On January 7, 1818, Louisa F. Alexander, widow of Sunbury, Liberty County, Georgia, leased to William Ward, planter of the same place, for four years “the following negroes, viz, Harry, Rose, Redriff, August, Jim, Hezzy, Barrack [alt: Barack], Lucinda, Julia, Dick, Beck, Sally, Sandy, Gabo, Mentor, Fanny, Sambo, Jack, Hector, Jemima, Jacob, Jack, Luck [or Suck], Lina [or Sina], Derry, Rina [alt: Rhina], Rachel, DIck, Cuffee [alt: Cuffy], Phoebe [alt: Phebe], Adam, Holly, Harry, Ben, Jim, Dinah, August, Cupid, Leah and Rose; together with the following house-servants during the absence of the said Louisa F. Alexander from Sunbury, provided the same shall not exceed the aforesaid term of four years, viz. Charles, Backey [Becky?], Kate, Jenny, Nancy and China; and doth hereby lease unto him the said William Ward her plantation near Riceborough, whereon the aforesaid negroes now reside, for the said term of four years.” He was to pay annually $2000 on the first Monday in March, starting in 1819. He was also to return the same amount of provisions as he was to find on the plantation whne he took possession, and all the plantation tools in the same condition as when he took possession of them. He was to feed and clothe “the said negroes,” and pay for their medical care, outside of the $2000 rent. If either Alexander or Ward were to die, the agreement would cease as of the end of that year. At the end of the contract, Ward was to “make a quiet and peaceable surrender of the negroes & premises…without giving her any trouble in acquiring the possession thereof.” Witnessed by Charles West, Samuel S. Law. Charles West probated the signatures on April 1, 1818. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on April 15, 1818.
Source: Liberty County, Georgia, Deeds and Mortgages, 1816-1822, Book H, page 135-6; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSY7-D : accessed 15 May 2023), Family History Library microfilm 007899015, images 97-8 of 548, item 1 of 2; citing original records of Liberty County Superior Court, Georgia.