They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Perry/Williams)

Enslaved Persons Named: Simon, Jane, Charles, Mary, Doctor

On January 28, 1858, David A. Perry entered into a marriage contract with Martha B. Williams, both of Liberty County, with James A. Williams and Benjamin Darsey acting as her trustees. As part of the contract, Perry agreed that “five negro slaves to wit: Simon a man about thirty years of age, Jane a woman about forty five years of age, Charles a boy about fourteen years of age, Mary a girl twelve years of age and Doctor a boy child two years old” now belonged to Martha B. Williams, via her trustees, as her separate property and estate, not subject to any of his debts. Witnessed by Wm. [William] B. Gaulden, W.P. Girardeau Not. Pub. Recorded on March 9, 1858, by S.A. Fraser, 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 O, p 378. Image #235. (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSRZ-B?i=234&cat=292358)