Enslaved People Named: Esther [alt: Ester, Easter]
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State of Georgia, Bryan County } I John Wright of the State and County aforesaid do solemnly swear that I will stand to the verdict of Stephen Denmark, William Poole, Matthew Carter & William Mase in a certain Case between John Wright of the one part and John Dukes of the other in a certain Cause respecting a certain Negroe girl named Esther.
[Signed by mark] John Wright
The above sworn to before me this 19th December 1795.
John Albritton J.P.
State of Georgia, Bryan County } I John Dukes of the State and County aforesaid do solemnly swear that I will stand to the verdict of Stephen Denmark, William Poole, Matthew Carter & William Mase in a certain Case between John Wright of the one part and John Dukes of the other in a certain Cause respecting a certain Negroe girl named Esther.
John Dukes
The above sworn to before me this 19th December 1795.
John Albritton J.P.
Recorded [in Bryan County Superior Court] on November 19, 1797.
State of Georgia, Bryan County } Personally appeared before Jesse McCall one of the justices signed to keep the peace of said County. Shederick McGee who being duly sworn on the holy evengelist of almight God saith that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety three and on the third day of August he the said Shaderick McGee did in the presents [presence] of Jacob Ihily give and bequeath unto his daughter Anne McGee then but now Ann Dukes to her only use and behoof a certain Negroe girl named Esther about six years old.
Shadereck McGee [signed by mark]
The above sworn to before me this 17th day of November 1795
Jesse McCall J.P.
State of Georgia, Effingham County } Personally appeared before me John G. Neidlinger Clerk of the Superior Court of sd County the above named Jacob Ihly who being duly sworn maketh oath & saith that he was (by particular request of the above named Shadrick McGee) present & saw the above named Negroe Girl named Ester given & delivered, by the above named Shadrick MCGee to the above named Anne McGee now Ann Dukes to her only Use & behoof, sometime in the month of August in the Year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety three.
Jacob Ihly
Sworn to this 24th Nov’r 1795 before me
Jno. G. Neidlinger C.S.C.C.C.
Recorded this 29th Nov’r 1797
We the arbitrators do agree in our Vardick [verdict] and say that John Dukes is to have the negro girl Easter [sic] now in dispute and the said John Dukes to pay unto John Wright five likely young cows and calves to be paid by the first day of June next.
Given under our hands this 19th December 1795
Stephen Denmark
William Pool
Matta. Carter
William Mace
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Probated by Bryant Lane.
[NOTE: Spelling of names varied throughout the above documents and are transcribed as seen.]
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. A-D 1796-1829, Book A (1796-1799), page 64-6; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-K38B : 15 May 2024), image 62-4 of 600; microfilm #007899046, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.