They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Jackson/Blake)

Enslaved Persons Named: Lucy, Ben, Joe, Toney [alt: Tony]

On March 3, 1842, Hannah Jackson and Joseph Blake, both of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract, with John Jackson, James Jackson, and Joseph Jackson as her trustees. Into her trust were put “the following negro slaves to wit: Lucy, Ben, Joe & Toney & a stock of cattle to the amount of twenty head or thereabouts.” Witnessed by John A. Jackson, James Jackson.

Written at the bottom of this document was: “Received Liberty County 19th March 1842 from John & James Jackson Trustees [1-2 words] said negroes viz Lucy – Ben – Joe – & Tony also twenty head of cattle more or less in full for my proportion of my grandmother Emelia [alt: Amelia] Curl’s estate. J.C. Wilkins, J.P. [Signed] Hannah Blake.”

Recorded this 20th June 1842, by 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. 371-2. Image #515 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T924-H?i=514&cat=292358)