They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Used as Collateral (Spencer/Wilcox)

Enslaved Persons Named: Joe, Mary, China, Jane, Betsey

On May 25, 1837, Samuel Spencer, planter of Liberty County, used as collateral on several promissory notes to Uriah Wilcox, trader of Liberty County, “a certain negro male Slave named Joe and a female Slave named Mary, and her three children named China Jane and Betsy, together with the future issue of the females.” The promissory notes included one for $104.78 from Spencer to Wilcox, another joint note with William N. Way made on April 18, 1836, for $400 (of which $281.12 remained to be paid on the note), and a note Spencer transferred to Wilcox originally from Richard S. Baker to Spencer for $133.70.

Witnessed by E. Chapman, who probated it on June 1, 1837. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on on June 2, 1837.

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 K, 1831-1838, pp. 408-9. Image #256-7 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9KZ-7?i=255&cat=292358)