They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Liberty County Will — William Baker


Will Summary (published 1964)

William Baker of Liberty County, planter. Last Will and Testament dated October 4, 1798. No date of probate shown. Gives to wife, Ann, and sons William Baker, John Osgood Baker and Daniel Baker, and his unnamed daughters, all evidently minors. Executors: Wife, son William Baker, and friends Thomas Stevens, John Osgood, Joseph Quarterman, Joseph Stevens. Witnesses: Robert Oswald, John Osgood, James Dunwoody, J.P.

Slave names left out of the original summary:

Above was not executed, so codicil was added. Includes: “I will that the wench named Matilda and her children be included as a part of what I have given my beloved wife [Ann] as within.”

 

“I then give and bequeath one Negro to be as nearly of equal value as may be to each of my Daughters, at the discretion of my Ex[ecut]ors, & this to be in full for and in lieu of Lands which I give to them their Heirs and Assigns forever.” [No names listed]. Executed October 4, 1798.

Find the original (complete) will online at:

Ancestry.com:

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8635/005759431_00001?backurl=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fsearch%2fdb.aspx%3fdbid%3d8635%26path%3d&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnBrowsing#?imageId=005759431_00061

FamilySearch.org:

“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93L-P98Q?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 61 of 689; county probate courthouses, Georgia.

1964 Summaries From: “Georgia Court-House Records – Liberty County,” 1964 quarterly issues of The Georgia Genealogical Magazine, Folks Huxford, Editor. Published Under the Auspices of The Wiregrass Georgia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.