They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Guardianship (Stevens)

Enslaved Persons Named: None named

On December 21, 1789, Samuel, Thomas, and Elizabeth Stevens, children and heirs of Samuel Stevens, planter of Liberty County deceased, affirmed that they had come of age and were entitled to choose their guardian, and they chose Thomas Stevens, gentleman of Liberty County, to act as such until they became 21. They authorized him to take possession of all their land and property in Liberty County or elsewhere “and of all our Negroes.”  Witnessed by Lathrop Holmes. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on February 10, 1791. 

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. A-B 1777-1793,” Record Book B, 1787-1793, p. 347. Image #454 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-FG9V?i=453&cat=292358)