Enslaved People Named: Neppy, Sarah
On May [left blank], 1817, Samuel Swilly, planter of Liberty County, gifted to his wife Sarah Swilly durin gher natural life the house and plantation on which he then resided, “together with the property contained in the inventory hereunto annexed. After her death, the property was to be divided equally among his children, except for property that might have been gifted to his children separately. Witnessed by John Bradley, Robert Hendry Junior. [Both Bradley and Swilly signed by mark, indicating illiteracy.]
The “inventory of property” referred to in the deed included “Negro woman named Neppy [alt: Nippy], woman slave Sarah, dwelling house and plantation whereon I now reside, every article of household and kitchen furniture now on the said premises; also, all the plantation tools and farming utensils, waggon and gears; all the horses and the stock of cattle on the place consisting of [left blank] head; also the stock of hogs and ten head of sheep. It was specified that the cattle included all of his cattle in Liberty County except those that had been promised verbally to his children.
Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on October 9, 1817.
On May 21, 1817, Samuel Swilly, Liberty County, gifted to his son Carnick Swilly “a negro woman named Sarah, and the first child which she may have,” with the condition that his wife Sarah should have the use of “the said negro woman” during her natural life, and that the “succeeding issue of the said negro woman (if any) be equally divided among my other children; that is to say, Reason, Samuel, Lavinia, Celia Bradley and Lucy Terrell.” Witnessed by John Bradley, Robert Hendry Junior. [Both Bradley and Swilly signed by mark, indicating illiteracy.] Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on October 9, 1817.
On May 21, 1817, Samuel Swilly, Liberty County, gifted to his son Setliff Swilly “a negro girl named Bess, now in the possession of Eli Bradley, in whose possession she shall continue to be, until the said Setcliff may be married or arrive at the age of twenty one years.” Witnessed by John Bradley, Robert Hendry Junior. [Both Bradley and Swilly signed by mark, indicating illiteracy.] Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on October 9, 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. H-I 1816-1831,” Record Book H (1816-1822), p. 100-2. Image #80-1 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSYD-P?i=79&cat=292358)