Location: Liberty County, Georgia
Deceased: Lauretta Martin
Date Sworn: 1846-01-08
Appraisers: Thos. [Thomas] Q. Cassells [also spelled Cassels], W.E.W. Quarterman, Jno. [John] W. Stacy
Estate Executor: Wm. [William] G. Martin
Court Officer: S.A. Fraser, J.J.C.
Date Recorded: 1846-03-21
Recording Official: J.S. Bradwell, Clerk
Total Value of Property Appraised: $4877.98
Value of enslaved persons: $3800.00
Comments: Lot #1 drawn by Mr. D. B. M. Sheppard “in right of his wife Mrs. Mary Sheppard” and lot #2 to Mr. John E. Man “in right of his wife Mrs. Elizabeth Man.” [Comment: In the marriage contract between D.B.M. Sheppard and Mary J. Martin, daughter of Mrs. Lauretta Martin, it was stated that M.M. Martin was Mary’s deceased brother. According to baptism records, Lauretta and Alexander Martin had a son named Murdock Murphy Martin, so this is likely his estate inventory.]
| Enslaved Person Named | Value | Desc. | Lot # |
| Sam | 650 | Yellow | 1 |
| Sam | 550 | Black | 1 |
| Neger | 550 | or Niger | 2 |
| Die | 500 | 2 | |
| Bess | 500 | 1 | |
| Shadrach | 400 | or Shadrick | 2 |
| Jim | 350 | 1 | |
| Mary | 125 | 2 | |
| Pompey | 75 | 1 | |
| Bob | 100 | Old | 2 |
Find the digitized original at: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GHPL?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 636 of 689.
These antebellum estate inventories and appraisals generally included all the deceased person’s “property,” including enslaved persons. Only those names are documented here for historical and genealogical purposes. Anyone interested in the actual property owned by the deceased may find it at the link at the bottom of the page. Names are listed in the original order, as this often gives very valuable information about family groupings or the age of children (who may be listed in age order).