Edgar H. Diggs, a long-time barber in Wilson, was born into a family with deep roots in northern Wayne County, N.C., just across the county line from Stantonsburg (in Wilson County). In September 1934, Diggs entered into a ten-year lease with his uncle, Willie Diggs, for the farm Willie Diggs had inherited from his mother Frances Diggs.
Deed book 226, page 297, Wayne County Register of Deeds Office, Goldsboro, N.C.
Under the terms of the lease, Edgar Diggs was permitted to use all the wood he needed to run the farm and to cut as much timber as needed for maintenance of buildings and fences. He was also permitted the sublet the property provided he gave his uncle notice and paid his $100 yearly rent in advance.
E. H Diggs was my grandfather. He eventually moved to Wilson NC and lived with my grandmother Mary Grant Diggs on Vick Street. Curious about this lease and the use of the land? E. H. Diggs’ mother Sula Diggs Artis was also left an land inheritance by her mother Frances, but no indication of the land being passed to E.H Diggs and his sister Olivia Diggs Artis. Thanks for sharing this document!
Edgar Diggs was already living in Wilson when he leased this acreage from Willie Diggs. I, too, wondered about his use of the land, but it was not unheard of for intown families with farmland to rent (or, here, sublet) their land to a tenant farmer.
Also, I just realized that Willie Diggs had already migrated to Virginia when this transaction was made, so was not actively farming the land either.
Have you heard of a Rommie and Bessie Diggs?
Yes. I have two posts about Rommie and Bessie Diggs’ family.