Marriage Contract (Roberts/Elliott)

On Mary 12, 1774, Daniel Roberts, formerly of Wales but then a gentleman of St. John’s Parish in Georgia [now Liberty County], entered into a marriage contract with Amarantha [alt: Amarintha] Elliott, daughter of Elizabeth Elliott. Elizabeth Elliott, widow of St. John’s Parish, and John Elliott, planter of St. John’s Parish, were to be her trustees. Put into trust for her were “the following Negroes or Slaves, by name, Frank, Will, Tobey, Scipio, Harry, Charles, Pattey [alt: Patty], Phobe [alt: Phoebe], Sary, Daphney and Little Charles, with all other Goods and Chattels of what sort of Kind so ever the said Amarantha Elliott is now, or shall hereafter be, entitled to, or possessed of, by Virtue of the last Will and Testament of John Elliott Esquire, deceased, father of the said Amarantha Elliott…” It was agreed that Daniel Roberts “shall have the use and improvement of the said Negroes or Slaves and their Issue” during his and Amarantha Elliott’s natural lives together. If he died before her, without an heir by her, they were to remain her property. If she died first, without an heir by him, they would be inherited according to her will. If she did not leave a will, they would become the property of her lawful heirs, excluding Daniel Roberts. Further conditions were given in case they had a child.  Witnessed by William Quarterman, Ambrose Wright. William Quarterman swore on October 23, 1775, that he had witnessed the signatures. Recorded on October 30, 1778.