They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Oswald/Stewart)

Enslaved People Named: Molly, Peggy, Lucy, Bristol, Cupid, Bristol, Bob, Jacob, Plymouth, Judy

On November 7, 1794, Liberty County Sheriff Henry Wood sold to Daniel Steuart [alt: Stewart] for $150 pounds  “the following Negroes to wit, wench Molly, do. [ditto] Peggy, do. Lucy, fellow Bristol, /sold runaway/ boy Cupid, do. Bristol, do. Bob, do. Jacob, do. Plymouth and Girl Judy.”  Sheriff Wood had seized these ten individuals based on a writ of fieri facias issued due to a lawsuit by James Spalding, “surviving copartner” against Ann Oswald, as executrix of Joseph Oswald.” They were said to be the property of Joseph Oswald, deceased. Wood put them up for public auction and Stewart was the highest bidder. Witnessed by James James, N. Bacon. James James probated the deed on April 11, 1797. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on April 11, 1797. 

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. C-D 1793-1801,” Record Book DD (1795-1798), p.100 . Image #239 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5BVS?i=238)