J. Epps Green Record
Archival ID: omhi-tal-1924-j-epps-green-01
Why This Document Matters
This 1924 ledger for J. Epps Green reflects the complex agricultural economy of Williamsburg County during a time of great transition. In the Jim Crow South, these ledgers served as the definitive record of a family’s work and worth. Beyond the columns of debt and credit, this document tracks the purchase of planting seed, commercial fertilizer (guano), and calcium arsenate—a chemical used specifically in 1924 to fight the boll weevil.
The record also details the household’s “advancements,” such as dry goods, shoes, and basic staples like salt and coffee. For the Green family, this ledger isn’t just a list of expenses; it is a testament to their persistence. By carefully managing their credit for both the tools of the field and the needs of the home, they maintained their status in the Black Mingo community during one of the most challenging decades for Southern farmers.
By 1924, many families were shifting from cotton to tobacco or other crops due to crop pests. Seeing “insecticide” or specialized fertilizers on a ledger helps historians understand how the family adapted their farming techniques to survive.
