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.
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| 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.
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| My grandparents in the backyard of their new house |
[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.
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Great blog and how wonderful that you have the original deeds and map
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job extracting info from those papers. It really does help to define their life at that time.
ReplyDelete