On 17 January 1903, Howard, Graves & Company agreed to advance Bush Dew up to one hundred thirty dollars in supplies to enable Dew to cultivate the land in Wilson township Dew rented from S.H. Morris. In return, Dew gave Howard, Graves a lien on his crop as well as a eleven year-old black mare mule, an iron axle cart, an open buggy and harness, and all his farming implements.
Deed book 66, page 233, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.
One would think that , under the law, the lien could not exceed the loan!!! My heavens! Legalized robbery?
If definitely gives you insight into how so many fell into such devastating debt.