They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Colonial Will – William Dunham

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Silvia Slaveholder: Dunham, William Date: 1769-12-22 [Begin transcription] In the Name of God Amen. I William Dunham of St. Johns Parish in the province aforesaid Planter being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory thanks be unto Almighty God and considering that it is appointed […]

Colonial Will – Andrew Darling

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Harriott [Alt: Harriet], Tenoy Slaveholder: Darling, Andrew Date: 1767-03-25 [Begin transcription] In the name of God Amen. I Andrew Darling, Merchant of Sunbury in Saint John’s Parish and Province of Georgia, being in middling health of body, and of sound mind and memory; but calling to mind my mortality, […]

Colonial Will – Joseph Butler

Parish: Newport Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Bob, Lizie [Alt: Lizzie], Prince, Little Sharper, Lucey [Alt: Lucy], Peggey [Alt: Peggy], Clarence, Silvey [alt: Silvy], Mark, Sarah, Nanney [Alt: Nanny], Peter, Daniel, John, Jacob, Moses, Rachel, Ben, Betty, Sweepstekes [Alt: Sweepstakes], Salley [Alt: Sally], Angola Jack, Dick, York, Seley [alt: Celie], Mondingo [alt: Mandingo, Mandinka] Jack, Rodey Slaveholder: […]

Colonial Will – Samuel Burnley

Parish: St. John (Sunbury) Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Willoby [Alt: Willoughby], George, Lucy, Jean, Rose, Gershorn Slaveholder: Burnley, Samuel Date: 1767-08-17 [Begin transcription] Georgia St. John’s Parish In the name of God Amen: I Samuel Burnley, being in a low estate of body, but of sound mind and memory, calling to mind my mortality and knowing […]

Colonial Will – Hannah Bradwell

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Sibby, Bess, Balam [alt: Balaam] Slaveholder: Bradwell, Hannah Date: 1775-07-22 [NOTE: Archaic spellings standardized to today’s spellings where it cannot affect the meaning.] [Begin transcription] In the Name of God Amen. I Hannah Bradwell of Saint John parish in the province of Georgia being of sound memory and understanding, […]

Colonial Will – Kenneth Baillie

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Hesther [Alt: Hester], Cuff [alt: Cuffee], Joe, January, Cloe [Alt: Chloe], Doll Slaveholder: Baillie, Kenneth Date: 1766-07-07 [NOTE: Archaic spellings standardized to today’s spellings where it cannot affect the meaning.] [Begin transcription] In the name of God Amen. I Kenneth Baillie of the Parish of St. John, Province of […]

Colonial Will – Joseph Bacon

Parish: St. John Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Tirah, Nars [alt: Naro, Nero?], Will, Caine, Rose, Nanny, Peter, Bellow, Jane, Toney [alt: Tony] Slaveholder: Bacon, Joseph Date: 1764-07-09 [Begin transcription] In the name of God, Amen. I Joseph Bacon of the Parish of St. Johns and province of Georgia being weak in body, but of perfect mind […]

Colonial Will – Robert Adams

Parish: St. Andrew Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Abram, Chloe, Betty, Delia, Joe, Dick, Isaac, Satyra [Satira, Sativa], Emey [Alt: Emmy], Quibus, Teena [Alt: Tina], Judy, Katey [Alt: Katie, Katy], Phobe [Alt: Phoebe], Guy, Guy, Mamello, Mamello, Jacob, Minnerva [alt: Minerva], Slaveholder: Adams, Robert Signed: 1775-01-19 Probated: 1775-01-31 [NOTE: First two and last paragraph summarized, middle section […]