They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Colonial Will – John Lupton

Parish: St. John
Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Jean, Bob, Jack
Slaveholder: Lupton, John
Date: 1767-04-18

[Begin transcription]

Georgia St. John’s Parish

In the Name of God Amen I John Lupton being sick and weak of Body but of sound mind and memory, calling to mind my mortality and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and appoint this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following That is to say: First of all committing my Body to the Earth to be buried with a decent and Christian Burial at the Discretion of my Executors and my Soul unto the Hands of God that gave it. I will first of all that my Lawfull Debts and funeral charges be paid.

Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved Susanna Baker Daughter of Benjamin Baker one Negro Wench named Jean with her sons by Name Bob & Jack, one Feather Bed and Furniture and my riding horse Ball to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

Item I will that all the rest of my Estate, excepting my wearing Apparel, both real and personal be sold, and that such part thereof as shall remain after the Discharge of my Debts as abovesaid, shall be divided into six equal parts, one of which said Parts I give the aforesaid Susanna Baker.

Item I give one of the said Parts to my beloved Sister Elizabeth Lupton to her and her heirs and assigns.

Item I give one of the said Parts to my beloved Nephew William McDowell the son of John and Lucretia McDowell to him his Heirs and assigns.

Item I give one of the said Parts to be equally divided amongst my Nephews and Niece William ??Mcgee?? Elizabeth Conner and Benjamin Johnston the children of [word blurred that starts with A] Johnston to them their Heirs and Assigns.

I give one of the said Parts to be equally divided between my Niece Sarah ??Hawkins?? and my beloved Friend Benjamin Baker, and I further give unto the said Benjamin Baker all my wearing Apparel, and it is my Will that the said Apparel should not be appraised as any part of my Estate.

I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Friends Samuel Jones Benjamin Andrews John Quarterman and Thomas Quarterman Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all other Wills Testaments and Legacies whatsoever by me heretofore made or mentioned ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

SIgned sealed published and pronounced the eighteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven.

John Lupton

In Presence of
Henry Barfield
Nathaniel Plomer
Sarah Plommer

[NOTE: Probated by Nathaniel Plomer on May 12, 1767. Recorded on June 18, 1767.

[End transcription]

Source of will: Ancestry.com, “Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records,1742-1992,” -> “All Counties” -> Wills, Vol A, 1754-1772” Pages 216-7, Image #135 of 257. Accessed on 5/15/2021 at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8635/images/007701184_00135.