They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Mell/Mallard)

Enslaved People Named: Sary, Guy, Silvia

On June 4, 1808, Liberty County Sheriff Josiah Wilson sold to Lazarus Mallard for $302 “three certain Negroes the property of the said John Mell named Sary, Guy & Silvia [alt: Sylvia].” Wilson had seized them from the estate of “John Mell late of said [Liberty] County” based on a writ of fieri facias obtained via a lawsuit against Mell by John Miller. Witnessed by Thomas Mallard. Appended to the deed was a statement by Lazarus Mallard transferring all his rights to Sary, Guy and ? Selirce ? to Benjamin Mell and John Osgood, trustees for the widow and children of John Mell deceased “for value rec’d” as of June 2, 1810. Witnessed by Thomas D. Bradwell. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on June 7, 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. 85. Image #343 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J9DZ-Q?i=342&cat=292358)