John Bush "J.B." Leigh, an attorney, served on the East Carolina board of trustees from 1907 until 1925, matching in terms of long service the tenures of James Yadkin Joyner (1862-1954) and John Robert Bannerman (1854-1935).
A prominent Democrat and chair of the Executive Committee of the Pasquotank County Democratic Party, Leigh was a supporter of state-wide educational progress within the bounds of the emerging Jim Crow system of racial segregation. He spoke, during the 1900 campaign, in favor of the Democratic platform criticizing “the fellows who cry out for white supremacy and yet vote for negro candidates.”
Leigh served Elizabeth City as its mayor and his county, Pasquotank, as a representative in the state legislature. He also served Pasquotank County as a trial justice from 1907 to 1912. He was active in the Methodist Church and a strong supporter of the temperance movement. An admirer of then Gov. Charles B. Aycock, Leigh was among the local dignitaries seated on the rostrum when Aycock visited Elizabeth City in 1901 and delivered an address on education, reiterating his vision of universal education within the parameters of the emerging Jim Crow system of racial segregation.
Sources:
- “Democratic Convention.” Tar Heel (Elizabeth City). June 20, 1902. P. 6.
- “Elizabeth City.” Morning Post (Raleigh). July 29, 1900. P. 3.
- “J. B. Leigh Dies in Elizabeth City: Former State Legislator, Mr. Leigh Had Been Trial Justice for County.” News and Observer. July 25, 1943. P. 14.
- “The Governor and His Recent Trip … He Found The East Deeply Enthused.” News and Observer. December 1, 1901. P. 10.
Related Materials
John Bush "J.B." Leigh. Image Source: The Independent (Elizabeth City), June 15, 1934, p. 7.
?Citation Information
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 9/14/2022