James Ward Porter Explained

Office:	Georgia Assembly
Term Start:	1868
Term End:	?
Party:	Republican Party

James Ward Porter was elected a state representative in Georgia during the Reconstruction era, representing Chatham County. Before becoming a representative he was the owner of a tailor's shop in Savannah. This was unusual, as the laws in Georgia at the time largely prohibited Black people from owning property.^[1] He and other African Americans were expelled from the legislature.^{[2] [3]}

See also

• Original 33
• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era

Notes and References

1. Book: Edmund L. Drago. Black Politicians and Reconstruction in Georgia: A Splendid Failure. 1982. University of Georgia Press. 978-0-8203-1438-9. 38–.
2. Web site: United States Congressional serial set. December 16, 1869. U.S. Government Printing Office. Google Books.
3. Web site: Senate Documents. United States. Senate. December 16, 1871. U.S. Government Printing Office. Google Books.