Enslaved People Named: None
On August 22, 1805, Susanna Mann, “daughter of Luke Mann esquire formerly of Bryan County spinster” and Samuel Lewis, “gentleman” of Liberty County, entered into a marriage settlement with John Pray of Bryan County and Joseph Jones as her trustees. As Susannah was “seized and possessed or of interested in or well and sufficiently entitled unto an estate consisting of lands & other personal estate & by virtue of the last will & testament of her deceased father Luke Mann in the state,” it was agreed to convey all of her property to the estate. When her father’s estate was divided, her portion was to be listed and annexed to the deed of marriage settlement. The “property” was to be for the use of Susannah and Samuel during their natural lives and then in trust for any child they might have to be equally divided among them. If no children, then the survivor was to take possession. They could also change the terms of the deed of settlement upon written application to the trustees with two witnesses. Witnessed by W.A. Dunham. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on October 10, 1805.
[NOTE: Although no list of property was attached to the above deed and none was described within the deed, reference was made twice to “increase” of the property, which normally referred to enslaved people’s children.]
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. A-D 1796-1829, Book B (1799-1807), page 194-5; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSKK : 25 May 2024), image 218-9 of 600; microfilm #007899046, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.