What's Happening?
In January 1915, Della Crummedy signed a mortgage deed to secure a $25 debt owed to C.H. Darden & Son, likely for undertaking services. The collateral for this debt was a one-quarter acre lot located on the eastern side of Stantonsburg Street, near the Colored
Graded School, and adjacent to properties owned by S.H. Vick and James Simms. The mortgage was recorded in Deed Book 97, page 70, at the Wilson County Register of Deeds Office. A note on the document indicates that Crummedy successfully paid off the loan by May 11, 1915, leading to the cancellation of the mortgage.
Why It's Important?
This historical transaction provides insight into the economic practices and community dynamics of early 20th-century America, particularly in the context of African American land ownership and financial dealings. The ability of Della Crummedy to secure and repay a loan reflects the economic agency and resilience of African Americans during a period marked by significant racial and economic challenges. Understanding such historical transactions can shed light on the broader socio-economic conditions of the time and the role of African American women in property ownership and financial management.
