In 1902, the Bahama Islands, per capita, was probably the most educated and most churched country/colony in the world.
Population 1902:—- 55,190
The total number of children enrolled in education was 10,111. Of this 10,111, the educational spread between boys and girls was almost 50/50. There were 5,158 boys and 4,953 girls enrolled in some type of education.
There were 436 marriages, 2,131 births and 1,299 deaths.
Types of causes of death in 1902 – Typhoid Fever, Consumption, Old Age, Drowning, Diarrhoea and infant fever deaths were quite common.
In March 1902, James Fernander, and wife Agnes Fernander (nee Hall), welcomed twin boys. Hopefully, they lived to adulthood. Infant mortality was quite high at the turn of the 20th century.
There were approximately 7,589 students enrolled in 60 government schools across the Bahama Islands. These numbers offer that on average, there were 127 students in each of the 60 schools.
The Church of England had 31 FREE SCHOOLS with 1,574 scholars. On average there were 51 students in each school.
The Catholics had 3 schools with 404 scholars. On average there were 135 students in each Catholic school.
There were 27 licensed private schools with 527 students. On average, there were 20 students enrolled per private school.
There were 4 High Schools with 67 students enrolled. On average, in 1902, there were 17 students per High School.
240 Churches in a population of just 55,190
Let the church roll on as they say. For the Bahama Islands, there were no shortages of churches offering religious instruction in 1902.
On average there were 230 parishioners, singing the Lord’s praises on Sundays, per each of the 240 registered churches.
Bahamas Blue Book 1902
