They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Ladson/Varnedoe)

Enslaved Persons Named: Lucy, and her two children Matilda and Joe, Saray [or possibly Sandy], Lydia and her three children Sarah, William and Mary, Adeline and her child Andrew

On March 20, 1850, Mary A. Ladson of Chatham County and Nathaniel J. Varnedoe of Liberty County entered into a marriage contract, with John H. Ladson, William J. Way and John S. Rogers, Chatham County, as her trustees, in which she transferred to her trustees “the following negro slaves to wit Lucy, and her two children Matilda and Joe, Saray [or possibly Sandy], Lydia and her three children Sarah, William and Mary, Adeline and her child Andrew, and the future issue and increase of the said female slaves.” The conditions of inheritance were specified; if she were to die without children, “all the said negro slaves with their future issue and increase shall immediately belong and be the property of Joseph H. Ladson, William J. Ladson and George W. Ladson, the brothers of said Mary A.” Witnessed by E.W. Marshall, Robert M. Charlton, Not. Pub. [Chatham County] Recorded on May 7, 1850, by J.S. Bradwell, 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. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book N, pp. 229-30. Image #525-6 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5C4Q?i=524&cat=292358)