They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Bryan County Deed of Gift (Futch/Futch)

Enslaved People Named: Chavus, Nelly, Patience, Handy, Nelson

On an unstated date in Bryan County, Onesimus O. Futch gifted to his son Jesse Futch “a negro boy named Chavus.” Witnessed by Jacob Robertson (who signed by mark, indicating illiteracy) and Nathaniel Bacon, J.P.

On an unstated date in Bryan County, Onesimus Futch gifted to his daughter Judith Futch “the following negroes to wit Nelly, Patience and Handy.” Witnessed by Jacob Robertson (who signed by mark, indicating illiteracy).

On an unstated date in Bryan County, Onesimus Futch gifted to his son Joshua Futch “a certain negro boy named Nelson.” Witnessed by Jacob Robertson (who signed by mark, indicating illiteracy).

Onesimus O. Futch signed each deed by mark, indicating illiteracy.

Recorded in Bryan County Superior Court on April 29, 1836.

[NOTE: Unfortunately these records were not dated, other than the date it was recorded in the Superior Court Clerk’s office. All three were recorded together and were witnessed by the same man and the same Justice of the Peace. Deed records could be recorded years after the original date of the record.]

Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. E-G 1830-1853, Book E (1830-40), page 214-5; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-VSGJ-N : 16 Jul 2024), image 115-6 of 682; microfilm #007899047, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.