Enslaved People Named: Ben, Jim, Lucy, January
On January 8, 1842, Solomon Smith, Bryan County, executor of the last will and testament of Godhilf Smith, sold at public auction “the following Negroes, viz, Ben, Jim, Lucy and January, belonging to the heirs of David Smith.” The sale was based on permission from the Bryan County Court of Ordinary for the purpose of dividing the proceeds among the heirs of David Smith. The highest bidders for Ben were Eleanor E.C. Smith and Jeremiah Smith at $260. He was said to be about 50 years old.
Eleanor E.C. Smith, in her capacity as the guardian for Eliza and Mary Ann Smith, was the highest bidder for the “negro girl Lucy,” said to be about 15 years old, at $400.
Israel Smith, Wm [William] H. Smith and Jacob Smith together were the highest bidders for Jim at $505. Jim was said to be about 17 years old.
The above were three separate deeds of conveyance (sale). January’s fate was not revealed.
Bryan County, Georgia, Deeds & Mortgages, v. E-G 1830-1853, Book F (1840-46), page 79-82; digitized microfilm accessed through catalog, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-VSLK-N : 7 Sep 2024), image 289-91 of 682; microfilm #007899047, citing original records of Bryan County Superior Court.