They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Way/Lewis)

Enslaved Persons Named: Isaac, Sam, Maria, Rachel, Tenah, Will, Cinda, Bristol, Little Isaac, Tom, Peg, Chloe, Joe, Abram

On July 30, 1809, Drusilla Way, widow of William Way, planter of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract with Samuel Lewis, a gentleman of Liberty County, with Charlton Hines and Hesse Hines, planters, serving as her trustees. The contract noted that Drusilla Way was entitled to an inheritance from her late husband, as listed in his will, including “certain personal estate in negro slaves.” As her late husband’s estate had not yet been divided, it was agreed that any property she should receive from his estate would be put into trust for her. 

Annexed to the contract was a “schedule of the negro slaves bequeathed in the last will and testament of William Way, deceased, to his wife Drusilla Way, referred to and mentioned in the within Deed of Settlement: Isaac, Sam, Maria, Rachel, Tenah, Will, Cinda, Bristol.”

Also annexed was “a schedule of the negro slaves drawn by the within mentioned Samuel Lewis in right of his wife Drusilla Lewis, formerly Drusilla Way, as her proportion of the estate of William Way, deceased; and also other articles of personal property: Little Isaac, Tom, Peg, Chloe, Joe, child Abram, Bed, etc.” 

It was noted that the two above scheduled were annexed to the marriage settlement on January 26, 1829. Witnessed by Joseph Law, Jr.

Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on January 26, 1829.