They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Dryer/Morris)

Enslaved People Named: Elsy, Harry

On April 1, 1809, Liberty County Sheriff Josiah Wilson sold to James E. Morris for $301 “two Negroes viz Elsy [alt: Elcey] & Harry.” Wilson had seized Elly and Harry as the property of Nathan Dryer, deceased, based on a writ of fieri facias obtained via lawsuits against Dryer in Liberty County Superior and Inferior Courts by McCleod & Ray, John Ross & Co and others. He put them up for public auction at the Riceboro Courthouse on March 7, and Morris was the highest bidder. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on March 3, 1810. 

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 G (1809-1816), p. 65. Image #332 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J9ZY-5?cat=292358)