American Historical Ephemera and Photography Online

Manuscript document outlining an arrangement between an agent for M. V. Evans and farmer Archibal Knox whereby Knox would rent a plantation from Evans for the sum of $60 to be paid at the time of harvest, 1 October, or else he would forfeit his crop "consisting of cotton corn peas rice as shall be made during the present year." Williamsburgh County, South Carolina, 1874. 7 7/8 x 12 1/2 in. (creased, some staining, wear to edges/corners). Signed ("his mark") by Archibal Knox and witness H. Solomons.

Partly-printed document being a "Lien on Crop and Bill of Sale &c. Form No. 15" outlining an arrangement between L. E. Parler and a farmer of Dorchester County, SC, Perry Thomas whereby Thomas would receive $45 (in the form of one black ox) and repay the debt by 15 October, or else he would forfeit his farm. Dorchester County, South Carolina, 1 February 1904. 8 1/2 x 14 in. (creased, some bleaching and toning, light wear to edges/corners). Docketed verso. Signed ("his mark") by Perry Thomas and others.

Together, 2 documents.

In the post-Civil War South, the crop lien system allowed farmers to obtain supplies, such as food and seed, on credit from merchants, with the debt to be repaid after the crop was harvested and brought to market. Abuses in the system essentially reduced many tenant farmers to a state of economic slavery, as their debts carried over form year to year. Overcharging the sharecroppers kept them in debts that could never be repaid, and exploited African Americans and poor whites who had no money to purchase land or the supplies needed to farm it.