They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Used as Collateral (Smith/Rogers)

Enslaved People Named: Peter, Clarissa, Dick, Celia, Boston, Hannah, Billy, Jack, King, Hannah, Will, Die, Jupiter, Leah, Syke, Kit, Dick

On June 24, 1814, James Smith, planter of Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $3600 to Charles William Rogers, “practitioner of physic” in Liberty County, “the following negro slaves, named Peter & his wife Clarissa, Dick & his wife Celia, Boston & his child Hannah, Billy, (a fellow) Jack, do. [ditto] King & his wife Hannah, Will & his wife Die [alt: Dye], Jupiter, Leah, Syke [alt: Psyche], Kit and Dick, making the number seventeen (17) and their future issue…” Witnessed by John B. Maxwell, Alexander M. McIver. Recorded July 28, 1814. 

Written on the deed was “Laurel View 11th June 1817 Rec’d of Mr. Benj’n Mell three hundred and forty seven dollars and 73/100 in full of the within bond and mortgage. [Signed] For Cyrus Gildersleeve, J. Elliott. Recorded 12th June 1817.” 

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. 322. Image #466 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QL-J9DS-1?i=465)