They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Sulligree/Austin)

Enslaved Persons Named: Dick, Chloe, Judy, Judy, Jenny, Jenny, Mary, Joe, Rachel, John, Perry, Cuffee, Mira, Peggy, Sally, Anthony, Prince, Sam, Emeline, Nancy, Tom, Ella, Flora, Becky, Philip, Betsy

On September 19, 1816, Mary Sulligree, widow, and Joseph Austin, both of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract, with Reverend William McWhir of Liberty County and Colonel John J. Maxwell and Colonel Thomas H. Harden, both of Bryan County, as her trustees. Put into trust for Mary Sulligree were “a certain personal estate, consisting of negro slaves”: “Dick, Chloe his wife, Judy and her child Judy, Jenny and her child Jenny, Mary, Joe, Rachel, John, Perry, Cuffee, Mira, Peggy, Sally, Anthony, Prince, Sam, Emeline, Nancy, Tom, Ella his wife, Flora, Becky, Philip and Betsy,” 26 in number. If Joseph Austin and Mary Sulligree were to have children, the trust would be inherited by them at her death, or by whomever she specified in her will, if she did not have children with him. If she were to die without a will and childless, then Joseph Austin or his heirs were to take possession. Witnessed by Bartholomew A. Busby. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on November 21, 1825. 

[NOTE: Mary Soulagree/Sulligree appears to have inherited these people from John Soulagree. See his 1812 estate inventory at: https://theyhadnames.net/2019/06/26/liberty-county-estate-inventory-john-soulagree/] 

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, p. 152-3. Image #378  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSBY-R?i=377&cat=292358)

“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93L-P72?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 345 of 689.