They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Sandiford/Shepard)

Enslaved People Named: None

On January 12, 1804, James Sandiford and Sarah Shepard, daughter of Thomas Shepard, deceased, entered into a marriage contract, naming Francis Shepard and Thomas Shepard, also of Georgia, as her trustees. The contract was designed to deal with property Sarah Shepard had inherited from her father, then in the possession of Francis Shepard as executor of his father’s estate. It was to be contained in a writ of division to be executed after the marriage. She was to retain the right of disposal of one half of the inherited property, and the other have was to be used for the benefit of James Sandiford during his life, and to be disposed according to Sarah’s will after his death, replacing her dower rights. Witnessed by Charles Dicks, James Lambright. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on July 2, 1804. 

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. 8-10. Image #168 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J98P-7?i=167)