Mary A. Purvis was the daughter of John Purvis and Sarah McMillian. John Purvis was a large land owner in Chesterfield County.
About 1836, Mary A. Purvis married William B. Dickson. Almost immediately after marriage, they moved to Hinds County, Mississippi. Their first child was born in 1837 and the 1850 Census states that she was born in Mississippi. By 1850, Mary with 5 children is back living with her parents in Chesterfield and she is listed as a widow.
In Mar 1854, her Father, John Purvis passed away.
[#108] Craig, J.C. + wife vs. Charles G. Pervis + others - Bill for injunction + general relief 1866
John Purvis died intestate in March 1854, leaving his widow, Sarah Purvis and children: Mary A., widow of William B. Dickson; Charles G. Purvis; John C. Purvis; and Laura S. intermarried with James C. Craig. Additional information: The children of James C. and Laura Purvis Craig: Sallie P. Craig; John J. Craig; Alexander W. Craig; Laura E. Craig; Mollie A. Craig; Edgar Craig; Irene Craig; Leola Craig and James Craig who died at age 11. Alexander J. Purvis died 3 July 1860, leaving as his heir his mother and brothers + sisters; Sarah Purvis died intestate in April 1863; John C. Purvis died intestate 13 October 1864, leaving as his heirs Laura S. Craig, Mary A. Dickson, and Charles G. Purvis.
When the estate was settled about 1866, Sarah and two more of her children had passed away and only 3 siblings remained - Laura S. Craig, Mary A. Dickson, and Charles G. Purvis.
On 20 March 1869, Mary A (Purvis) Dickson executed a lien on her property for $150.00 in order to obtain supplies to be used and expended on the planting of said plantation and cultivation of the Soil.
She agreed to pay 12% interest per annum
She agreed that all crops would be sent to the lender (George W. William and Co.) so that he could sell them at a commission.
She agreed to pay the loan/lien off by 15 November 1869.
Transcription:
Mrs. Mary A. Dickson to George W. Williams + Co. Lien
The State of South Carolina
Memorandum of agreement made and entered into this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty nine between George W. Williams, Edward C. Williams, James M. Taylor, William Birarie, Edward Platt, Joseph R. Robertson and James Bridge Jr doing business and trading under the name and style of George W. William + Co. of the State aforesaid of the first part and Mrs. Mary A. Dickson resident of the County of Chesterfield State of aforesaid of the second part.
First, The parties of the first part agrees with the party of the second part who is engaged in the cultivation of the soil upon a plantation in same County and State 4 miles west of Cheraw to make advances to him during the current year in money or supplies to be used and expended on the planting of said plantation and cultivation of the Soil the said advances not to exceeds in all the sum of One hundred and fifty Dollars the said party of the second part first giving to the party of the first part a lien on the Crops which may be made during this year upon the lands in the cultivation of which the advances so made shall have been expended in preference a full liens existing or otherwise to the extent of such advances with interest thereon at the rate of Twelve (12) per cent per annum in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Assembly of the said state in such case made and provided.
Second, the party of the Second part covenants and agrees with the parties of the first part in consideration of the advances so made and to be made by them to him that he will expended and apply the whole of said advances in and upon the planting and cultivation of his plantation in in <sic> which he is now engaged and for and in consideration of the premises the said party of the second part hath given and granted and by these presents doth give and grant to the said parties of the first part and to the Survivor or Survivors of them and the Executors and administrators or assigns of such Survivor a lien on the entire crop which shall or may be made during the current year upon the land in the cultivation of which the advances so made by the party of the first part shall be expended, in preference to all others liens existing or otherwise to the extent and amount of such advances together with interest thereon at the rate of twelve (12) per cent per annum in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Assembly of the said State entitled "An Act to secure advances for agricultural purposes" ratified on the twenty-fifth day of September eighteen hundred and Sixty-Six and subject to all the powers, conditions and provisions therein contained.
Third The party of the second part covenants and agrees with the parties of the first part on consideration of the advances so made and to be made by them to him that he will send to them for sale on commission the entire crop of cotton made on said plantation and in default thereof that he will pay to them a commission of two and one half percent on the estimated value of every bale of cotton not sent to them for Sale And further the party of the second part gives the party of the first part a lien on the entire crop for said commission in the same manner as far advances previously named.
Fourth The party of the Second part obligates to send to the partied of the first part sufficient Cotton to pay all advances prior to 15th November next In testimony whereof the parties hereto have hereunder set their hands the day and years first above written.
Signed and delivered
In the presence of
W. R. Morris Geo. W. William + Co.
J. M. Sell
J. C. Craig M. A. Dickson
C. W. Craig
The State of South Carolina}
Charleston County}
Personally appeared before me W. R. Morris and made oath that he saw the within named James M. Taylor of the firm of Geo. W. Williams + Co., sign and as their act and deed deliver the within written agreement and that he with J. M. Lee witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn to before me this 9th} W. R. Morris
Day of March 1869}
J. Murray {LS}}
Notary Public}
The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Personally appeared before me one C. W. Craig and made oath that he saw the within named Mrs. M. Dickson sign and as her act and deed deliver the within written agreement and that he with J. C. Craig witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn to before me this 23rd} C. W. Craig
Day of March 1869}
Henry D. Malloy}
Notary Public}
Recorded 5th April 1869
Origl Dlv to D. Malloy
Was this lien redeemed? It's unclear whether it was redeemed. A common practice during this time was to annotate along the edges of the document whether the lien was redeemed or in default. There is no annotation on this lien.
Tomorrow we will look at another land deed and speculate on the impact of this Lien on the circumstance documented within the forthcoming land deed.
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[1] Land Deed - Mrs. Mary A. Dickson to George W. Williams + Co. Lien; 20 March 1869; Deed Book #1; Page(s) pages 407 & 408; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 22 November 2018.
This is an interesting chain of events. It all turned when William Dickson died, effecting the whole family. I hope Mary was able to pay off the debt. It is unfortunate that there were no annotations. Thanks for sharing this tale.
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