A. R. Bridgers Explained

Aaron R. Bridgers^[1] was an American teacher, attorney, and state legislator in North Carolina. An African American and Republican, he represented Edgecombe County in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1883.^{[2] [3]}

Bridgers graduated from St. Augustine's College in Raleigh and was a school teacher in Tarboro.^[4]

He was elected in 1882 when, at the age of 28, he was studying law.^[5] He lived in Edgecombe County. He authored a bill to establish two schools, one for white children and another for African Americans. Whites objected that they would pay more in taxes for the two schools and objected to the proposal as unfair.^[6] After serving in the legislature, Bridgers graduated from Howard University's law school in 1886.^{[7] [8]} He was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1887^[9] then moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina.^[10]

Edward Bridgers

Edward Bridgers represented Edgecombe County in 1889.^[11]

See also

• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era

Notes and References

1. News: 1882-09-08 . The Wilson Advance . 3 . 2023-11-30.
2. Book: Turner . Joseph Kelly . History of Edgecombe County, North Carolina . Bridgers . John Luther . 1920 . Edwards & Broughton printing Company . 381 . en.
3. Book: Crow . Jeffrey J. . A History of African Americans in North Carolina . Escott . Paul D. . Hatley . Flora J. . 2002 . N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Office of Archives and History . 978-0-86526-301-7 . 233 . en.
4. Justesen . Benjamin R. . 2009 . "The Class of '83": Black Watershed in the North Carolina General Assembly . The North Carolina Historical Review . 86 . 3 . 296 . 23523861 . 0029-2494.
5. "The Class of '83": Black Watershed in the North Carolina General Assembly. Justesen, Benjamin R.. 2009. The North Carolina Historical Review. 86. 3. 282–308. 23523861 . JSTOR.
6. Web site: History of Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Joseph Kelly. Turner. John Luther. Bridgers. October 5, 1920. Edwards & Broughton printing Company. Google Books.
7. News: 1884-05-31 . General Intelligence . 2 . The Banner-Enterprise . 2023-11-30.
8. Book: Alumni catalogue of Howard university, with list of incorporators, trustees, and other employees, 1867-1896 . Howard University . 1896 . 29.
9. News: 1887-02-09 . Supreme Court . 4 . The News and Observer . 2023-11-30.
10. News: 1897-02-06 . Eastern Snap Shots . 3 . The Gazette . 2023-11-30.
11. Book: A History of African Americans in North Carolina. Jeffrey J.. Crow. Paul D.. Escott. Flora J.. Hatley. October 5, 2002. N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Office of Archives and History. 9780865263017 . Google Books.