Amanuensis Monday~1876, Crop and Chattel Mortgage

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
Today’s posting is a Crop and Chattel Mortgage between  my 2nd Great Grandfather, William A. Purvis and J. C. Marshall of Land in Anson County, North Carolina. The mortgage is dated 30 June 1876.

In the mortgage, William A. Purvis is borrowing $100 dollar with a limit of $175.00 to buy supplies for crop production in 1876.

In addition to repaying the borrowed money, William A. Purvis has use the following items as collateral for the loan: 
the following articles of personal property to wit: one one horse wagon, new; one sorrel mare about 12 years old with the understanding that if the said W. A. Purvis shall will and truly pay the said J.C. Marshall & Co. for the advances…

W. A. Purvis to J. C. Marshall & Co.                      30 June 1876

State of North Carolina}
County of Anson } Whereas J. C. Marshall & Co. of Anson County in the state of North Carolina have agreed to make advances to W. A. Purvis of the County of Anson & state aforesaid for purpose of agriculture during the year A.D. 1876 to the value of one hundred dollars and such further sums as the said J. C. Marshall & Co. may deem necessary to be made not to exceed in all the sum of one hundred and seventy five dollars and whereas the said W. A. Purvis desires to secure to the said J. C. Marshall & Co. prompt payment for the advances made in accordance with the provisions of the Acts of the General Assembly in such cases made and provided ratified on the 17 day of March 1867 and the Act to re-enact and amend the same ratified March 17, 1873 doth by these presents sell, transfer and agree to deliver to the said J. C. Marshall & Co. on the 15th day of October next so much cotton corn and other products raised by him during the present year as shall be sufficient to pay for the supplies to be furnished as aforesaid which conveyance and transfer shall create a lien in favor of the said J.C. Marshall to the extent of the advances made or to be made upon all the crop the said W. A. Purvis may raise during the present year and for further security the said W. A. Purvis bargains and sells to the said J. C. Marshall & Co. the following articles of personal property to wit: one one horse wagon, new; one sorrel mare about 12 years old with the understanding that if the said W. A. Purvis shall will and truly pay the said J.C. Marshall & Co. for the advances as aforesaid on or before the 25th day of October the said lien shall be discharged and the said property shall revert to the said W. A. Purvis otherwise the said J. C. Marshall & Co. shall have power to take unto their possession all of said property and crop on the farm or elsewhere if removed and sell the same or so much thereof for cash as may be necessary to pay for the advances aforesaid, attorney's fees, registration and any other expenses incurred in executing this provision first advertising said sale for ten days at three public places in the county. I the said W.A. Purvis do certify that no other lien or mortgage has been given upon said crop or property if this claim is not paid at maturity to bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent per annum from date hereof to the payment. In witnesseth thereof the said W. A. Purvis has hereunto set his hand and seal this 30th day of June 1876.
In presence of
A. C. Benton                                                      W. A. Purvis seal

State of North Carolina}
Anson County} In the Probate Court June 30th 1876. The due execution of the foregoing crop and chattel mortgage is this day proven before me by the oath and examination of A.C. Benton the subscribing witness. Let it with this certificate be registered.
                                                                         John C. McLanchlin
                                                                         Judge of Probate

Anson County June 30th, 1876
This day the foregoing crop and chattel mortgage was duly presented to me for registration and was registered on the 5th in Book 7 page 462 & 463.
                                                                         John Stacey
                                                                         Register of Deeds


This is still consider part of the “Reconstruction Era” in the South. If you are not familiar with the Reconstruction Era you might want to read this article: Reconstruction Era. These were hard times in the South.




_______________________
[1] Anson County, North Carolina, Trust Deed Book 7: Pages 462-464., W. A. Purvis to J. C. Marshall & Co.; 30 June 1876, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina. Also found on LDS FHL Film #1689075.