Marriage Settlement (Coleman/Ashmore)

“Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture of three parts made and entered into this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty six between John Coleman of the first part, Caroline Ashmore of the second part and Joseph Ashmore of the third part all of State and County aforesaid, witnesseth that the said John Coleman for and in consideration of a marriage to be had and solemnized between him the said John Coleman of the first part and said Caroline Ashmore of the second part does for himself his heirs executors administrators and assigns covenant grant and agree that all that tract of land on which I now reside containing fifty acres more or less with all the rights members and appurtenances to said tract of land in any wise belonging or appertaining and four negroes and their increase, to wit Celia, Simon, Edy, and Hardy also my horse entire stock of cattle bedding silver spoons household and kitchen furniture and such other personal goods and chattles of which I am now possessed and all such property as the said Caroline is now possessed of or may hereafter inherit from her relations and friends shall form and remain to be her separate property and estate and shall not in law or equity be subject to the payment of the said John Coleman or be subject to be sold and conveyed by him but the right and title of said property shall be vested in said Joseph Ashmore for the use and benefit of said Caroline Ashmore. And the said John Coleman further covenants and agrees that the said Caroline Ashmore may dispose of said property by will to any person whom she may in that way appoint subject however to be used by said John Coleman during the continuance of the coveture for the mutual benefit and advantage of said John Coleman and Caroline Ashmore with the consent and approbation of the said Joseph Ashmore. And the said John Coleman and Caroline Ashmore nominate and appoint said Joseph Ashmore trustee of said property who is authorized to possess himself of and control said property in any way he may deem most for the interest of said Caroline Ashmore. And the said Joseph Ashmore consents and agrees to his nomination and appointment as trustee for said property.” Witnessed by Elisha A. Smith, Benjamin Lane, William R. Shave, J.C. Wilkins, N.P. Recorded on January 16, 1857, by S.A. Fraser. C.S.C.L.C.

[NOTE: In 1859, Joseph Ashmore, as trustee for Caroline Coleman, sold the above-named enslaved people to Valentine Grest. That bill of sale identified Simon, Edy, and Hardy as Celia’s children, though Hardy had died in the meantime, and a new child, Hettie, had been born and was also sold to Grest. See: https://theyhadnames.net/2019/02/08/marriage-settlement-ashmore-coleman/]