John E. Hussey

John E. Hussey (died November 22, 1922) was a grocer, boardinghouse owner, and state legislator in North Carolina.[1] He was African-American and represented Craven County in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1885 to 1889.[2]

Life and career

Hussey owned a grocery store and boardinghouse in New Bern, North Carolina. He was elected to the legislature in the 1884 election as a Republican.[3] The election marked the first time in ten years that Craven County had been represented solely by African-American delegates.[1]

His re-election in 1886 attracted controversy, as two competing election certificates were presented on swearing-in day on January 11, 1887. W. B. Lane, a Democrat, was declared the winner of the race by the Craven County canvassers, however, the county sheriff presented a competing certificate declaring Hussey the winner.[4] Lane was named the temporary representative while the House investigated the results.[4] Later that month, the committee on privileges and elections submitted a report declaring that Hussey was entitled to the seat.[5]

Ultimately, two competing reports were presented - the Democrats claimed that voter intimidation had scared many likely voters away from the polls, while the Republicans claimed that there was no violence and that Hussey had been elected unanimously. He was sworn into office and replaced Lane on January 26, 1887.[6]

Hussey was a delegate to the 1896 North Carolina Republican convention.[7] Later in his life, he became an ordained reverend.[8] Hussey died on November 22, 1922 in New Bern.[8]

References
  1. Justesen, Benjamin R. (July 2, 2012). George Henry White: An Even Chance in the Race of Life. LSU Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780807144770 – via Google Books.
  2. Work, Monroe N.; Staples, Thomas S.; Wallace, H.A.; Miller, Kelly; McKinlay, Whitefield; Lacy, Samuel E.; Smith, R.L.; McIlwaine, H.R. (January 1920). "Some Negro Members of Reconstruction Conventions and Legislatures and of Congress". The Journal of Negro History. 5 (1): 77. doi:10.2307/2713503. JSTOR 2713503.
  3. "The North Carolina Legislature - 1885". The Charlotte Democrat. Charlotte, North Carolina. 1884-12-26. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The General Assembly". The Torchlight. Oxford, North Carolina. 1887-01-11. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "House". Statesville Record And Landmark. Statesville, North Carolina. 1887-01-27. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "The Craven County Contest". The Weekly Star. Wilmington, North Carolina. 1887-01-28. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Muttered Curses". The North Carolinian. Raleigh, North Carolina. 1896-05-21. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Well Known Colored Man Died Here Today". The New Bern Sun Journal. New Bern, North Carolina. 1922-11-22. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
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