Collection Details:

Collection Name and Number: Claiborne County Tenant Purchase Program Collection (Z/2401).
Creator/Collector: David L. and Patty Crosby; and others.
Date(s): 1979-1982; 1984-1986; 1998-1999; n.d.
Size: 2.00 cubic feet.
Language(s): English.
Processed by: MDAH staff, Laura Heller, 2023.
Provenance: Gift of David L. and Patty Crosby of Jackson, MS, on November 3, 2020; Z/U/2020.050.
Repository: Archives & Records Services Division, Mississippi Department of Archives & History.

 

Rights and Access:

Access restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Publication rights: Copyright assigned to the MDAH. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to Reference Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the MDAH as the owner of the physical items and as the owner of the copyright in items created by the donor. Although the copyright was transferred by the donor, the respective creator may still hold copyright in some items in the collection. For further information, contact Reference Services.

Copyright notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Preferred citation: Claiborne County Tenant Purchase Program Collection (Z/2401), Mississippi Department of Archives & History.

 

Biography:

Claiborne County Tenant Purchase Program

"The Tenant Purchase program of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) operated in Claiborne County, Mississippi, from 1939 to 1942.  Selected tenant families were given the opportunity to purchase small family farms on forty-year mortgages at a low-interest rate with farm and home supervision by the FSA. A total of twenty-four families acquired farms through the program."

"In an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, David Crosby researched land records to follow the trail of ownership and interviewed all original participants who could be located. Interviews have also been conducted with officials who were connected with the local administration of the program.  Result indicate that a high percentage of the land is still in the hands of the original purchasers or their heirs, and that this opportunity to acquire land equity was a pivotal success factor in the lives of the participants."

 The above is quoted from an abstract by David L. Crosby.

Scope and Content Note:

 This collection primarily consists of interview transcripts, both original, draft, and copy, of interviews conducted by David L. Crosby with many of the original tenant families who participated in the Tenant Purchase program of the Farm Security Administration in Claiborne County, Mississippi, from 1939 to 1942.  Additionally, there is correspondence about the oral history project and publication of Crosby's essay compiling the results of the interviews.  There are financial records and reports for the oral history project (labeled as Resettlement Project), as well as administrative materials for the project.  There are manuscript drafts and publications of essays by David L. Crosby about the Tenant Purchase program and the oral history project.  Lastly, there are photocopies of photographs by Roland Freeman, one contact sheet, and four 8x10 black-and-white prints.

 

Series Identification:

Series Identification descriptions to be completed at a later date.

Series 1: Interview transcripts.
Box 1
Box 2, folders 1-22

Series 2: Correspondence.
Box 2, folders 23-31

Series 3: Financials and Reports.
Box 2, folders 32-46

Series 4: Photographs.
Box 2, folder 47

Series 5: Essays.
Box 2, folders 48-59

Series 6: Interviews Administration.
Box 2, folders 60-64

Series 7: Published Materials.
Box 2, folders 65-71

 

Box List:

Box 1
Folder 1. “Summary Paper” [The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County, Mississippi, 1939-1980 by David L. Crosby].
Folder 2. “Topic Index.”
Folder 3. “Topic Index.”
Folder 4. Abraham, Mildred Michaels (F-1979-3), May 28, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 5. Abraham, Mildred Michaels (F-1979-3), May 28, 1979, Original.
Folder 6. Abraham, Mildred Michaels (F-1979-3), May 28, 1979, Copy.
Folder 7. Aikerson, George (F-1979-2), March 22, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 8. Aikerson, George (F-1979-2), March 22, 1979, Original.
Folder 9. Aikerson, George (F-1979-2), March 22, 1979, Copy.
Folder 10. Aikerson, Mrs. (F-1979-9), June 26, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 11. Aikerson, Mrs. (F-1979-9), June 26, 1979, Original.
Folder 12. Aikerson, Mrs. (F-1979-9), June 26, 1979, Copy.
Folder 13. Brinner, Alfred (F-1979-12), February 12, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 14. Brinner, Alfred (F-1979-12), February 12, 1979, Original.
Folder 15. Brinner, Alfred (F-1979-12), February 12, 1979, Copy.
Folder 16. Burks, Clara (Mrs. Osborne) (F-1976-6 / F-1979-6), June 21, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 17. Burks, Clara (Mrs. Osborne) (F-1976-6 / F-1979-6), June 21, 1979, Original.
Folder 18. Burks, Clara (Mrs. Osborne) (F-1976-6 / F-1979-6), June 21, 1979, Copy.
Folder 19. Dorsey, Reverend James (F-1980-2), July 14, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 20. Dorsey, Reverend James (F-1980-2), July 14, 1980, Original.
Folder 21. Dorsey, Reverend James (F-1980-2), July 14, 1980, Copy.
Folder 22. Durham, Emma (F-1979-16), July 20-23, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 23. Durham, Emma (F-1979-16), July 20-23, 1979, Original.
Folder 24. Durham, Emma (F-1979-16), July 20-23, 1979, Copy.
Folder 25. Ellis, Katie (F-1979-14), July 18, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 26. Ellis, Katie (F-1979-14), July 18, 1979, Original.
Folder 27. Ellis, Katie (F-1979-14), July 18, 1979, Copy.
Folder 28. Galloway, Henry (F-1980-3), July 14, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 29. Galloway, Henry (F-1980-3), July 14, 1980, Original.
Folder 30. Galloway, Henry (F-1980-3), July 14, 1980, Copy.
Folder 31. Jeffries, Richard (F-1979-19), August 13, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 32. Jeffries, Richard (F-1979-19), August 13, 1979, Original.
Folder 33. Jeffries, Richard (F-1979-19), August 13, 1979, Copy.
Folder 34. Jeffries, Ruby (F-1979-11), June 28, 1979, Transcription draft 1.
Folder 35. Jeffries, Ruby (F-1979-11), June 28, 1979, Transcription draft 2.
Folder 36. Jeffries, Ruby (F-1979-11), June 28, 1979, Original.
Folder 37. Jeffries, Ruby (F-1979-11), June 28, 1979, Copy.
Folder 38. Jenkins, Ruby (F-1980-1), July 11, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 39. Jenkins, Ruby (F-1980-1), July 11, 1980, Original (Tape 1; Tape 2 is missing).
Folder 40. Jenkins, Ruby (F-1980-1), July 11, 1980, Copy.
Folder 41. Johnson, Annie Holloway (F-1979-5), June 13, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 42. Johnson, Annie Holloway (F-1979-5), June 13, 1979, Original.
Folder 43. Johnson, Annie Holloway (F-1979-5), June 13, 1979, Copy (2).
Folder 44. Johnson, Jesse (F-1980-4), July 16, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 45. Johnson, Jesse (F-1980-4), July 16, 1980, Original.
Folder 46. Johnson, Jesse (F-1980-4), July 16, 1980, Copy.
Folder 47. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1979-15), July 18, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 48. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1979-15), July 18, 1979, Original.
Folder 49. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1979-15), July 18, 1979, Copy.
Folder 50. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1980-5), July 28, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 51. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1980-5), July 28, 1980, Original.
Folder 52. McGriggs, Reverend Sampson (F-1980-5), July 28, 1980, Copy.
Folder 53. Middleton, Emily (F-1979-17), July 26, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 54. Middleton, Emily (F-1979-17), July 26, 1979, Original.
Folder 55. Middleton, Emily (F-1979-17), July 26, 1979, Copy.
Folder 56. Moore, David (F-1979-13), July 17, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 57. Moore, David (F-1979-13), July 17, 1979, Original.
Folder 58. Moore, David (F-1979-13), July 17, 1979, Copy.
Folder 59. Newman, Joe (F-1980-7), August 11, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 60. Newman, Joe (F-1980-7), August 11, 1980, Original.
Folder 61. Newman, Joe (F-1980-7), August 11, 1980, Copy.

 

Box 2
Folder 1. Newsome, Reverend Milligan (F-1974-4), May 30, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 2. Newsome, Reverend Milligan (F-1974-4), May 30, 1979, Original.
Folder 3. Newsome, Reverend Milligan (F-1974-4), May 30, 1979, Copy.
Folder 4. Parker, Love (F-1980-6), August 5, 1980, Transcription draft.
Folder 5. Parker, Love (F-1980-6), August 5, 1980, Original.
Folder 6. Parker, Love (F-1980-6), August 5, 1980, Original (pages missing).
Folder 7. Parker, Love (F-1980-6), August 5, 1980, Copy.
Folder 8. Spencer, Eugene (F-1979-7), June 21, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 9. Spencer, Eugene (F-1979-7), June 21, 1979, Original.
Folder 10. Spencer, Eugene (F-1979-7), June 21, 1979, Copy.
Folder 11. Spencer, Pauline (Mrs. Eugene) (F-1979-8), June 21, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 12. Spencer, Pauline (Mrs. Eugene) (F-1979-8), June 21, 1979, Original.
Folder 13. Spencer, Pauline (Mrs. Eugene) (F-1979-8), June 21, 1979, Copy.
Folder 14. Waites, Moses (F-1979-10), June 27, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 15. Waites, Moses (F-1979-10), June 27, 1979, Original.
Folder 16. Waites, Moses (F-1979-10), June 27, 1979, Copy.
Folder 17. Washington, Ginless (F-1979-18), July 26, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 18. Washington, Ginless (F-1979-18), July 26, 1979, Original.
Folder 19. Washington, Ginless (F-1979-18), July 26, 1979, Copy.
Folder 20. West, Edward (F-1979-1), March 21, 1979, Transcription draft.
Folder 21. West, Edward (F-1979-1), March 21, 1979, Original.
Folder 22. West, Edward (F-1979-1), March 21, 1979, Copy.
Folder 23. Correspondence with Research Director, Resettlement Project, Johnnie B. Collins, 1979; 1982; 1986.
Folder 24. Correspondence, Lester M. Salamon to David L. Crosby, 1979.
Folder 25. Correspondence, Roland Freeman and David L. Crosby, 1979-1982.
Folder 26. Correspondence, David L. Crosby and Alcorn State University, 1979-1982.
Folder 27. Correspondence, Olaf F. Larson to David L. Crosby, February 19, 1981.
Folder 28. Correspondence, Roland Freeman to Dr. David L. Crosby, 1981-1982.
Folder 29. Correspondence, Olaf F. Larson to David L. Crosby, August 4, 1986.
Folder 30. Correspondence, Southern Cultures and David L. Crosby and Roland Freeman, 1998-1999.
Folder 31. Correspondence, JoAnne Prichard to David L. Crosby and Roland Freeman, May 10, 1999.
Folder 32. “Resettlement Project Proposal.”
Folder 33. “Resettlement Project Proposal – Reading Problems”, by David L. Crosby, n.d.
Folder 34. “Resettlement Project Progress Report”, May 31, 1982.
Folder 35. “Resettlement Project Requisitions and Purchase Orders.”
Folder 36. “Resettlement Project Purchase Orders of Student Work.”
Folder 37. “Resettlement Project Certification sheets.”
Folder 38. “Resettlement Project Travel Requests”, 1979-1982.
Folder 39. “Resettlement Program Budget Printout”, 1979-1981.
Folder 40. “Resettlement Project Budget 1979-1980.”
Folder 41. “Resettlement Project Budget 1980-1981.”
Folder 42. “Resettlement Project Budget 1981-1982.”
Folder 43. “Resettlement Project Tests.”
Folder 44. Research, Land Title Records, n.d.
Folder 45. Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture, forms.
Folder 46. “USDA Resettlement Project (Atlanta Speech),” 1980-1981.
Folder 47. Roland Freeman images (prints, contact sheets, photocopies), n.d.
Folder 48. Essay, “Stories from the Tenant Purchase Program,” Drafts, circa 1984-1985.
Folder 49. Essay, “Stories from the Tenant Purchase Program”, by David L. Crosby, 1985.
Folder 50. Essay, “The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County, Mississippi, 1939-1980 by David L. Crosby,” Draft, 1986.
Folder 51. “Paper presented at Mississippi History Association Meeting,” written by David L. Crosby, n.d.
Folder 52. Writing, Backstory of Tenant Purchase Program Research Project, David L. Crosby, n.d.
Folder 53. Photo Essay, “A Piece of Your Own: The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County,” Draft, n.d.
Folder 54. Photo Essay, “A Piece of Your Own: The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County,” Draft, n.d.
Folder 55. Photo Essay, “A Piece of Your Own: The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County,” Draft, 1982.
Folder 56. Essay, “A Piece of Your Own: The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County” by David L. Crosby, 1982.
Folder 57. Photo Essay, Photos for “A Piece of Your Own” (photocopies), n.d.
Folder 58. Photo Essay, Selection of additional photos for “A Piece of Your Own” (photocopies), n.d.
Folder 59. Photo Essay, “A Piece of Your Own: The Tenant Purchase Program in Claiborne County,” Southern Cultures, Summer 1999 (photocopy).
Folder 60. Interviewees chart of tenant program, n.d.
Folder 61. Miscellaneous notes from tenant program interviews and research, n.d.
Folder 62. “Interview Control Sheets” (blank).
Folder 63. Interview excerpts, “Decision to Purchase Land,” n.d.
Folder 64. Interview excerpts, “Background and Early Life,” n.d.
Folder 65. Book, Abstracts of Papers Presented at the Third Biennial Research Symposium, November 12-15, 1980.
Folder 66. Book, Educational Aspirations and Expectations of Students in Three Mississippi Schools, Research Bulletin No. 23, 1985.
Folder 67. Farm Family Record Book, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1973 (blank).
Folder 68. Book, Research and the Family Farm, a paper prepared for the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy, February 1981.
Folder 69. “Farm Security Administration” [Photocopies of newsclippings, 1939-1940; 1942-1944].
Folder 70. Newsclipping, “Project on history of tenant land purchases completed,” n.d.
Folder 71. Newsclipping, Rosco Johnson obituary, October 9, 1992.