Sanderson documents

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in S.F. this City and State. Cal'a [California]

We must not forget would not forget our obligations to those who were associated with him in The Board and who co-operated with him in The Board, nor those in The Common Council, who sanctioned the action.

The day of the opening of the School, was one of rejoicing to the parents and friends. A goodly company assembled in the School room. I think William O'Grady was the only member of the Board present. Of our own people. I remember Messrs. Moore the Teacher. Townsend the lamented Newby, Townsend, Lester, Gibbs, Pointer, Harper, Moses, Seales, Kane, Collins, Dyer, and others, with a number of ladies, Mrs. Collins, Dyer, Cain Joseph Brown etc. ever forward in countenancing and promoting good works.

The Company numbered about forty. The Room was dedicated to the cause of Education, brief addresses being made by several.

William O'Grady gave some excellent advice to parents in the matter of sending our children to the school; ---

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improving such opportunities as as were opened to them: Learn to to study and to wait

"For the good time coming." which, he believed would come, when the higher advantages of education would will be extended to the children of the humblest citizen irrespective of complexion.

A vote of thanks was tendered him by the company, and the School became a fact in the history of San Francisco. Its influence has greatly promoted the success of exertions efforts exertions made by our friends to secure Schools in Sacramento. Marysville & Stockton. In 1856, when in Sacramento an effort was made to obtain from the Common Council an appropriation for the support of a school for colored children. William O'Grady was requested to share inform us how the school in San Francisco was sustained, in view of the Law; and although his answer was a Confession that it was only by a special appropriation, from the City and County

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School funds made by The Board of Education. --- the Common Council consenting that our School was maintained, yet it was evident shown that so just and necessary was this action, that liberal citizen men approved, and enemies were ashamed to oppose an arrangement so commendable, and The Board was safe in making it.

The Mayor of Sacramento James McEnglish with Messrs. Hardy and Hayden of the Cammere [Commerce] Council of 1856 however, refused their consent to any appropriation yet to the Credit of Messrs. F. Tukey, Superintendent J. F. Morse Dr. Hatch Mr. Wiggin, J. B. Harmon of The Board of Education, --- out of their straitened [straightened] Fun, they paid $25, a month to the teacher of the Colored School, and encouraged him to go forward. That school would not have lived without their aid. and It was the Nucleus of the present school in Sacramento. Under similar circumstances the schools of Marysville and Stockton were established and have been carried on.

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Mr. Rev John J Moore, the first teacher here in S. Francisco. was a gentleman who felt deeply the importance of his work, and devoted himself to it with zeal and faithfulness.

On account of his health he retired from the school in 1858. The teachership then passed to me J B Sanderson. My connection with this school has brought me into frequent contact with the members of this Department, Superintendents and Directors and teachers; afforded me occasional opportunities of visiting the Schools; made me acquainted with the wishes of parents, and the necessities of the children.

In a retrospect of the past six years. --- if there recur a few disagreable [disagreeable] scenes and incidents so there are very have been many happy hours, pleasant days, well remembered. In the school - room, with the scholars days and weeks have passed so swiftly that I have scarcely observed their flight. The school room has been forgotten, in the interest heart and mind absorbing character of the work. It is hearts affection and minds intellect in which the teacher

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labors; And how almost overwhelming has it times has been the consciousness of my inefficiency. Who is sufficient for these things

How Much the teachers of your children need association with others in the profession; The counsel and encouragement of Directors and Superintendents, and especially the cooperation of parents.

With the members of the School Department my limited intercourse has been pleasant. In their schoolrooms -- when visited, teachers have treated me with politeness courtesy.

Superintendents Janes and Denman, while in authority with much kindness; The former with friendliness. It was always with pleasure that My brief visits were made to their office.

Other members of The Board I may mention -- Messrs. Pierson, Mr. ONeil, Dr. Knowles Mr. Cofran, Mr. Widler. Mr. Hitchcock the present Director of our District -- have encouraged me and the scholars by their occasional kind attentions and words. Mr. Badger