Augustus Williams presented his claim to the Southern Claims Commission in 1877 for $185 worth of property taken from him by U.S. troops when Sherman’s Army came to Liberty County, Georgia, in December 1864. At the time, Williams said, he was enslaved on the Goshen Plantation, that he was 43 years old, and had lived in Liberty County for 20 years. He testified that his slaveowner was Mrs. Robert Hines of Bryan County, who was deceased. Kilpatrick’s Cavalry, camped at McIntosh Station, took a roan mare, a milk cow, 3 bacon hogs, 30 head of poultry, and 30 bushels of rice. Augustus Williams stated that at the time of the claim in 1877, he was living at “Williams Ridge” in Liberty County.
For a full transcript of this claim, see: https://theyhadnames.net/2020/06/02/augustus-williams-southern-claims-commission/.
Newton Bacon, also previously enslaved, testified for Williams, saying he was 55 years old and had lived in Liberty County all his life, and had known Augustus Williams for 30 years of that time. He said he lived at the same place and saw him almost every day. George McConnell also testified. He said he was 57 years old, and had lived in Liberty County all his life and was a carpenter. He said he had known Augustus Williams all his life, but lived about 10 miles away from him, though he saw him about once a week.
The Claims Commission often asked for testimony by the former slaveowner of the claimant, or a relative, or another white person in good standing in the community, and was more likely to approve the claim if they got that testimony. In this case, it was Robert Hines, who testified that he was 66 years old and had lived in Liberty County all his life. He said that he had known Augustus Williams for 15-20 years and that he was “under my control about five years before the war.” He commented that Williams had been “hired” at his cousin’s place about 5 miles from him and that Williams “came home to his wife on my plantation about once a week.”
According to his Southern Claims Commission testimony, Augustus Williams was 43 in 1877, making his birth year around 1834, which matches the age recorded for him in the 1880 census. The 1870 census has an earlier birth year for him (1825), but birth years for African Americans often varied widely in the post-War Liberty County censuses.
Augustus testified for his SCC claim that his property was taken from his home on the “Mrs. Robert Hines” plantation, and Robert Charlton Hines, son of Charlton Hines, acted as witness for his claim. However, Robert Charlton Hines appears not to have been married at the time of the U.S. raid on Liberty County in 1864, and Hines’ testimony is worded oddly. He said that Augustus Williams was “under my control about five years before the war” and that Williams had been “hired” at his cousin’s place about 5 miles from him and that Williams “came home to his wife on my plantation about once a week.”
Based on probate records, it appears very likely that Augustus Wilson was actually enslaved by Charlton Hines’ brother Lewis Hines, who died in 1840. Hines had an extensive estate, and had property — enslaved people and land — in both Bryan County and in Liberty County. In Hines’ Bryan County estate inventory and division on January 19, 1841, Augustus, aged 6 and listed at the Bryan County Bellmont Plantation owned by Lewis Hines, fell to the lot of Mrs. Hines, apparently Lewis Hines’ wife Ann Maria Mann Hines (1806-1864). In one part of his testimony, Augustus Williams said that his slaveowner was Mrs. Hines of Bryan County, and in another part that the property was taken from “Mrs. Robert Hines” plantation in Liberty County. It is likely that Robert C. Hines acted, formally or informally, as manager for his aunt’s property at one point and therefore used the terminology that Augustus was under his “control.”
On February 11, 1859, Lewis Hines’ wife, Ann M. Hines, Bryan County, gifted to her children Edward H. and Carlin C. Hines, Liberty County, “the following described property to wit – one negro man named Edwin about twenty eight years of age also a fellow by the name of Augustus about twenty five years of age and a boy the name of Simon about twelve years of age, also one other boy named Anthony about ten years of age, and a girl named Daphney about ten years of age,” reserving to herself “the right for and during the term of my natural life to control and manage the working of said negroes as in my judgment and to the interest of said parties aforementioned as I may see fit and proper and most advantageous to said Estates and upon further conditions that the proceeds and income arising from the work and labor of said negroes is to be appropriated to the joint and mutual benefit support and maintenance of myself and my two sons as aforesaid mentioned.” In his 1840 will, Lewis Hines had specified that his wife could give his children their share of his property whenever she saw fit.
Hines had left both his “summer residence called and known as Belmont” and the enslaved people he had acquired through his previous marriage with Mary Jane Pray Sleigh to his son with her, John Pray Hines. Since Augustus was inherited by the current Mrs. Hines, this probably indicates that he did not originally come with that previous marriage.
It is noteworthy that an 1896 deed record to be discussed later revealed that Augustus had a brother named Jack Williams. In the 1841 inventory and division of Lewis Hines’ estate, Augustus, age 6, is listed above a 4-year-old named Jack, and below a 27-year-old woman named Betsey. Given that the enslaved people in this inventory appeared to be listed in family order, it is very possible that Betsey was their mother. Betsey was drawn by Thomas Hines. Jack was drawn in an 1855 estate division by Ann Hines’ son Edward H. Hines, which may explain why Mrs. Hines gifted Augustus to Edward in 1859. In the 1850 slave schedule for Bryan County, Thomas A. Hines was listed as owning a 35-year-old enslaved woman, likely Betsey; in the 1850 census, Thomas was still living with his mother and siblings, including Edward, in Bryan County, so Betsey, Augustus and Jack were likely still together at that time. In 1860, Edward was still living with his mother near Way Station in Bryan County, and Thomas was also living in Bryan County.
Since Edward was a minor in 1859 when Ann Hines gifted Augustus to him, and women normally had a trustee managing their affairs, it is very possible that nephew Robert Hines played a role in this, and that Augustus might have been hired out at times. The Southern Claims Commission testimony noted that Augustus visited his wife on Robert Hines’ plantation once a week. A page in the claim also stated that the property had been taken at the Goshen Plantation; while not clear whether this was the same plantation, there was a Goshen Plantation in Liberty County owned by Mrs. Lydia Quarterman.
In the 1870 census, Augustus, also known as Gus, was living with wife Judy in Liberty County. They had with them three children: Harriet (19), Cilla (17), and Fay (also spelled Phay) (12). Gus was farming, and they lived next to his brother Jack and his wife Daphney, and near Newton Bacon, who testified for him in his SCC claim. Common African-American surnames nearby were also Pray, Hines, Holmes, and Baker.
In the 1880 census, Gus and wife Judy were still living near Newton Bacon, with son Phay (19) and his wife Lucy (23), as well as Scilla (23) Willis and Harriet Hines (25), who were both listed as stepdaughters, so it appears they may have been Judy’s children (or possibly that was a mistake by the census taker). Also listed is granddaughter Georgia Williams (2), listed under Scilla’s name. Jack and Daphney Williams are still nearby, with daughters Rebecca (10) and Ann (8) and sons Augustus (5) and possible Moultrie (3). Samson Gaulden (15) and Prince Pray (8), listed as Jack’s nephews, are also in Jack’s household.
On January 1, 1871, Gus Williams bought 23 acres of land from Thomas Q. Cassels of Liberty County, a white man, for $108. The land was bounded on the north by land owned by Thomas Q. Cassels and Miss Lizzie Martin, east by E. Stacy, south by the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad, and west by Thomas Q. Cassels. In February 1877, Gus put that land into a trust for his wife and son to be managed by [brother] Jack Williams, “in consideration of the natural love and affection which he the said Augustus Williams has and bears to his wife Judy Williams and his child Fay Lewis Williams.” In October 1896, Gus gave his nephew, Augustus Williams, Jack’s son, a little over an acre of that land, cut out from the northeast corner of it. Augustus Jr. (as he was referred to) and his wife Flora sold that land to the Savannah Lumber Company for $15 in 1911.
Even as a landowner, though, Gus had to borrow money at least once against his year’s crop of rice, corn, and cotton. In May 1885, he mortgaged the crop plus an ox to Robert Q. Cassels for $10 worth of groceries, a common transaction for Cassels at the time. The loan was recorded at the Liberty County Courthouse and was to be repaid with 8 per cent interest by that October.
Gus evidently had a prominent position within the community. In December 1876, he, Henry Bacon, and William Maxwell, acting as trustees of the African Methodist Society, bought a plot of land known as the Hutchinson Church lot. It had belonged to the “Flemington Church and Society,” with Thomas Q. Cassels and Ezra Stacy acting as the “surviving trustees” under a deed of trust previously made to them by Henry M. Stevens for this lot, as well as James B. Fraser, representing the Flemington Church and Society [presumably the Flemington Presbyterian Church]. It was described as being adjacent to the Atlantic & Gulf Raidroad’s McIntosh Station, location of the Hutchinson Church, and bounded south by the old Sunbury Public road and on all other sides by the S.A. Fraser estate.
Unfortunately, no records were found for Gus or Judy after the 1896 deed.
Records for Augustus Williams
1870 census
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 176, p. 23, dwelling #149, family #150, enumerated on November 18, 1870, by John E. Martin, Gus Williams, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7163/4263491_00311/3595768: accessed 6/1/2020).
1880 census
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Dictrict 19, enumeration district 67, p. 11, dwelling #98, family #99, Augustus Williams; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6742/4240148-00410/8767599: accessed 6/1/2020).
Augustus Williams buys 23 acres from Thomas Q. Cassels, 1871
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. Q 1870-1874,” p. 192, Thomas Q. Cassels to Augustus Williams (“col’d”), January 1, 1871; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. Q 1870-1874” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #126, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-59MJ-5?i=125&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Augustus Williams executes deed of trust, 1877
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. S 1877-1882,” p. 745, Augustus Williams to Jack Williams, February 24, 1877; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. S 1877-1882” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #417, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSLY-6?i=416&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Augustus Williams gives land to his nephew, 1896
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AC 1896-1898,” p. 179, Augustus Williams to Augustus Williams Jr, October 23, 1896; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AC 1896-1898” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #105, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5S7P-1?i=104&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Augustus (Jr) and Flora Williams sell the land to lumber company
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AL 1911-1912,” p. 90, Augustus and Flora Williams to Savannah Lumber Company, 1911; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AL 1911-1912” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #446, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5S62-R?i=445&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Augustus Williams borrows money from Robert Q. Cassels, 1885
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. U 1884-1885,” p. 567, Robert Q. Cassels from Augustus Williams (“col’d”), 1885; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. U 1884-1885” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #567, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R982-P?i=566&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Hutchinson Church deed, 1876
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. S 1877-1882,” p. 168-9, Thomas Q. Cassels, Ezra Stacy, James B. Fraser to Augustus Williams, Henry Bacon, and William Maxwell, 1876; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. S 1877-1882” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #118, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSVX-Y?i=117&cat=292358, accessed 6/1/2020)
Slaveholder Records
Lewis Hines dying in 1840
Find A Grave Index, Memorial ID 22688361 (created by Debbie), Lewis Hines, death 1840, Todds Cemetery, Fort Stewart, Liberty County, Georgia; digital image: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22688361, no photo of tombstone.
Lewis Hines 1840 will
Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Records Book B, p. 283-4, Will of Lewis Hines; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Appraisements, bonds, and wills Vol. B 1823-1850,” image #582. (Accessed digitally at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GCSN?i=581&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901&cc=1999178). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net
(https://theyhadnames.net/2018/06/08/liberty-county-will-lewis-hines/)
Lewis Hines inventory/division records:
1841: Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Records Book B, p. 285-6, Estate Appraisement of Lewis Hines, 1841; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Appraisements, bonds, and wills Vol. B 1823-1850,” image #583. (Accessed digitally at: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GC4N?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/08/25/bryan-county-estate-inventory-lewis-hines/)
1847: Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Records Book B, p. 422-3, Estate Appraisement and Division of Lewis Hines, 1847; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Appraisements, bonds, and wills Vol. B 1823-1850,” image #651-2. (Accessed digitally at: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GHG3?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2018/09/30/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-lewis-hines/)
1854 estate division: Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Records Book C, p. 160-1, Estate Appraisement and Division of Lewis Hines, 1855; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L” image #115. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93T-XB77?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/09/21/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-lewis-hines-2/)
1855 estate division: Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Records Book C, p. 215-6, Estate Appraisement and Division of Lewis Hines, 1855; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L” image #143. (Accessed digitally at: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93T-XB47?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/10/15/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-lewis-hines-3/)
Ann Hines gifting Augustus to Edward
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v.O 1854-1860,” p. 489, Ann M. Hines to children Edward H. and Carlin C.; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. O 1854-1860” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #294, (Accessed digitally at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSP7-P?i=293&cat=292358). Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/06/03/deed-of-gift-hines/, accessed 6/1/2020)
1850 Slave Schedule for Thomas Hines
1850 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules: Georgia -> Bryan -> District 19, Bryan County, enumerated 31st day of August 1850, Benjamin Hines/James Hines/Lewis Hines/Thomas A. Hines/Ann M. Hines/Georgia C. Hines/Mary Hines/Uerpa Hines; digital image, FamilySearch.org, https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8055/GAM432_88-0192/2115936, access 6/1/2020)
1850 Bryan County census for Ann, Edward, etc, Hines
1850 U.S. Federal Census, Bryan County, Georgia, population Scheule. enumerated 4th day of September 1850; Ann Hines listed with children Benjamin, Lewis, Thomas A., Georgia, May, Euterpe, Victoria, Edward, Caroline C. Image #18.
1860 Bryan County census for Thomas & Mary Hines
1860 U.S. Census, Bryan County, Georgia, population schedule, p. 38, dwelling #253, enumerated on July 29, 1860, Thomas & Mary Hines, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 6/2/2020).