Enslaved People Named: Lucy, Tom
On January 1, 1852, the estate of the late John G. Butler of Chatham County was distributed, according to records found in Bryan County. The estate totaled $596.33. Ann G. Butler, administrator, received one third of the estate, and gave it to John G. Butler’s son, John G. Butler as a gift. John G. Butler acknowledged receipt of his own part, which consisted of “a negro woman Lucy valued at $2.00 and each $192.67 cents from No 3 and from No 2 the sum of $3.67 cents.” [NOTE: This likely means that the estate was divided into three lots, which should have been equal but were not, so John G. Butler drew lot #1, consisting of Lucy, and the other heirs had to pay him to make the lots equal. Ann G. Butler appears to have given him her entire share, consisting of $192.67.] John G. Butler signed by mark, indicating illiteracy.
A.J. Butler acknowledged receipt of his share, which consisted of “negro man Tom valued at $600, out of which I am to pay to Lot No 1 the sum of $3.67 and which has been allotted to me this day as one of the heirs of said Jno. G. Butler dec’d by commissioners appointed for that purpose.”
Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on March 29, 1852.
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. E-G 1830-1853, Book G (1846-53), page 280-2; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-VSKK-9 : 22 Jan 2025), image 638-9 of 682; microfilm #007899047, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.