They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Nelmes/Girardeau)

Enslaved Persons Named: Toney, Ned

On July 4, 1822, Elizabeth Jane Nelmes and William Pinkney Girardeau, both of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract, with Major Andrew Maybank, also of Liberty County, as her trustee. Noting that Elizabeth Jane Nelmes “is entitled to an estate (personal) in said County consisting of the following negro slaves, namely to one negro man slave named Toney, one other negro man slave named Ned,” the contract put the two men into trust for her. Witnessed by John Girardeau, Benj’n [Benjamin] Fuller. John Girardeau probated the deed on October 23, 1823. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on November 7, 1823. 

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. H-I 1816-1831,” Record Book  I, 1822-1831, pp. 54-5. Image #329 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSRZ-G?i=328&cat=292358)