They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Liberty County Will — Shadrach Butler


Will Summary (published 1964)

Shadrach Butler of Liberty County, planter. Last Will and Testament dated August 17, 1819, probated June 24, 1822. He gives certain slaves to Mrs. Barbara Screven [spelled Scriven in text], also tract of land known as Screven Hill bought by testator from Mr. Screven. Home plantation “Biddeford” [NOTE: appears to be spelled Bidiford in original will, could also be Bideford] is given to Sarah Holmes, daughter of David G. Holmes. Devises to Joseph Butler $300.00 and a horse. Gives certain slaves to Audley Maxwell, Sr. Remainder of estate to Barbara Screven and Sarah Holmes. Executors: Charles O. Screven, Audley Maxwell Sr.  Witnesses: Frederick Herb, J. Cuyler, Wm. H. Cuyler.

Slave names left out of the original summary:

To Mrs. Barbara Scriven [Screven]: “the following slaves; namely, Peggy, and her children, Delia, Cinda, Jim, London, Owen, Diana and Smart…”

To Audley Maxwell, Senior: “the following slaves, named France & his wife ?? Cete ??, Celia & her children, Sancho, Nanny, Hannah & William; Sippero & her child Rachel; Rose & her child Molly & a fellow John; and Cuffy & his wife ?? Die or Dee ?? & their children, Cuffy, Sary and Joe; & a sorrel mare named Dolly, to him, his heirs & assigns forever.”

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_00148

FamilySearch.org:

“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-P9X4?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 148 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.