Jacob Vanderpool facts for kids
Jacob Vanderpool was an African-American man who holds a special place in Oregon's history. He is the only person known to have been forced to leave Oregon because of its "exclusion laws." These were unfair laws that tried to keep Black people out of the state.
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Jacob Vanderpool's Journey to Oregon
Jacob Vanderpool was a sailor from the West Indies. He arrived in Oregon in 1850 on a ship called the Louisiana. Vanderpool wanted to start a business career in Oregon. He tried to claim land, but he was not allowed because he was Black. So, he opened a saloon, restaurant, and boarding house in Oregon City. Some records suggest his businesses were in Salem, near the Oregon Statesman newspaper office.
The Exclusion Laws and Complaint
Oregon had strict "exclusion laws" at the time. These laws were designed to prevent Black people from living in Oregon. On August 20, 1851, a settler named Theophilus Magruder complained about Vanderpool. He said Vanderpool was a "mulatto" and was breaking the second exclusion law. This law was passed on September 21, 1849. It was specifically made to stop African American sailors from staying in Oregon. US Marshal Joseph L. Meek arrested Vanderpool before he was forced to leave the state.
The Legal Case Against Vanderpool
The legal case was called Theophilus Magruder v. Jacob Vanderpool. Vanderpool's lawyer argued that the exclusion law was not fair. He said it had not been properly approved by the legislature. Also, the law was meant to stop new Black people from moving to Oregon. It was not meant to remove people of color who already lived there. Because of this, the lawyer argued the law should not apply to Vanderpool.
Witnesses and the Judge's Decision
The prosecution called three witnesses. They wanted to confirm when Vanderpool arrived in Oregon. However, the witnesses' statements were not very clear. Despite this, the next day, Judge Thomas Nelson made his decision. Judge Nelson found Vanderpool guilty of breaking the exclusion law. He ordered Vanderpool to leave the territory within thirty days. A court official then removed Vanderpool from the area. Only six days passed from the time he was accused until he was expelled.
What Happened After His Expulsion
There are no official records about what happened to Jacob Vanderpool after he left Oregon. There are also no pictures of him. It is possible he moved to San Francisco. The 1870 Census shows a fifty-year-old man named Jacob Vanderpool living there. He was working as a hardware packer and living with a woman named Mary Vanderpool.
