top of page

Create Your First Project

Start adding your projects to your portfolio. Click on "Manage Projects" to get started

One Rent Receipt for Mrs. Seamore to Ella Walls

Collection

The Ella Walls Collection

Format

Original paper receipt

Date

1931-11-11

People

Ella Walls; Ella Wall

Michael Gladden Jr.; Michael Gladden

Mrs. Seamore

Location

Apopka, Florida, United States of America.

Historical Background

One safekeeping receipt detailing a rent transaction made by Mrs. Seamore to Ella Walls, through Michael Gladden Jr.'s banking service. From material evidence, it appears that Ms. Walls may have had limited literacy and may have relied on Michael Gladden Jr. to fulfill her rent receipt requests. The receipts record Mrs. Seamore's rent activity for November 11th, 1931. The receipt's total is $1.25 to be paid to Ms. Walls.

Ella Walls (1874-1938) was an entrepreneur and businesswoman of Apopka who served as the inspiration for a character in Zora Neale Hurston's novel Mules and Men. Walls was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1874 and moved to Apopka as a widow. Throughout her lifetime, Walls purchased four parcels of land. She operated an orange grove and also constructed small wooden buildings that she rented out to migrant workers. Walls was also a close friend and confidant of Michael Gladden, Jr. up until her 1938 death.

bottom of page