They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Anderson/Jones)

Enslaved People Named: Sylvia, George, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Rose, Sylvia, George, Delia, Sue, July, Nanny, Rachel, Toney, Celia, Adam, Joe, Jack, Lizette, Jenny, Myley [alt: Miley], Prime, Auber, Phillis, Carolina, March, Tyrone, Primus, Judy, Jenny, Affee, Allen, Elsy, Betty, Flora, Dick, Daphne, Sue, Beck, Neiger

On June 6, 1806, Sarah Anderson, spinster of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract with Joseph Jones, planter of Liberty County, naming James Nephew, John Cooper, William Anderson, Andrew Maybank and William Page as her trustees. Since she was “entitled unto a certain personal estate consisting of Negro Slaves,” they agreed that the trustees would take possession of the enslaved people in order to provide maintenance and support for her “in case of casualties,” and they were named as “thirty eight Negro Slaves, named Sylvia, George, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Rose, Sylvia, George, Delia, Sue, July, Nanny, Rachel, Toney, Celia, Adam, Joe, Jack, Lizette, Jenny, Myley [alt: Miley], Prime, Auber, Phillis, Carolina, March, Tyrone, Primus, Judy, Jenny, Affee, Allen, Elsy, Betty, Flora, Dick, Daphne, Sue, Beck and Neiger [alt: Neger or Niger]…” Witnessed by Charlotte S. Nephew, Susanna Cooper. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on July 2, 1806. 

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. 134. Image #233 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J98H-T?i=232)