Program

Hometown Heritage®

Subject

People

Location

417 Adams St, Plymouth, NC 27962, USA

Lat/Long

35.863821698425, -76.7471105006

Grant Recipient

Town of Plymouth

Born circa 1877, Peter H. Bell, Sr. was a native of Plymouth, North Carolina. He received his early education at the Plymouth State Normal School before enrolling in the law program at Shaw University. In 1901, Bell was recorded as a member of Shaw University’s senior law class and graduated that same year.

Bell’s entry into the legal profession occurred during a period of significant scarcity for Black legal professionals in the South. He was first listed as a licensed attorney for Washington County in the North Carolina state report in 1901. At the time of his licensure, records indicate there were approximately 25 Black lawyers practicing across the state of North Carolina.

Following his graduation, Bell returned to his hometown of Plymouth to establish his practice. He served the community as an attorney in Washington County for over 50 years. He represented the African American community members and helped pave the way for others to enter the legal profession.

Peter H. Bell Sr. passed away on December 4, 1967. His professional influence extended to the next generation; two of his children became attorneys who represented Black clients in civil rights litigation throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including Supreme Court cases.

In 1987, the town of Plymouth formally recognized his contributions to the community and the legal field by dedicating a local park in his honor.