John E. Proctor Explained

John Elijah Proctor^[1] (January 14, 1844 – December 14, 1944) was an American politician in the state of Florida. A former slave, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1873 to 1875, and 1879 to 1881, and in the Florida Senate from 1883 to 1885.^[2] Though he was born free, he was sold as a slave at a young age to family friends to pay off debts that his father had incurred purchasing an enslaved woman who became his wife.^{[3] [4]}

See also

• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era

Notes and References

1. News: 1940-02-12 . Florida's Only Former Negro Senator, John Elijah Proctor, Aged 96, Of Tallahassee, Has Keen . 1 . Tallahassee Democrat . 2023-11-24.
2. Web site: Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County, 1845-2012 . Ward, Robert L. / Florida House of Representatives . 2011 . December 11, 2011.
3. News: John Proctor, Slave Who Became Legislator, Dies Here at 100. December 17, 1944. 22. Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee, Florida. February 1, 2019.
4. Web site: Tallahassee Hidden History dedicates marker, hosts exhibit at Garden Club . 2023-11-22 . Tallahassee Democrat . en-US.