They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Harford/Fabian)

Enslaved People Named: None

On February 5, 1805, Henry Harford, merchant of Darien, and Esther Dean Fabian, of Sunbury, entered into a marriage contract, naming John Elliott, planter of Liberty County as her trustee. Put into trust for her was all the property she inherited by the death “of her late husband Jonathan Fabian,” some of which had not yet been divided to her. All of it was to continue to be her property, including “the increase of the female slaves.” Harford was to have the joint use of the property with her during their natural lives, and at her death, she was to have the right to dispose of it as she chose. Witnessed by A. Maybank. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on March 25, 1805. [NOTE: No names of enslaved people were given in this contract.] 

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. E-G 1801-1816,” Record Book F (1804-1809), p. 51. Image #191 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J9DY-W?i=190)