Parish: St. Andrew
Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Abram, Chloe, Betty, Delia, Joe, Dick, Isaac, Satyra [Satira, Sativa], Emey [Alt: Emmy], Quibus, Teena [Alt: Tina], Judy, Katey [Alt: Katie, Katy], Phobe [Alt: Phoebe], Guy, Guy, Mamello, Mamello, Jacob, Minnerva [alt: Minerva],
Slaveholder: Adams, Robert
Signed: 1775-01-19
Probated: 1775-01-31
[NOTE: First two and last paragraph summarized, middle section transcribed as noted.]
First two paragraphs: Robert Adams of St. Andrews Parish described himself as a planter and “weak in body but of perfect sound mind and memory.”
[Begin transcription]
I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Esther Adams in South Carolina, Six Negroes named as follows: One fellow named Abram, One wench named Chloe, One girl named Betty, One child named Delia, One boy named Joe, and One fellow named Dick, which I have some time ago made her a gift of. To her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my loving son Robert Adams, One Negroe fellow named Isaac, One Negroe wench named Satyra, One Negroe girl named Emey, and one Negroe boy named Quibus. To him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Rebeccah Beard, One Negroe wench named Teena, and One Negroe girl named Judy. To her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Rachel Smith of South Carolina, One Negroe girl named Katey, and One Negroe girl named Phobe, which she hath now in her possession and which I have made already made her a deed of gift of. To her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Mary Brown the [blurred] Negroes that is to say. One fellow named Guy, One boy named Guy, One boy named Mamello, one fellow named Mamello, One fellow named Jacob, and One wench named Minnerva. To her and to her heirs forever.
My will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral charges may be first paid by the Executors of this my last will and testament before any division of the above Negroes are made, and that the said Negroes shall not be divided until such time as the said debts and charges are fully paid.
[End transcription]
Last paragraph: Adams appointed his son-in-law William Brown and his son Robert Adams as executors. Will was signed on January 19, 1775, and witnessed by Strong Ashmore and Nicholas Smith. Probated by Strong Ashmore on January 31, 1775.
Source: “Wills, Colony of Georgia, RG 49-1-2, Georgia Archives”, Colonial Estate Records, held by Georgia Archives Virtual Vault; accessed online at: https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cw/id/987/rec/1.