Enslaved People Named: January, Jamaica, Paris, Couper, Casar [alt: Casear, Ceasar], Jack, Cretia, Moll, Cake Hagar, Affy, Bella, Nancy [or Naney], Lizzy
On November 29, 1802, Elizabeth Ward, “spinster” of Savannah, and Morris Miller, attorney of Savannah, entered into a marriage settlement, with John Peter Ward, Benjamin Ward, planters, and Dr. Peter Ward, as her trustees. Because Elizabeth Ward was “entitled in her own right and as of her own private estate and property to certain negros,” the following people were put into the trust: “all those slaves herein after mentioned to wit, January, Jamaica, Paris, Couper, Casar [alt: Casear, Ceasar], Jack, Cretia, Moll, Cake Hagar, Affy, Bella, Nancy [or Naney] and Lizzy together with all future issue and increase of the female slaves.” [NOTE: “Cake Hagar” seems odd, but there was no comma between the two words and the word looked like Cake. Possibly another name, like Cate?]
They were to be used for Elizabeth Ward’s benefit alone until the marriage took place, after which both Morris Miller and Elizabeth Ward were to receive the “issues profits income and yearly crops of the said negros and of the future issue of the female slaves” during their joint natural lives. This, however, was not to be subject to any debts of Morris Miller, but if there were such debts, then the “whole crops, profits and increase of the said negros” were to be only for the benefit of Elizabeth Ward and her children. If Morris Miller survived her, they were to be for his use during his life, and after his death were to go to any surviving children or, if none, to his heirs. Witnessed by Charles Harris and Catherine Harris. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on April 4, 1809.
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. A-D 1796-1829, Book C (1807-1815), page 89-91; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KS8B : 26 May 2024), image 310-11 of 600; microfilm #007899046, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.