They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Grimball/Smith)

Enslaved People Named: Sue

On March 7, 1809, Liberty County Sheriff Josiah Wilson sold to James Smith “with fourteen others” “a certain Negroe wench named Sue, the property of the sd [said] Paul Grimball.” Wilson had seized Sue from Grimball based on a writ of fieri facias obtained by virtue of a suit by John Couper, executor, Thomas Lanchester, Oliver Sturges [word or name], Rod. McCloud and William McClure against Grimball in Liberty County Superior Court. Wilson put Sue up for public auction at the Riceboro Courthouse on Tuesday, March 7. Smith was the highest bidder for the “sd [said] lot of Negroes” at $3223. Witnessed by James Powell. 

In an attached deed dated March 8, 1809, James Smith transferred all his rights to Sue over to Josiah Wilson, Liberty County Sheriff. 

Date recorded in Liberty County Superior Court not given. 

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. 229. Image #281 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J984-6?i=280)