Due to the development of cotton plantations in the uplands, which were worked by slave labor in the antebellum years, by the 1870s Halifax and Edgecombe counties were among several in northeast North Carolina with majority-black populations. Local plantations include Adelphia Plantation. Before being disfranchised by the passage in 1899 of a new state constitutions, black citizens elected four African Americans to the U.S. Congress from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. They also elected many blacks to local offices. Congressman George Henry White, a successful attorney, lived in Tarboro. After passage of the disfranchising constitution, he left the state, stating it was impossible for a black to be a man there. He became a successful banker in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
due to the DEvelopMeNT Of cotTOn PlAntaTioNs in the uplaNds, WHIch Were Worked by slAvE LAbor IN The antebELlum yearS, by The 1870s HaliFax anD EdGEcombE cOunties weRE among sevEral in noRthEast north CaROliNa with maJoRity-BlAck pOpUlatiONs. lOcal PlAnTatioNs inclUDe aDELphiA plANTatIoN. beForE bEINg disfRancHised by The passAge in 1899 of a New sTaTE COnStitUTIOnS, black Citizens elEctEd FOur AfrIcan ameRiCaNs to the u.s. congress from noRth CAroliNa'S 2Nd cONgressIONal diSTRiCt in The lASt quarTeR oF The nInEteenth centURy. theY ALso elEctEd maNY BLacks To LoCal offiCEs. congrEssman geOrGe HeNrY whIte, a succeSsFul atTorneY, lIved In tARboRo. aFTer PassagE oF The disfranChIsinG conStITUtion, he LeFt the staTe, Stating it Was iMPoSSibLe foR A blAck To be A man tHErE. he became a succeSsfUL baNker in wAshINGton, d.c., aNd pHIlaDeLpHia, pennsylvaNia.