Estate Division (Bird)

Rufus E. Lester and Almira Bird, Chatham County, named James J. Hines as their attorney on January 15, 1861, in the division of the estate of Mrs. Sarah Bird, deceased, from Liberty County, and authorized him to agree to an “amicable division” of the estate without administration and to sign all agreements. This authorization recorded in 18 February 1861 by Jesse Brewer, Clerk. 

The heirs of Sarah Bird, late of Liberty County, agreed to the appraisal of “the negroes of said estate” and had them drawn into five lots, drawing them as follows: 

Lot #1 – “negro man June valued at $1100.00, Louisa $100.00, Ralph $750.00, Daniel $450.00, Emma $150.00, Axson $350.00” — drawn by T. [Thomas] R. Hines

Lot #2 – “consisting of the following Negroes, viz: Dennis valued at $1500.00, Hetty $650.00, Doll $500.00, Stephen $550.00, Amanda $300.00” — drawn by E. Daniel

Lot #3 – “consisting of the following Negroes, viz: Louis $950.00, Mariann $400.00, Fanny $500.00, Jim $500.00, Cornelia $200.00, Josephine $100.00” — drawn by Edward J. & Almira Bird

Lot #4 – “consisting of the following Negroes, to wit: George valued at $1000.00, Grace $500.00, Frankey $800.00, William $400.00, Patsy $200.00” — drawn by James J. Hines, “attorney for R.E. Lester and natural guardian for Sarah E.  J. Steele Hines minors”

Lot #5 – “consisting of the following Negroes, viz: Moses valued at $950.00, Juliann $950.00, Joseph $500.00, Judy $200.00, Georgia $375.00, Hester $300.00” — drawn by James R. Bird

Heirs attested that this was “the entire Negro property of the estate of Sarah Bird, dec,” and agreed that “this shall be a full and final settlement and receipt for the aforesaid negro property.” They appointed James R. Bird as their attorney to sell all the estate’s real and personal property and collect all money owed to the estate, then to divide it among the heirs. Witnessed on 17 January 1861 by A.B. Daniel, Newman Bradley, Israel Smith. Recorded on 20 February 1861 by Jesse Brewer, Clerk.