Enslaved People Named: Will, Bess
On February 12, 1818, Cornelius M. Williams, planter of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract with Miss Mary Thorpe, naming Cornelius Williams, Liberty County, and Charles Thorpe, McIntosh County, as her trustees. As part of the contract, Cornelius M. Williams put “two certain negro slaves, named Bess and Will, and also Bess’s child, if any she has (which said negro slaves are now in the County of McIntosh aforesaid)” as well any property she was to become possessed of in the future, into trust for her. Witnessed by William Dunham, James Corker, John S. Carroll. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on February 23, 1818. [NOTE: Marked on this deed was “see probate in Book I, page 12.” That reference contained William Dunham’s probate of this deed, dated September 13, 1822. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on October 17, 1822. See: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSRV-L?i=303&cat=292358]
Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831,” Record Book H (1816-1822), p. 126. Image #91 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSYC-2?i=90&cat=292358)