Enslaved Persons Named: Tom, Nancy, Abba, Nero, Sophronia, Davy, Jerry, Reuben, Huke (?), Maria
On October 8, 1829, Henry W. Bacon, Georgia, and Julia James, Sumter District, South Carolina, entered into a marriage contract with John James and Peter Mellett of Sumter District, South Carolina, as her trustees. By virtue of the contract, Julia James’ property was put into trust for her upon her marriage, it being the property she inherited from “her deceased father’s estate” as one sixth of the estate “in which Mrs. Easter James has a life estate allotted to her in a division of the estate of Walter James deceased, and to one third part of the estate allotted to the said Julia, Amanthia and Frances James, in a bill of equity in the District & State aforesaid, wherein the said Easter James and others are complainants, and John B. Miller executor of Walter James is Defendant…” [NOTE: Please read the original document for additional details.] An attached schedule of the property included in the marriage settlement showed “one sixth part of a tract of land containing two hundred & fifty acres near ??Mush?? Swamp adjoining lands of Jeremiah Pitts & Joshua Spears in Sumter District & the following negroes, to wit, Tom Nancy Abba & Nero & their increase since they were allotted to Mrs. Easter James & their future increase & of the Stock household & kitchen furniture & plantation tools that may be left at the death of Mrs. Easter James, who has a life estate in the same also one third part of the following negroes, to wit, Sophronia, Davy, Jerry, Reuben, ? Huke ? & Maria & their increase.” Witnessed by Wm. [William] Wheeler, Jas. H. Sylvester. Probated in Sumpter District, South Carolina, by Wm. Wheeler on October 28 1829, before John Nettles. Recorded in [one word] conveyances Book H, page 129, 28th Oct A.D. 1829. On February 21, 1843, certified by J.M. Durgan, in the State of South Carolina Sumter District’s Register’s Office. Recorded on March 11, 1843, by E. Way [Liberty County Superior Court] Clerk. [NOTE: Not clear why this 1829 South Carolina marriage contract was recorded in Liberty County in 1843.]
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 M, pp. 59-61. Image #61-2 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5WPL?i=60&cat=292358)