They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bill of Sale (Shepherd/Shepherd)

Enslaved People Named: Primus, Phoebe, Silvia, Peter

On July 25, 1791, Liberty County Sheriff Lachlan McIntosh sold to Mary Shepherd for 179 pounds “four Negro Slaves, named Primus, Phoebe, Silvia, and Peter.” The deed specified that 30 pounds were paid for Primus, 30 pounds for Phoebe, 32 pounds for Silvia, and 25 pounds for Peter. Sheriff McIntosh had seized them based on writs of fieri facias issued due to lawsuits by John Baker, surviving copartner of Baker & Troup, John Couper and Company, and James Gregorie against Mary Shepherd in her capacity as administratrix of William Shepherd, deceased. The sheriff put them up for public sale, and Mary Shepherd was the highest bidder. She also purchased at the same time a female colt for 2 pounds, a female colt for 5 pounds, a female colt for 6 pounds, 33 head of cattle for 33 pounds, plantation tools and a plough, a small gun, three plantation guns, a trunk, chest and two cases, a set of crocker ware, a pair of cards and mugg, two beds, bedding, furniture, kitchen items, and other minor items. Witnessed by Alexander Forrester. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on October 26, 1796. 

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. 72. Image #210 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-51QW?i=209)