Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. Papers, 1888-1980 (bulk 1971-1980), PC.5099

Abstract

Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. (1913-1981) was a United States Navy pilot and local historian interested in the history of steamboats in eastern North Carolina. The Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. Papers, 1888-1980 (bulk 1971-1980), consists of materials relating to Bridgers' book project, Steamboats on the Tar. The collection contains drafts of Bridgers' book and research materials on North Carolina steamboats gathered by Bridgers throughout the 1970s as he was writing.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. Papers
Call Number: PC.5099
Creator: Bridgers, Henry C. (Henry Clark), Jr., 1913-1981
Date: 1888-1980 (bulk 1971-1980) 1971-1980
Extent: 3.300 cubic feet, 7 Box
Language: English
Repository: Outer Banks History Center

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], PC.5099, Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr. Papers, 1888-1980 (bulk 1971-1980), consists of materials relating to Bridgers' book project, Steamboats on the Tar. The collection contains drafts of Bridgers' book and research materials on North Carolina steamboats gathered by Bridgers throughout the 1970s as he was writing. Manuscript drafts include Bridgers' handwritten original draft as well as full typewritten drafts, an index, and a selection of footnotes. Research files primarily consist of materials photocopied by Bridgers from libraries and repositories throughout the state of North Carolina, as well as correspondence, notes, and a very small number of original documents, primarily related to Bridgers' own family.

Arrangement Note

This collection is arranged into two series: Manuscript Drafts and Research Files. Folders are arranged alphabetically within each series.

Biographical Note

Henry Clark Bridgers, Jr., (1913-1981) was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1935 and then entered the United States Navy, graduating from flight training school in 1936 as an aviator. He joined Patrol Squadron 7 in San Diego, California, and in 1939 became an instrument training instructor at Pensacola, Florida. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific as operations officer of Fleet Air Wing One, receiving the Legion of Merit award for combat operations in the Solomon Islands. In 1945, he commanded Fighter Squadron 42 and Carrier Air Group 42 aboard the USS Sicily. After training at the General Line School and the Naval War College, Bridgers became navigator of the USS Midway in 1952. He achieved the rank of captain in 1963 and took command of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range. Bridgers suffered a heart attack in 1965 that forced his retirement from the Navy. Returning to his native Edgecombe County, he became a well-known local historian who wrote about railroads, banking, and steamboats in eastern North Carolina. At the time of his death in 1981, Bridgers had spent years researching and writing a manuscript entitled Steamboats on The Tar. Bridgers' research and drafts were passed to researchers David Stick in 1981 and Lindley Butler in 2000 in an attempt to finish the book. In 2013, Bridgers' typescripts for Steamboats on the Tar were compiled and published by Ronald Kemp.

Contents of the Collection

1. Manuscript Drafts, 1978-1979

Draft with Comments by Marie D. Moore [2 folders], 1978-1979

Box 1

Handwritten Manuscript [2 folders], circa 1978

Box 1

Index, circa 1978

Box 1

Typewritten Draft [2 folders], circa 1978

Box 1

Footnotes: Original, circa 1978

Box 1

Footnotes: Edited, circa 1978

Box 1

2. Research Files, 1888-1980

All Sources vs. Certificates of Enrollment (1828-1946), circa 1970s

Box 2

Articles, 1947-1976

Box 2

Bibliography, circa 1974-1976

Box 2

Certificates of Enrollment Photostats and Research Notes, 1975

Oversize Box 1

Chrono C, 1941-circa 1970s

Box 2

Civil War Boats, circa 1970s

Box 2

Clippings, 1903-1974

Box 2

Clippings from North Carolina Newspapers (1824-1912), circa 1970s

Box 2

Corps of Engineers, 1975

Box 2

Correspondence, 1974-1975

Box 2

Correspondence and Miscellaneous Notes, 1974-1980

Box 3

Executive Documents from the House of Representatives (1862-1865), circa 1970s

Box 3

Extracts from Certificates of Enrollment (1818-1946), circa 1970s

Box 3

Floods, circa 1970s

Box 3

Forms, circa 1970s

Box 3

Grant Data, 1980

Box 3

Index by David Stick, circa 1980

Box 3

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Beaufort, circa 1970s

Box 3

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Camden/Elizabeth City, circa 1970s

Box 3

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Edenton, circa 1970s

Box 3

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: New Bern, circa 1970s

Box 3

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Plymouth, circa 1970s

Box 4

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Washington, circa 1970s

Box 4

Information on Vessels from Enrollment Forms for N.C. Ports: Wilmington, circa 1970s

Box 4

Information on Vessels from N.C. Ports, circa 1970s

Box 4

Maps, circa 1970s

Oversize Box 1

Miscellaneous, 1971-1974

Box 4

Navigation Improvements, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 1, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 2, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 3, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 4, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 5, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 6, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 7, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 8, circa 1970s

Box 4

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 9, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 10, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 11, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 12, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 13, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 14, circa 1970s

Box 5

Notes and Clippings: Chapter 15, circa 1970s

Box 5

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion (1887-1891), circa 1970s

Box 5

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navy in the War of the Rebellion (1899), circa 1970s

Box 5

Oyster War, circa 1970s

Box 5

People, circa 1970s

Box 5

Place Cards - Up River Order, circa 1970s

Box 5

Research Notes, 1974-1975

Box 5

Socio-Eco, circa 1970s

Box 5

Steamboat Record Books [2 folders], circa 1970s

Box 6

Steam Navigation in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina Waters (1949), circa 1970s

Box 6

The Tar River, 1979

Box 6

Tar River Trip, circa 1970s

Box 6

Xerox File, 1974-1975

Box 6

Photographs, Facsimiles, and Ephemera [part 1], 1888-1974

Box Box 7

Photographs, Facsimiles, and Ephemera [part 2], 1888-1974

Box Box 8

Subject Headings

Steamboats--North Carolina

River Steamers--North Carolina

Steam-navigation--North Carolina

Pamlico River (N.C.)

Tar River (Person County-Beaufort County, N.C.)--History--19th century

Tar River (Person County-Beaufort County, N.C.)--History--20th century

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Lindley Butler, March 2003 and March 2018.

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, February 2020.