They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Used as Collateral (Handley to Burroughs/Maxwell)

Enslaved Persons Named: Sharper, Jack, Isaac, Charles and Katy, Richard, Sam, Daphne, Laurence, Nat, Moses, William, Susan, Jane, Rachael, Affi [alt: Affee, Affy], Prince, Chatham, Prophet, Livia [or Linia].

Harriet S. Handley, of Liberty County, owed $6350.10, not including interest, to William H. Burroughs and Thomas H. Maxwell, “partners doing business in the City of Savannah under the firm name of Wm. H. Burroughs & Co.” Details of her debts (promissory notes) were given. On January 3, 1860, she used the following enslaved people as security for the debt: “the following named negro slaves male and female twenty in number: Sharper, Jack, Isaac, Charles and Katy, Richard, Sam, Daphne, Laurence, Nat, Moses, William, Susan, Jane, Rachael, Affi [alt: Affee, Affy], Prince, Chatham, Prophet, Livia [or Linia].” If the debt were not paid, Burroughs and Maxwell had the right to sell the enslaved people. Witnessed by Charles S. McKinnie, D.A. Miller, Sheriff L. Co. Recorded on March 29, 1860 by Jesse Brewer, C.S.C.L.C. NOTE: Written over the document was “Savannah March 3d 1864. Received from Mr. Wm. P. Girardeau two hundred & eighty two 53/100 dollars in full of the balance principal, interest & commission now due on the within mortgage, in full payment thereof. Wm. H. Burroughs & Co. Enetered this 29th March 1864. Jesse Brewer, Clerk.” 

Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. O-P 1854-1870,” Record Book P, pp. 25-7. (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSR4-Q?i=383&cat=292358)