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Two Marked Safekeeping Receipts for Ms. Dora Lee Davis

Collection

The Safekeeping Receipt Collection

Format

Two original paper receipts

Date

1934-04

People

Ms. Dora Lee Davis; Ms. Dora Davis; Dora Davis

Michael Gladden Jr.; Michael Gladden

Location

Apopka, Florida, United States of America.

Historical Background

Two receipts marked for the safekeeping account of Ms. Dora Davis by Michael Gladden Jr.

On the left receipt, Ms. Davis deposited $1.00 into her existing safekeeping account, which totaled $19.00, bringing her to $20.00 as of April 26th, 1934. Michael Gladden Jr. indicated that her account was paid in full on the same date, Ms. Davis' signature recorded on the bottom of the receipt.

On the right receipt, Ms. Davis deposited $2.00 into her existing safekeeping account of $15.00, bringing her to $17.00 as of April 7th, 1934.

At a time when Black Americans distrusted banks due to racial discrimination and the dawn of the Great Depression (1929-1939), Michael Gladden Jr. stepped up to become the community's safekeeper and banker. Mr. Gladden securely stored these special store receipts in one of three vaults in his storefront, M. Gladden Staple and Fancy Groceries. The earliest evidence of Michael Gladden's monetary safekeeping dates to 1931, when Apopka started to feel the effects of the Depression in full force.

Two receipts marked for the safekeeping account of Ms. Dora Davis by Michael Gladden Jr.

On the left receipt, Ms. Davis deposited $1.00 into her existing safekeeping account, which totaled $19.00, bringing her to $20.00 as of April 26th, 1934. Michael Gladden Jr. indicated that her account was paid in full on the same date, Ms. Davis' signature recorded on the bottom of the receipt.

On the right receipt, Ms. Davis deposited $2.00 into her existing safekeeping account of $15.00, bringing her to $17.00 as of April 7th, 1934.

At a time when Black Americans distrusted banks due to racial discrimination and the dawn of the Great Depression (1929-1939), Michael Gladden Jr. stepped up to become the community's safekeeper and banker. Mr. Gladden securely stored these special store receipts in one of three vaults in his storefront, M. Gladden Staple and Fancy Groceries. The earliest evidence of Michael Gladden's monetary safekeeping dates to 1931, when Apopka started to feel the effects of the Depression in full force.

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