Liberty County Enslaved People to Rice Hope Plantation in McIntosh County? (Research Snippet)
On December 5, 1843, Richard S. Baker of Liberty County used as collateral on a promissory note of $1000 to George W. Walthour (for whom Walthourville is named) “the following thirteen slaves (viz) Peter, Cloe, Crawford, Maria, Stephen, Ned, Nanny, Louisa, Matilda, Lawrence, Cato, Bob & Mary, the three last being mortgaged to the said […]
Slavery & Inheritance (Research Snippet)
When researching enslaved people, it’s unfortunately very important to research thoroughly their enslavers. In 1843, Elizabeth S. McKinne entered into a marriage contract with Henry M. Stevens, both of Liberty County, Georgia, and she put into a trust the nine enslaved people she owned in her own right: Prince, Goliah, Cate, Rose, Georgian, Grace, Patsey, […]
Why did Newton Bacon take the name Bacon after the Civil War?
Antebellum documents can help us understand why a formerly enslaved African American adopted a particular surname after the Civil War. In 1843, the estate of John Bacon, of Liberty County, was divided among the heirs (for some reason in the Liberty County Superior Court records, not the probate court). The estate included nine enslaved people […]
Sold out of County: 16 Enslaved People
In 1843, Barbara* R. Screven [see note at end] sold to Robert Taylor of Atkins, Clark County, Georgia, 16 enslaved people with names and ages as follows: Trim 44 Betty 37 John 19 Tamer 16 Jim 12 William 8 Robert 5 Barack 2 Buckey [alt: Bucky] 34 Nancy 26 Matilda 7 Cato 4 James 3 […]
Sancho & Patty and their family
Enslaved African Americans in Liberty County, Georgia, are frequently listed in family groups of mother and children in antebellum wills, estate inventories and other documents, but it’s unusual to find both father and mother listed. In 1843, Joseph E. Maxwell used “the following family of negro slaves” as collateral on a promissory note to George […]