Georgia, Liberty County } To the Honorable Superior Court of said County
The petition of Abram Houston, William Roberts, Plymouth Fraser, Starling Lambright, Stepney West, William Castles [Cassels], Bartholomew Stevens, William Roberts Sr., Charles Walthour, Dembo Bird, Malbro Graham, Edmund Bacon, Prince Ripley, all members of the Congregation of Midway Presbyterian Church colored of said County, respectfully sets forth and shows, That in their opinion they are discreet and proper persons and that in compliance with the provisions of the Act of the General Assembly approved December 16th, 1878, they desire to be incorporated as the Midway Presbyterian Church colored of Liberty County, for religious purposes and wish for corporate authority to enforce good order, receive donations, make purchases and effect alienations of realty or personalty – not for purposes of trade or profit but for promoting the general design of such Church organization and to look after the general interest of such Church organization.
And petitioners pray this Honorable Court to grant to them a Charter to be for them and their legal successors, said Charter to include such corporate powers as may be suitable for carrying into effect the purposes of said Church organization and said Charter to remain in force Twenty (20) years unless sooner revoked by law.
Henry B. Tompkins
Sol. for petitioners
Superior Court of Liberty County
May Term 1880
Upon reading the above petition, it is considered, ordered and adjudged by the Court that the same be and is hereby granted and that the said petitioners named in the foregoing petition to wit, Abram Houston, William Roberts, Plymouth Fraser, Starling Lambright, Stepney West, William Castles, Bartholomew Stevens, William Roberts Sr, Charles Walthour, Dembo Bird, Malbro Graham, Edmund Bacon and Prince Ripley be duly incorporated as a corpoate body, known as the Midway Presbyterian Church colored, with all the rights, powers, functions and authorities incident to a religious Congregation with the right to hold and purchase and convey property both real and personal, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded and have a corporate seal and generally to do and perform each and everything necessary fully to carry into operation and effect the purposes of their Incorporation. Granted in Open Court 18th May 1880.
C.J. Wright
J.S.C.A.C. Presiding
Source: Liberty County Superior Court Minutes, Liberty County, Georgia. Digital image accessed at FamilySearch.org, “Superior Court minutes, 1784-1935 [Liberty County, Georgia],” subset “1859-1884,” page 321, image #511 of 661, at
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-49MZ-P?i=510&cat=332384, accessed 1/19/2021.