who has become quite frail. This is the first official record we found listing Aaron’s literacy. Louisa 82 passes at home from unknown causes on February 6, 1904. At this point Aaron is 85, frail and weak. According to his official death certificate and obituary, Aaron was taken to the Martinez County Hospital on July 24, 1905 by a neighbor, Joel Harlan, suffering with kidney trouble.
Eight days later, he dies from “old age” on July 31 and is finally laid to rest in the County Cemetery’s (now Alhambra Cemetery’s) Potter’s Field on August 4. Aaron was well known as a preacher around the Bay Area. His obituary states that his son, Nathaniel, also a preacher, was living in Portland, Oregon at the time of Aaron’s death.
Nathaniel’s final record was his death certificate from Seattle, King County, Washington. It records his admittance to the local hospital on May 1, 1917, before dying July 19, from cirrhosis of the liver and dropsy (edema) at the age of 71. Additionally, it lists him living as a border and working as a peddler in Seattle prior to his death. He is buried July 21, in Seattle’s Lakeview Pioneer Cemetery.
We started this journey after discovering Aaron’s broken headstone and wanting to know who he was. According to its inscription, he died on July 31, 1906, age 87 with “The Faithful” noted under his name. However, after receiving a copy of his death certificate, we found that the headstone was off by a year. Why the discrepancy, and who installed his headstone? A major clue can be found in “The Faithful” phrase, as it was known to be inscribed on the headstones of people formerly enslaved, by their former enslavers or their families. This was done to martyr the individuals and thereby justify their enslavement, insinuating that they had remained “loyal” to their enslavers by not leaving. The fact that the stone also has the wrong date could be because significant time had lapsed before its installation.
Joseph and Judie Palmer are founders and Board Directors of the Martinez Cemetery Preservation Alliance (MCPA) and Potter’s Field Restoration Project. Additionally, Joseph is a Martinez Historical Society (MHS) Board Director and Cemetery Committee Chair, while Judie is a Contra Costa County Genealogical Society Board Director. They also head up a joint research team made up of members from both MCPA and MHS.
The study of the human condition has fascinated both since childhood. With interests in Anthropology, Archaeology, Genealogy, Philosophy, Sociology and of course History, they have never been satisfied with the status quo as they explore the world and continue to seek answers.
This essay is submitted on behalf of MCPA and MHS and represents the culmination of several years of research and “Underground Echoes” columns published by the Martinez News-Gazette and their Underground Echoes Blog on the MCPA website.
[1] The Friends of Rice-Tremonti Home Association Website Published 2017
[2] The Friends of Rice-Tremonti Home Association Website Published 2017
[3] History of Contra Costa County published by W. J. Slocum & Co. 1882 pg. 636
[4] The Friends of Rice-Tremonti Home Association Website Published 2017
[5] History of Contra Costa County published by W. J. Slocum & Co. 1882 pg. 637
[6] Stacy Smith’s Pacific Bound: California’s 1852 Fugitive Slave Law published by Black Past, January 6, 2014
[7] Delilah L. Beasley’s The Negro Trail Blazers in California published 1819 pg. 91
[8] Matt Helm’s Archy Lee Case 1858 published by Black Past, November 10, 2010
[9] Newspaper Napa Register published August 20, 1860
[10] Newspaper Napa Register published August 20, 1860
[11] Newspaper Napa Register published August 20, 1860
[12] History of Contra Costa County published by W. J. Slocum & Co. 1882 pg. 640
[13] Newspaper Napa Register published August 20, 1860
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preemption_Act_of_1841
[15] Eunsun Celeste Han’s dissertation, All Roads Lead To San Francisco: Black Californian Networks of Community and the Struggle for Equality 1849-1877 published M.A., Brown University 2010 pgs. 95-96