They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Stone/Oswald)

Enslaved Persons Named: Tola, Dorcass, Phillis, Flora, Isaac

On September 15, 1791, Henry D. Stone, Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract with Ann Oswald, daughter of Thomas Maxwell, deceased of Liberty County, with William Maxwell H.B. and John Graves of Liberty County acting as her trustees. Included in the trust were “five Negroes, namely Tola, Dorcass, Phillis and Flora all females and Isaac a male, as also all other lands Slaves good and chattels which may heretofore, have been, or hereafter may be given or bequeathed over or convey’d to the said Ann Oswald…” Inheritance conditions were specified. Witnessed by E.F. Maxwell, Ferdinand ONeal. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on June 4, 1792. 

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. 494-6. Image #528-9 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-FLTG)