They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Liberty County Will — Thomas H. Smith


 Will Summary (published 1964)

Thomas H. Smith “now of Liberty County.” Last Will and Testament dated March 4, 1806; probated June 27, 1809. Gives to his daughter, Sarah Sanders Smith “whom I got by Miss Rachel Moore of Coosawhatchie, S.C. [South Carolina]” his six slaves, his two saddle horses; his negro wench Nancy, he gives to his niece, Elizabeth West Smith. Witness: David Warnock (only one witness). In probating of will, James Smith, Esq. testifies to the signatures of testator and witness, saying same is genuine, etc. He said the testator is dead and Warnock “is without the state and cannot be come at.”

Slave names left out of the original summary:

To daughter Sarah Sanders Smith (see above): “under Mentioned Negroes Viz. & Namely, Anthony, Betty, Johney [alt: Jonny or Johnny], Ned, Bob, and Elcy [or Elsy].”

To niece Elizabeth West Smith: “my wench…named Nancy

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_00103

FamilySearch.org:

“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93L-P9WM?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 103 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.