They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bryan County Chattel Mortgage (Wells/Clark)

Enslaved People Named: Simon, Amelia

On February 18, 1861, John V. Wells, Bryan County, used as collateral on a promissory note to Richard Clark, Bryan County, for $400 “the following property, to wit: Two Negroes, one negro man named Simon of dark complexion twenty years of age about five feet high sound and well, and one negro girl named Amelia of yellow complexion about fifteen years of age, about four feet six inches high sound and well.” Witnessed by Thomas E. Bourquine. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on March 10, 1861.

Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. v. H-J 1853-1874, Book I (1860-1869), page 42-3; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-197L-M : 6 May 2025), image 338 of 682; microfilm #007899047, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.