Enslaved People Named: Albert, Jane
On March 7, 1853, in Chatham County, Henrietta S. Rogers, widow of David M. Rogers, relinquished to his sister Seamour A. Harden, wife of Dr. William S. Harden of Bryan County, his interest (now Henrietta’s) in their father Dr. Charles W. Rogers’ legacy to Seamour. Dr. Charles W. Rogers’s will had left to his wife, Mrs. Anna W. Rogers, during her lifetime the use of his summer residence in Bryan County known as Republican Hall and the adjoining land known as ? Wawpee ?, as well as the use of any of “his house servants she might desire.” At her death, this property was to fall into the residue of his estate. Dr. Rogers’ will had also left the dividends and interest on $15,000 in bank stock to his daughter, Seamour A. Harden, during her lifetime, and at her death, to fall to the residue of his estate. Dr. Rogers had appointed his son David M. Rogers as his residuary legatee and devisee. [NOTE: those terms apparently mean that David would inherit all of that property after Seamour’s and Anna’s deaths when it came back into Dr. Rogers’ estate.]
Henrietta S. Rogers noted that David M. Rogers had intended to relinquish his interest in this residual estate to his sister Seamour but this had been prevented by his death. She therefore performed this action on his behalf and gave to Seamour David’s (now hers) residual interest in all the property listed above, adding that the “house servants” involved were named Albert and Jane and were currently at the residence of Anna W. Rogers and Seamour A. Harden at their residence at Republican Hall. Seamour would thus inherit the land and enslaved people after Anna’s death.
[NOTE: It was noted that Seamour’s was “Seamour A. Lane, now Harden.” According to the 1850 census, Ann W. Rogers was living with Semor A. Lane and probably her son Charles A. Lane. ]
Witnessed by C.W. Rogers. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on May 15, 1854.
[NOTE: This action apparently was designed to ensure that all the property would go into Seamour’s estate at her death so could be left to her heirs.]
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-J 1853-1874, Book H (1853-1860), page 70-2; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-1974-L : 30 Jan 2025), image 41-2 of 715; microfilm #008188937, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.