Liberty County Estate Inventory & Division – Thomas Elliott Law

Location: Liberty County, Georgia
Deceased: Law, Thomas Elliott
Date Sworn: 1822-01-26
Appraisers: Joseph Jones, Nathl [Nathaniel] Law, Saml [Samuel] Lines
Estate Administrator: Joseph Law
Court Officer: James S. Bradwell, J.I.C.L.C.
Date Recorded: 1822-02-09
Recording Official: E. Baker, Clk
Total Value of Property Appraised: $4625
Value of enslaved persons: $4625
Comments: William Robarts, on behalf of his wife Sarah, Joseph G. Law, and Peter W. Law applied for division of this estate. Individuals below listed in lot order. Lots drawn as follows:
1 — Joseph E. Law [as in text – appeared as E here, and as G above]
2 — Peter W. Law
3 — William Robarts, on behalf of his wife

This inventory was accompanied by a document dated January 4, 1819, in which appraisers Joseph Jones, Benjamin Law and Nathaniel Law were sworn before J.P. Samuel Harville, to appraise and divide the Thomas Elliott Law estate so that Alexander M. McIver could take his wife’s share. McIver drew lot #2, which consisted of “eight slaves named Moses, Willoughby, Old Rachel, Gibb, Kate, Harriet, Lindy and Jacob,” valued at $3650. This document was also recorded on February 9, 1822.

There was also another document, recorded the same day, in which the four heirs — Wm. Robarts, Alexander M. McIver, Jos. E. Law [SIC], and Peter W. Law — agreed to divide up the estate’s land “at a more convenient season” and to discharge administrator Joseph Law from all claims.

Another attached document in which the heirs used the enslaved people as collateral against the estate’s debts noted that Moses was not in the possession of heir Alexander M. McIver, but did not give the reason.

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. H-I 1816-1831,” Record Book H, p. 443-7. Image #254-6 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSRR-3?i=253&cat=292358)