They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Colonial Will – Richard Burtley

Parish: St. JohnEnslaved Persons Mentioned: NoneSlaveholder: Burtley, RichardDate: 1771-10-16 [Begin transcription]In the name of God Amen. I Richard Burtley of the parish of St Johns in the province of Georgia do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following Viz. I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God from whence […]

Colonial Will – Joseph Way

Parish: St. JohnEnslaved Persons Mentioned: Cudjo [alt: Cudjoe], Dinah, Prime, Isaac, Big TomSlaveholder: Way, JosephDate: 1766-03-05 [Begin transcription]In the Name of God Amen. I Joseph Way of St. John’s Parish and Province aforesaid, being in a weak and low state of body, but of Sound Mind and Memory, do Make and Ordain this my last […]

Colonial Will – Edward Way

Parish: St. JohnEnslaved Persons Mentioned: Pattey [alt: Patty]Slaveholder: Way, EdwardDate: 1762-07-02 [Begin transcription]In the Name of God Amen. I Edward Way of the Parish of St John in Georgia, Planter, being weak in body but of perfect mind and bearing in mind the mortality of my body and that it is appointed for all men […]

Colonial Will – John Todd

Parish: MidwayEnslaved Persons Mentioned: Ben, Cudgo [Alt: Cudjo, Cudjoe]Slaveholder: Todd, JohnDate: 1756-07-02 [Begin transcription]In the Name of God Amen the Second Day of July 1756. I John Todd of the Coloney [sic] of Georgia and district of Midway Planter, being very weak in Body, but of perfect Mind and Memory, thanks be given to God; […]

Colonial Will – John Stewart

Parish: St. JohnEnslaved Persons Mentioned: Bob, Peg, LeahSlaveholder: Stewart, JohnDate: 1776-03-DD [Begin transcription]In the Name of God amen. I John Stewart of the Parish of St. John and Province of Georgia Planter, being [paper torn] Bodily Health, but of sound Mind and Memory, calling to Mind my Mortality, and knowing that it is appointed for […]

Colonial Will – John Stewart (Stewert)

Parish: St. JohnEnslaved Persons Mentioned: Bernice, Billy, Little Abram, CuffeeSlaveholder: Stewart, JohnDate: 1765-09-04 [Begin transcription]In the Name of God Amen I John Stewart of St. John’s Parish and Province of Georgia Planter being sick and weak of Body but of Sound Mind and Memory: calling to mind my Mortality and knowing that this appointed for […]

Colonial Will – Mary Spry

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Sandy, Cain [alt: Cane], Lymas [alt: Lymus], Nan, Feliss [Alt: Phyllis] Slaveholder: Spry, Mary Date: 1771-12-27 [Begin transcription] In the Name of God Amen. I Mary Spry Widow of St. Johns Parish in the Province of Georgia, being Infirm and Weak in Body, Tho of Sound Mind and Memory […]

Colonial Will – William Simpson

Parish: not specified Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Kate Slaveholder: Simpson, William Date: 1766-11-04 [Begin Transcription] In the name of God Amen I William Simpson Chief Justice of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia in North America, being of good health and of sound and perfect mind and memory /blessed be God/ do this Fourth day of November […]

Colonial Will – William Simpson

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Jack, Peter, Cuffee [alt: Cuffy], Willibey [alt: Willoughby, Willowby, Willowby], Jane, Nelly, Affe [alt: Affy, Affee], Dian [alt: Diana, Dianna], Venus Slaveholder: Simpson, William Date: 1772-03-21 [Begin transcription] In the name of God Amen. I William Simpson of the Parish of Saint John in the Province of Georgia Planter, […]

Colonial Will – John Quarterman

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Moll, Cate, Jammey, Lindey [alt: Lindy] Slaveholder: Quarterman, John Date: 1763-06-25 [Begin transcription] In the name Of God Amen. I John Quarterman of St. John’s Parish, planter/and of the Province of Georgia/being weak of body, but of perfect mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my […]