52 Ancestors (2020) – Week 17: Land—Tom & Pansy Johnston Purchase a House in 1949

This is my third year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails Into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

 My grandparents, Tom J. Johnston and Pansy Louise (Lancaster) Johnston, purchased a house in Pleasant Hill, California, in a housing tract called “Gregory Gardens.” I am not sure, but this may have been their first property purchased in California.

307 Nancy Lane, my grandfather & his jeep

A copy of the deed and title insurance papers were stuffed in a 1950’s County Recorder envelope with a 3 cent stamp. The deed was from the Contra Costa County Title Company with filing stamps and original signatures on it. They purchased the house from the Hergan, Inc. as joint tenants and the property was described as:

Lot 22, as designated on the map entitled, “Gregory Gardens, Unit No. 1, Contra Costa County, California,” which map was filed in the office of the Recorder of the County of Contra Costa, State of California, on June 21, 1949 in Volume 37 of Maps, at page 46.

The deed was witnessed and signed on 14 December 1949.[1]

From the Title Company, it appears that the property was purchased for $7800. Liens and encumbrances attached to the property were taxes levied by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, a utility right-of-way reserved by Hergan, Inc, Restrictions continuing until January 1, 1973 by declaration of Hergan Inc, a pipeline right of way to Coast Counties Gas and Electric Co, Deed of Trust made by Tom J Johnston and Pansy L Johnston to Bank of America National Trust and Savings (promissory note of $7100), and a Deed of Trust to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association (promissory note of $700).[2]

Included in the policy was a map of the area showing the streets and lots, along with easements.

Inside the deed was another set of papers titled Declaration of Restrictions, which were made by the Hergan Inc, dated 27 June 1949 and recorded 14 July 1949. These were thirteen rules that residents of the area had to abide by, such as no building structures were allowed on the lot except the single-family dwelling which could not exceed two stories. Other restrictions included no noxious or offensive trade or activity or kennels; no trailer, tent, shack could be erected and used as temporary residence; no tight fences, though other fences could be no taller than 4 feet and none built in the front yard; no breeding of animals or fowl; never occupied used or resided by any person not of white or caucasian race except in the capacity as a servant or domestic employed.[3] That last rule would not be allowed today, thank goodness.

The copy of the Deed of Trust was not among the papers, however I got a copy from the County Recorder’s office. At the time of their purchase, they were living in Walnut Creek, in a rural area, as their address was Route 1, Box 49. They signed the deed of trust in front of a notary. Tom signed the document twice, as Tom J. Johnston and as Tom Johnston, Jr. His wife, Pansy L. Johnston, also signed the documents.[4]

Another document found was a receipt from Phil Heraty, a builder and Realtor. This receipt was written 22 September 1949 and they paid him $25. They were to get an FHA and GI loan. The balance of $225 was to be paid in ten days. A note initialed by TG that it was paid on 26 September.[5] However, it doesn’t appear that they got either type of loan.

On 24 November 1971, a full conveyance was filed and both Deed of Trusts were fully paid off.[6] Tom would die eighteen months later on 11 July 1973.[7] That was probably a blessing to my grandmother to know her house was fully paid off.

During the time they lived in the house, Tom did some remodeling. He was a carpenter and converted their garage into a family room, a larger kitchen, a walk-in pantry, and an enclosed back porch. Early in time, their front porch was covered in ivy. Their front yard had a large sycamore tree that grandchildren loved to climb and a magnolia tree with beautiful blooms. He also made furniture and their house was full of his pieces from coffee tables to lamps to a portable bar set-up.

 

My grandparents in the backyard of their new house

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[1] Grant Deed, Contra Costa County, California, Hergan, Inc. to Tom J. Johnston & Pansy L. Johnston, 1949, no. 48488, v. 1483, p. 371; original copy in Johnston Family Papers, privately held by Lisa S. Gorrell, [address for private use], Martinez, California.

[2] Policy of Title Insurance, Contra Costa County Title Company, Martinez, California, no. 106855, to insure Tom J. Johnston and Pansy L. Johnston, original copy in Johnston Family Papers.

[3] Declaration of Restrictions, Hergan, Inc., Photostat, Johnston Family Papers.

[4] Deed of Trust, Tom J Johnston and Pansy L Johnston to Corporation of America, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, Contra Costa County, California, Recorders Office, Book 1483, p 372-75.

[5] Receipt, dated 22 September 1949, from Phil Heraty, a builder and Realtor, Johnston Family Papers.

[6] Full Conveyance, no. 101220, Contra Costa County, California, filed 26 Nov 1971, Bk 6528, p. 381. Also ibid, no. 101221, Bk 6528, p. 382. Both were filed at the request of Tom J. Johnston. Originals in Johnston Family Papers.

[7] State of California, Department of Health Services, Death Certificate of Tom J. Johnston Jr (73-087531), Contra Costa County, Tom J Johnston Jr, 1973.

Copyright © 2020 by Lisa S. Gorrell, Mam-ma's Southern Family, All rights reserved.