They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Used as Collateral (Stevens/Porter)

Enslaved Persons Named: Phillis [Old, alt: Phyllis], Eve, Peggy, John, Tira [alt: Tyra], Nanny, Tena [alt: Tenah], Tom, Billy, Billy, Sandy, Sue

On January 4, 1842, John Stevens, planter of Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $2000 to Major Anthony Porter, of Chatham County, “the following named Slaves (to wit) Old Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Eve, Peggy, John, Tira [alt: Tyra], Nanny, Tena, Tom, Billy, Billy, Sandy, and Sue, and the future issue of the females,” as well as the Springfield plantation, containing 325 acres, as surveyed by John W. Stacy, deputy surveyor of Liberty County, on January 15, 1840, bounded north and west by land of O.W. Stevens and by Palmyra, south by land of Thomas J. Dunham, and east by Dickerson’s Creek. Witnessed by Wm. [William] Throne Williams, J.I.C.C.C., Wm. Robertson, Jno. M. Sallin. [NOTE: Preceding probably all in Chatham County.] Recorded [in Liberty County] on January 20, 1842, by E. Way, Clerk. [NOTE: Written on this deed was “Savannah 20 March 1846. Dear Sir, You are hereby authorised and requested to enter in the face of the record of the mortgage recorded in your office Book L Page 332,333, John Stevens Jr. to me, my relinquishment of all right title interest or claim under said mortgage to the two negroes named Tenah and Betty. [Signed] A. Porter. To the Clerk of the Superior Court Liberty County Georgia. Hinesville 23d March 1846. Received and recorded this date above. 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. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 332-3 . Image #494-5 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9K6-8?i=493&cat=292358)