On 8 January 1903, Howard, Graves & Company agreed to advance Richard Artis up to one hundred dollars in supplies to enable Artis to cultivate the land in Stantonsburg township Artis rented from Penelope Tynes. In return, Artis gave Howard, Graves a lien on his crop as well as a twelve year-old mouse-colored mare mule, an iron axle cart wheel, and all his farming implements.

Deed book 66, page 232, Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.