They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Liberty County Will – Micajah Andrews

Will Summary:

Testator: Micajah Andrews, Liberty County, State of Georgia

Bequests:

  • Directs that a fair evaluation or appraisement be made by three judicious neighbours of all his estate, and that a copy of this signed with their names be given to each of his executors.

  • Sons Joseph Andrews and Robert Q. Andrews shall each have ten dollars paid to him out of his estate by his executors.

  • Granddaughter Virginia Daughtery shall have 25 dollars paid her when she is of age or when she marries “if in this country.”

  • Son John L. Andrews “shall have my coloured boy Ephraim to have and to hold the same and to do with him and for him the best he can for his comfort and happiness.”

  • Gives to J. S. Andrews one hundred acres of land to be taken in the northwest or northeast corner of his tract of land, together with a cow and yearling, plus fifteen head of goats and one hundred dollars to be held in trust “for the use of the before mentioned coloured boy Ephraim.”

  • Directs that son Edward Q. Andrews shall have one sixth part of his personal and real estate not otherwise disposed of, deducting “from the same the amount at which the land shall be valued by the appraisors of my estate that I have given him.”

  • Daughter Mary E. Smith shall have one sixth part of any personal and real estate not otherwise disposed of deducting from the same thirty dollars in value.

  • Daughter Lidia [alt: Lydia] Q. Baker shall have one sixth part of his personal and real estate not otherwise disposed of, “and for the better securing to her the said Lidia Q. Baker the said property. I appoint my son John S. Andrews trustee in trust for the same and if the said Lidia Q. Baker should die childless then the said property with the increase shall return to my family and be divided between their children and grandchildren in the same manner and form as I have now given my property to them.”

  • Son J.S. Andrews shall have one sixth part of his personal and real estate not otherwise disposed of.

  • His grandchildren, the children of his son Joseph Andrews, shall have one sixth part of his personal and real estate not otherwise disposed of “deducting in value from the same two hundred and seventy dollars, and I appoint my son John S. Andrews guardian for the better securing to them the above mentioned children their property.”

  • His grandchildren, the children of my son R. Q. Andrews, shall have “all that parcel or piece of land lying in and being bounded north of E.Q. Andrews’ land, east of E.Q. Andrews’ present avenue, south by Mrs. Winn’s land and as far west as that portion of my land may extend, and I appoint my son E.Q. Andrews guardian for the better securing to them the last mentioned children their property.”

  • Also I direct that three of my coloured people old Phebe, old Tom and Tamar shall choose their owners out of my heirs. Also I direct that my heirs that inherit my coloured people shall give them religious instruction from the bible. “

Executors: sons Joseph Andrews, E.Q. Andrews, R.Q. Andrews and J.S. Andrews

Date signed: 19 June 1843.

Witnesses: Nicholas J. Clark, John Clark, William Clark

Probated by John Clark on 4 September 1843

Recorded 9 September 1843

See original will at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GHYK?i=612&wc=9SYT-PT5:267679901,268032901&cc=1999178