They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bryan County Bill of Sale (Bradley/Bird)

Enslaved People Named: Dick, Benjamin

On December 14, 1829, John Bradley, Liberty County, sold to Sarah Bird, Bryan County, for $335 “a Negro boy named Dick which we suppose to be thirteen years of age which payment is in full for said boy.” Witnessed by Enoch Daniel, James N Bird. James N. Bird probated the signature on May 29, 1832. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on May 31, 1832.

On May 23, 1832, John Bradley, Liberty County, sold to Israel Bird, Bryan County, for $325 “a negro boy named Benjamin which we suppose to be ten years of age, which payment is in full for said boy.” Witnessed by Sarah Bird, James N. Bird. James N. Bird probated the signature on May 29, 1832. Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on May 31, 1832.

[Both deed records were recorded together on the same date and probated by the same person on the same day. Probably the earlier one was brought to be recorded when the later one was done. John Bradley signed both “by mark,” indicating illiteracy.]

Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. E-G 1830-1853, Book E (1830-40), page 81-2; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-VSK3-9 : 8 Jul 2024), image 48 of 682; microfilm #007899047, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.