They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Smylie/Ham)

Enslaved People Named: Will

On March 4, 1822, James Smylie Junior sold to Jesse Ham, Liberty County, for $600 “a certain negro man slave named Will, about eighteen years old.” Witnessed by Uriah Wilcox. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on March 11, 1822. 

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. 452. Image #259 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSRB-G?i=258&cat=292358)