They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Deed of Gift (Smylie/Smylie)

Enslaved People Named: Sandy, Jacob, Ben, Tom, James, Becky, Casiah

On January 17, 1812, Neil Smylie made over to his children, Neill Smylie, Matthew Macnair Smylie and Sarah Smylie “all the property I possess by way of a deed of gift.” 

To his son Neill Smylie he gave “my two Negro boys Sandy & Jacob.”

To his son Matthew MacNair Smylie, he gave “my negro boys Ben, Tom and James.”

To Sarah Smylie he gave “my negro woman Becky and her daughter Casiah [alt: Keziah].”

“The future offspring of the foresaid woman Becky before the youngest of my three children, viz. Neill Smylie Matthew McNair Smylie and Sarah Smylie come of age are to be equally divided among them. “ 

He also left 5 shillings to his son John Smylie and five shillings to his son James Smylie. He gave his sons Neill Smylie and Matthew McNair Smylie his wagon and team, and his riding chair to his daughter Sarah Smylie. 

Witnessed by Roderick MacNair, John Currie, James Smylie. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on January 18, 1812.

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. 164. Image #384 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J98C-B?i=383&cat=292358)