This is Mr. Anthony Crawford. He was a black American farmer and businessman who lived in Abbeville, South Carolina, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite the many obstacles he faced as a black man during Jim Crow, Mr. Crawford managed to build a successful farming enterprise and provide for his family. He owned a 427-acre cotton farm in Abbeville, which he used to enrich himself and his family. Mr. Crawford sold cotton, melons, syrup, and other products produced by his land. He also had 13 children, all of whom lived on his land with their spouses and children. He even built a school on his land for the children of blacks in Abbeville and didn't hesitate to provide any assistance to his people.
However, Mr. Crawford's success was seen as a threat. His story took a tragic turn when he was lynched by a white mob in 1916. It is described as one of the most notorious cases of racial violence in South Carolina's history. He was lynched due to cursing back at a white man, and being too rich for a negro. His last words were, "Give my bankbook to my children." His family was then terrorized off the land and the family generational wealth would be stolen.
Crawford's murder was a tragic and senseless act of violence that serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated racism and inequality that plagued the Jim Crow South. Despite his success and contributions to his community, he was still subject to the many forms of discrimination and violence that were common in that era. His family was ordered and terrorized to leave their 427-acre cotton farm, which they had owned for years.
However, Crawford's legacy lives on as a symbol of the resilience and strength of the black community in the face of adversity. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and working towards a more equitable and just society for all.
