They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Marriage Contract (Field/Bennet)

Enslaved People Named: March, Ellick, Susy, Nancy, Lucy, Lucy, Maria, Binah, Abner, Phebe, Billy, Sukey

On January 28, 1818, Jedidiah Field, planter of Liberty County, and Sarah Bennet, spinster of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract. They agreed that all of her property should be for their joint use during Sarah’s lifetime, and to her heirs after her death. The property named was “the following negro slaves, with the increase of the females, namely March, Ellick, Susy and her child Nancy, Lucy, Lucy, Maria, Binah, Abner, Phebe, Billy and Sukey.” Also included were unspecified tracts of land and parts of tracts in Liberty County. Jedidiah Field retained the right to sell any of “the property,” with Sarah’s permission. Witnessed by Matthew Bennet, William Fraser, Jesse Ham.  Sarah Bennet signed her name “Sarah O. Bennet.” Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on February 7, 1818. 

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. 116-7. Image #86 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSYF-J?i=85&cat=292358)