They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Cassels/Ham)

Enslaved People Named: John, Pharaoh

On March 8, 1822, Andrew F. Fraser gave his friend William H. Cassels, both of Liberty County, power of attorney “to sell and deliver to any person or persons one negro man named John, and another named Pharoah.” Witnessed by John Johnston. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on March 28, 1822. 

On March 20, 1822, William H. Cassels, acting as attorney in fact for Andrew F. Fraser, sold to Jesse Ham for $612.50 “two certain male slaves named John & Pharaoh, the property of said Fraser.” Witnessed by John Stewart, U. Wilcox. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on March 28, 1822. 

This action appears to have resulted from a judgment against Andrew F. Fraser in a suit brought by William Robarts representing Robarts & Carter for nonpayment of a debt. The case was marked “Levy’d on John & Pharoah this the 6th March 1822” by the Liberty County Sheriff. 

Sources: 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. 456-7. Image #261 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSRV-Y?i=260&cat=292358)

Loose Papers in folders by surname, Liberty County Court of Ordinary, 1822 court case between William Robarts and Andrew F. Fraser; digitized images with typewritten indexes, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QW-YF54 : accessed 3 July 2023), “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 -> Liberty -> Estates 1775-1892 Fraser, Andrew-Goulding, Palmer, image 14 of 1211.