Liberty County Superior Court Cases Naming African Americans
These transcripts and abstracts are part of an ongoing project to search Liberty County Superior Court records for all antebellum cases naming (or referring to) enslaved or free African Americans. These include criminal and civil cases. In particular, “equity court” was a hearing in which the Superior Court judge would hear a case, often involving estate issues, that the parties felt could not be resolved equitably by applying the usual case law. These were often petitions to sell particular enslaved individuals from an estate. To see just the equity court cases, choose “Equity Cases” from the “Documents” -> “Court” menu.
Following are the Liberty County Superior Court record sets on FamilySearch.org that are being searched for cases, with their status. If you are looking for a particular case in a time frame that has not been done yet, please contact me at jnscole@yahoo.com. I will be happy to look for it.
Proceedings (1826-1833):
Proceedings (Vol. 4 1833-1840):
Proceedings (Vol. 5 1842-1855): DONE
Proceedings (Vol. 6 1855-1864): DONE
Proceedings (Vol. 7 1867-1885):
Minutes 1784-1785, 1788, 1790-1808:
Minutes 1804-1821: DONE
Minutes 1822-1859: DONE
Minutes 1859-1884: DONE (through 1865)
Court Case – Executors of John Bacon against William Kirkland (1791-2)
Enslaved Persons Named: Abraham, Judy In 1791 and 1792, Joseph Quarterman as one of the executors for John Bacon prosecuted a case against William Kirkland, who had left Liberty County, for taking “a negro wench name Judy,” who was 17 or 18 years old, with him illegally. Quarterman apparently won his case, as the Sheriff filed an order to seize “a negro fellow named Abraham” in April 1792 and sell him at public auction. [Begin Transcript] Order for sale: Joseph Quartermanet al Exorsvs. Wm. Kirkland } Attach’t [Attachment]filed 6 April 1792 Jos. Quarterman et alExor John BaconVsWilliam KirklandThe Sheriff having
Bryan County Court Order (Stiles & Penny)
Enslaved People Named: None [Begin Transcript] State of Georgia, Bryan County } Whereas Zachariah M. Winkler of Savannah in said State obtained a judgement in Bryan Superior Court against Benjamin Stiles and Alexander W. Stephen, who are the trustees of Mrs. Jane Penny, for the sum of thirteen hundred and eight dollars and thirty three cents exclusive of interest and costs, and also an execution in foreclosure of mortgage upon Frugality Hall held by the said Benjamin Stiles and Alexander W. Stephen in trust for said Jane Penny and whereas the said Benjamin Stiles and Alexander W. Stephen are desirous
Court Case – Charlton Hines vs. Robert C. McConnell (1822)
Enslaved People Named: None In April 1822, Charlton Hines sued Robert C. McConnell for slander, alleging that McConnell had told people that Hines had gotten from him a substance called ergot for the purpose of inducing an abortion in an undentified female “slave.” Hines charged that McConnell had injured his reputation with his neighbors and other citizens of Liberty County, who would no longer associate with him because they believed him to have inpregnated his female “slave” and to have driven his wife out of her mind. Only the last pages of the court case were found and are transcribed
1797 Bryan County Court Case (Wright/Dukes)
Enslaved People Named: Esther [alt: Ester, Easter] [Begin Transcript]State of Georgia, Bryan County } I John Wright of the State and County aforesaid do solemnly swear that I will stand to the verdict of Stephen Denmark, William Poole, Matthew Carter & William Mase in a certain Case between John Wright of the one part and John Dukes of the other in a certain Cause respecting a certain Negroe girl named Esther.[Signed by mark] John WrightThe above sworn to before me this 19th December 1795.John Albritton J.P. State of Georgia, Bryan County } I John Dukes of the State and County
1812 Bryan County Court Case (Stillwell/Cubbedge)
Enslaved People Named: Hannah, Lucinda and IsaacLocation: Bryan County, Georgia [Begin Transcript]May 5th 1812George Cubbedge Esq’rSir,I demand of you the Negroes Hannah, Lucinda and Isaac the said Negroes being illegally detained by you.Your Ob[edien]t S[ervan]tJoseph Stillwell I do certify I have this day served this notice on Mr. George Cubbedge Sheriff of Bryan CountySamuel W. Allen5th May 1812 Personally appeared before me S.W. Allen who being duly sworn saith he did serve the within notice on George Cubbedge then acting Sheriff of Bryan County.Sworn before me this 11th February 1814 Benjamin Burton J.P. Personally appeared before me Mr. Samuel W.
Court Case: Pray vs. Woodruff for Betty (1786-8)
[Begin Transcript] GeorgiaTo the Honorable the Chief Justice of the Said State, and the Assistant Justices of Liberty County The Petition of Job PrayHumbly Sheweth that Joseph Woodruff Esqr of the County of Liberty is justly indebted to your petitioner in the sum of one hundred & seventy pounds, sixteen shillings and four pence species for a certain Negro Wench named Betty, and one hogshead molasses agreeable to the Annex’d Accounts, which the said Joseph undertook and faithfully promised to pay your petitioner, when thereunto requested yet altho frequently requested, the same hath and still doth refuse to pay your
Court case: Bayley vs. Hext Estate, dispute over named enslaved people
State of Georgia, Liberty County } Personally appeared Samuel P. Bayley of the county & state aforesaid, who being duly sworn saith that the following negroes, to wit, Philida [alt: Phyllida, Phillida], Cloe [alt: Chloe], Mary, Roger, Billy and Annette, advertised by the Sheriff of Liberty County as the property of the Estate of John Hext deceased at the [word] of Adam Tunno and others is not the property of said Estate, but belongs to this deponent and that one other negro named Rachel advertised as aforesaid is not the property of said estate but belongs to Adam Alexander Es.
Court Case: Thorp vs. Hastings
[Begin Transcript] February term 1791 Charles Thorp Admr etc Advm Extrix A. Haistings [alt: Hastings] PleaFiled the 9th March 1791John Graves C.I.C.C.L. ———————————Inferior Court – February term 1791 Charles Thorp Admr etc Advm Elizabeth & Catharine HastingsExecutrixes of Archibald Haistings } Plea And the said Charles Thorp by Geo. [George] Foster his attorney comes, and defends the force, and injury, when etca and says that he is not indebted, and that he did not undertake in manner and form as they the said Elizabeth and Catharine have declared against him, and of this he puts himself upon the Country. [Signed]
Court Case: Against Lewis Hines’ Estate Naming Numerous Enslaved People (1841)
Superior Court of Liberty CountyDecember Term 1842 Charlton Hines ex’or of the last will and testament of Lewis Hines, dec’dAdsMichael Prendergast PleaFiled this eighteenth March 1842 Jackson & Harden GeorgiaIn the Superior Court of Liberty CountyDecember Term 1841Charlton Hines executor of the last will and testament of Lewis Hines deceasedAdsMichael Prendergast } Case And now to wit at this term of December one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, the said defendant by Jackson & Harden, his attorneys, comes and defends the wrong and injury when, etc, and says that the said Lewis Hines in his lifetime did not undertake or
Court Case: Foreclosure on Simon A. Fraser promissory note using Grace, Archy, Mary as collateral (1822)
Enslaved People Named: Grace, Archy, MarySlaveowners involved: Simon A. Fraser, Robert Hendry JrDate: 1822 On March 6, 1822, Simon A. Fraser used as collateral on a promissory note of $487.73 “a woman Slave named Grace, and her two children named Archy and Mary.” Witnessed by William H. Cassels and Jno [John] Stewart. On October 7, 1822, Robert Hendry Jr appeared before Liberty County Inferior Court Judge Thomas Mallard to state that Simon A. Fraser, “late of the County of Liberty aforesaid, but now of the County of Twiggs,” owed him this $487.73, plus $18.68 interest “on a mortgage of personal
Court Case: Cuffy seized from Simon A. Fraser to settle debt (1826)
Enslaved People Named: Cuffy [alt: Cuffee]Slaveowner involved: Simon A. Fraser, John E. McCallDates: 1822, 1826 In the November 1822 term of the Liberty County Superior Court, Lester Thompson won a judgment against Simon A. Fraser and John E. McCall. As a result of the judgment, the Liberty County Sheriff used a writ of fieri fascias to seize “one negro man named Cuffy and one bay horse” on September 4, 1826. This note was marked “Satisfied 9 Nov 1826.” Loose Papers in folders by surname, Liberty County Court of Ordinary; digitized images with typewritten indexes, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99QW-Y295 : accessed 31 July
Court Case – Anderson vs. Tanner & Tanner for beating Toney (1814)
Enslaved People Named: ToneySlaveowners: William AndersonDate of Case: 1814 [Begin Transcript] State of Georgia. To the Honorable the Judge of the Superior Court for the County of Liberty and said State. The petition of William Anderson, of said State and County, planter, sheweth, that John Tanner and Samuel Tanner, both of said County and State, yeomen, did, on the twenty second day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, in the County and State aforesaid, with force and arms, to wit, with whips, sticks, staves, knives, hoes, spades, axes, stones, clubs, lightwood-knots and
Court Case – McGowen (Admr of Way) vs. Jones Jr (1821)
Enslaved People Named: Lizette, Winter, Affy [alt: Affee], Charlotte, Billy, George, Betty, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Dinah, Isaac, RoseSlaveowners: Mrs. Susannah Way, John McGowen, Samuel JonesDate of Case: 1821 [Begin Transcript] John McGowen Admor ofSusannah Way & othersVs.Samuel Jones Jun. Et al } Bill for discovery & relief We find for the comlainants the number of negroes named in the Bill, to wit, Lizette, Winter, Affy [alt: Affee], Charlotte, Billy, George, Betty, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Dinah, Isaac, and Rose, together with their issue and increase since the death of Mrs. Susannah Way, and twelve hundred dollars damage with costs of suit.
Court Case – State vs. George Kepland for “stealing” Bacchus belonging to B. Mell (1820)
Enslaved People Named: BacchusSlaveowners: Benjamin MellDate of Case: 1820 [Begin Transcript] [November Term 1820] The StateVsKepland } Indictment Larceny of a Slave Mr. Solicitor General made the indictment, & introduced the following witnesses for the State. Prisoner said the negro belonged to the Sheriff of Liberty County, three or four days after witness first saw him – that he had met with him on the road to Darien near the Sand Hills. Witness thinks he saw the change of clothes was made for the purpose of concealment. Amos Porter, recalled. Also identifies the negro in like manner & says the
Court Case – State vs. Mallony for “beating a negro” (1819)
Enslaved People Named: Not namedSlaveowners: Not namedDate of Case: 1819 [Begin Transcript] [April Term 1819] The StateVs.Owen Mallony ]alt: Maloney]} Indictment for beating a negro John Stewart Esq. Security for the appearance at Court of the said Owen Mallony, surrendered him in open court; whereupon it is ordered, that the said Owen Mallony be kept in custody by the Sheriff, and that the said John Stewart be released from his suretiship. [Two pages later] The StateVs.Owen Mallony } Beating a negroTrue BillD. Stewart, foreman [Two pages later] The StateVs.Owen Mallony } Indict. For beating a negro We find the defendant
Court Case: State vs. William Ward for “having no white overseer on his plantation” (1818)
Enslaved People Named: Not namedSlaveowners: William WardDate of Case: 1818 [Begin Transcript] The StateVs.William Ward } Indict. Having no white overseer on his plantationA true bill16 November 1818 John Winn, Foreman [End Transcript] Source: Superior Court minutes, 1809-1821, Liberty County, Georgia, page 313; database with images, “Liberty County Superior Court Minutes 1809-1821,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-W9ZF : accessed 10 Jul 2023), Family History Library Film 008628963, item 2 of 2, image 611 of 653.
Court Case – State vs. Way, Bacon, Bacon, Way for “beating a Negro slave” (1818)
Enslaved People Named: Not namedSlaveowners: Not namedDate of Case: 1818 [Begin Transcript] The grand jury returned the following bill. The StateVs.Quarterman WayWilliam Bacon& Thomas Bacon Jnr& Moses Way } Indictment Beating a Negro Slave A true billJohn Winn, Foreman16 November 1818 [End Transcript] Source: Superior Court minutes, 1809-1821, Liberty County, Georgia, page 310; database with images, “Liberty County Superior Court Minutes 1809-1821,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-W8H : accessed 10 Jul 2023), Family History Library Film 008628963, item 2 of 2, image 609 of 653.
Court Case – State vs. Moore for “assault & beating a negro” (1817)
Enslaved People Named: Not namedSlaveowners: Not namedDate of Case: 1817 [Begin Transcript] [April Term 1817] The StateVs.James Moore } Assault & beating a negro True BillD. Stewart foreman [End Transcript] Source: Superior Court minutes, 1809-1821, Liberty County, Georgia, page 286; database with images, “Liberty County Superior Court Minutes 1809-1821,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3H3-W9CQ : accessed 10 Jul 2023), Family History Library Film 008628963, item 2 of 2, image 597 of 653.
Court Case: Rodgers vs. Howell regarding Aaron (1815-18)
Enslaved People Named: AaronSlaveowners: Dr. Charles W. Rogers, Mrs Margaret HowellDate of Case: 1815-1816 [Begin Transcript] Georgia.To the Honorable the Judge of the Superior Court of Liberty County.The petition of Charles W. Rogers, of the county & state aforesaid, physician, sheweth, that Margaret Howell, of the county of Liberty, aforesaid, widow, is indebted to your petitioner in the sum of two hundred dollars; for that whereas, on or about the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifteen, at Sunbury in the county aforesaid, a conversation was then & there had &
Court Case – Foreclosure on Enslaved People Belonging to James Holmes (1817)
Enslaved People Named: Jacob, Hamlet, Lucke [alt: Luke], Sam, Jim, Dick, Sampson, David, Sault, Quamina, Charles, Joe, Phoebe [alt: Phebe], Diana [alt: Dianna], Affey [alt: Affee, Affy], Barsheba, Nanny, Flora, Abby, Betty, Lily [alt: Lilly] & JimSlaveowners: James HolmesDate of Case: 1817 [Begin Transcript] State of GeorgiaTo the Hon’ble the Judge of the Superior Court of the Eastern District The petition of Robert Mitchell, of the County of Chatham, administrator of all & singular the goods & chattels, rights & credits of Spencer Man [alt: Mann], late of the State of South Carolina deceased, sheweth, that James Holmes Esq of