They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Estate Settlement (Fraser/Walthour)

Enslaved Persons Named: Sambo, Scipio, Affey, Eve, Sarah, Jean, Paris, Elizabeth, Sambo, Toney

On January 3, 1839, John S. Fraser, of Chatham County, identifying himself as son and heir of John E. Fraser late of Liberty County, quit-claimed to his guardian, George W. Walthour, of Liberty County, “all manner of actions suites reckonings accounts debts dues & demands whatsoever which he the said John S. Fraser ever had now hath or which he his Executors, Administrators at any time hereafter can or may have claim or demand against the said George W. Walthour his Executors or Administrators, for touching or concerning the management & disposition of the following named Slaves (to wit) Sambo, Scipio, Affey, Eve, Sarah, Jean, Paris Elizabeth Sambo & Toney which said Slaves were conveyed by Joseph Jones Agent for the Sunbury Female Asylum according to instructions given him & recorded in the Clerk’s Office (Book E folio 360) to the said George W. Walthour for the use benefit & behoof of the said John S. Fraser his heirs and assigns forever the receipt of which Slaves is hereby acknowledged by the said John S. Fraser or for or by reason of any money rent hire or other profits by him received of or on account of the said Negroes or any payments made thereof during the minority of the said John S. Fraser…” Witnessed by Jas [James] S. McCollough, W.B. Fleming, Joseph Felt, J.P. Recorded on February 8, 1839, by Edward Way, Clerk.

[NOTE: See the two deeds on pages 51 and 52 of Deed Book L for sale by John S. Fraser of enslaved people and named parcels of land to George W. Walthour.]

On the same page was recorded the following document:

“Savannah January 3rd 1839
To Edward Way, Esqr. Clerk of the Superior Court of Liberty County

Dear Sir

Having this day received satisfaction in full for the Bond of George W. Walthour Esqr in my favor binding him to return to me within a specified time certain property which he the said George had purchased from me, which bond is of record in your Office, this is to authorise and empower you to cancell said bond upon the Record the Original of the same having been lost and I do hereby release unto the said George W. Walthour all actions or causes of actions whihc I ever had, now have or ever can have for or on account [of] said bond and to this I bind my self my Heirs Executors and assigns forever.

In presence of
Jas. S. McCollough
Wm. B. Fleming
Joseph Felt J.P.

[Signed] John S. Fraser
Recorded this 8th day of February 1839. E. Way, 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. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 53-4. Image #353 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9KP-T?i=352&cat=292358)