They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Deeds Involving Enslaved Persons
in Liberty County Georgia

Bill of Sale (Mara/Bevan)

Enslaved People Named: Joe On April 6, 1808, Morgan Mara, Liberty County, sold to Joseph Bevan for $400 “a Negro Slave called Joe.” Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on April 12, 1808. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Jones/Bevan)

Enslaved People Named: Toney, Betty, August, Jack, Abby, Hannah, Molly, Dick On April 5, 1808, Liberty County Sheriff Jos. Wilson sold to Joseph Bevan for $1176 “certain negroes named Toney, Betty, August, Jack and Abby.” They had been seized from

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Davis/McGowen)

Enslaved People Named: Big Tom, Little Tom, Jack, Cate, Jubinah, Murriah, Tenea, Penny, Charlotte, Frank, Swallow, Nellow, Peter, Ned On February 23, 1797, William Ransom Davis, planter of Clarendon County, Camden Distrist, South Carolina, sold to Mrs. Lydia McGowen, wife

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Findley/Findley)

Enslaved People Named: John On January 31, 1807, John Cater Findley gifted to his wife Margaret “a Negro fellow John by name” with eight head of blackhorned cattle, all his house furniture, and all his personal estate. Witnessed by John

Read More »

Estate Settlement (Cooper/Compton)

Enslaved People Named: None On January 28, 1808, arbitrators appointed by Jesse Cooper, who had married the widow of the late John R. Wooderson, and William H. Compton, the administrator of Wooderson’s estate, made a final settlement of the claims

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Godfrey/Durrence)

Enslaved People Named: Rose On December 29, 1806, Francis H. Godfrey, Bulloch County, used “a certain Negro Girl named Rose” as collateral on a loan to him of $300 from William Durrence, Liberty County. Witnessed by Jesse Durrence, J. [or

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Molich/Ard)

Enslaved People Named: Billy On November 3, 1807, Liberty County Sheriff Joseph Jones sold to Thomas Ard for $360 “a certain Negroe fellow named Billy the property of the said John Molich.” Jones had seized Billy from Molich based on

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Maxwell/Ard)

Enslaved People Named: Toney On October 6, 1807, Bryan County Sheriff Stephen Maxwell recorded that Thomas Ard had that day purchased at sheriff’s sale “a negro fellow named Toney” for $170. This deed was given the title: “Edward Stebbins vs.

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Irvine/Wilkins)

Enslaved People Named: Peter On January 28, 1805, Kenneth Irvine sold to Paul H. Wilkins for $350 “a Negro Man named Peter of the Angola Country, supposed to be nineteen or twenty years old.” He swore to this on September

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Mell/Brown)

Enslaved People Named: Sary, Abraham On February 1, 1807, Thomas Mell sold to William Brown for $535 “a Negro Wench Sary and Child Abraham…” Witnessed by Francis Ross, Thomas Ard. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on August 31, 1807. 

Read More »

Bill of Sale (White/Ard)

Enslaved People Named: Davey, Cato On April 3, 1807, James White, Liberty County, sold to Thomas Ard, same place, for $720 “two Negro fellows one named Davey [alt: Davy], the other named Cato, of the Angola Country, neigther of them

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Lawson/Lawson)

Enslaved People Named: Billy, Clara, John, Mary, Hannah, Sally, Clarissa, Scyke [alt: Psyche], Dinah, Tenah, Nama [or Numa], Mariah, Edinburgh, Gilbert, Altamont, Monday, Daphne On July 27, 1807, John Lawson, Liberty County, gifted to his children Eliza C. Webb, William

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Williamson/White)

Enslaved People Named: Tom, Sam, Daniel, Cato On February 22, 1806, John P. Williamson, relinquished his right to “the following negroes…to wit, Tom, Sam, Daniel & Cato.” He had obtained a mortgage on them from James White, of Liberty County,

Read More »

Marriage Contract (Osgood/Sullivan)

Enslaved People Named: Dafney On May 27, 1807, Esther Osgood, spinster of Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract with Daniel Sullivan, same place, naming as her trustees John Osgood, Benjamin Mell, and Thomas Baker Senior, also of the same

Read More »

Bill of Sale (McIntosh/Alexander)

Enslaved People Named: Dick, Beck, Fanny, Sandy, Galbo, Ginney, Nancy On April 10, 1807, Liberty County Sheriff Joseph Jones sold to Adam Alexander for $720 “the following negroes /to wit/ Dick, his wife Beck and five children named Fanny, Sandy,

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Stevens/Guildersleeve)

Enslaved People Named: Ben, Jacob, Major, Lydia, Chloe, Molly, Tenah, Phebe On March 12, 1807, Oliver Stevens, planter of Liberty County used as collateral on a promissory note for $1000 to Cyrus Guildersleeve, clergyman of Liberty County, “all those eight

Read More »

Other (Monroe/Children)

Enslaved People Named: Carpenter Bob, Old Tenah, Young Sylvia, Young Bob, Joeter, Daphney, Rachel, Sylla, Old Phoebe, Old Maria, Jack, Dembo, Peggy, Luke, Grace, Little Sam, Jacob, Isaac, Toney, Toney’s Chloey, Little Sarah, Sandy, Saul, Elsy, Robin, Young Beck, Esther,

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Austin/Pritchard)

Enslaved People Named: Cloe, Venus, Isabell, Lankester, March, Andrew On December 17, 1806, Sarah Ann Austin, Liberty County, gifted to her sister Margaret Pritchard, a spinster of Liberty County, “the six following Slaves, that is, Cloe [alt: Chloe], Venus, Isabell

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Robarts/Robarts)

Enslaved People Named: Yellow Beck, Size On February 3, 1807, in Riceborough, James Robarts sold to William Robarts for $600 “Yellow Beck, about twenty two years of age and Size a boy about thirteen years of age. Robarts noted that

Read More »

Estate Settlement (Law/Law)

Enslaved People Named: Jim, Maria, Betty, Tenah, Cassander, Harriett, Prince On February 22, 1806, Joseph, Benjamin and Samuel S. Law, administrators of the estate of Joseph Law, Senior, turned over to Charles Law 1/7th part of the Joseph Law estate,

Read More »

Estate Settlement (Law/Law)

Enslaved People Named: Galloway, Leah, Sambo, Charles On February 22, 1806, Joseph, Benjamin and Samuel S. Law, administrators of the estate of Joseph Law, Senior, turned over to Nathaniel Law 1/7th part of the Joseph Law estate, as one of

Read More »

Estate Settlement (Law/Law)

Enslaved People Named: Gib, Carolina, Rachel, Maryann, Rose On February 22, 1806, Joseph, Benjamin and Samuel S. Law, administrators of the estate of Joseph Law, Senior, turned over to Thomas E. Law 1/7th part of the Joseph Law estate, as

Read More »

Marriage Contract (Dicks/Axson)

Enslaved People Named: Joe, Sary, ?? Hannah ??, Peter, Sylvia, Harry, Lucy, Charles, Stepney, Old Lydia, Young Lydia, Jack, Sibby, Peggy, Nan, Frank, ?? Natt ?? On December 24, 1806, Ann Dicks, widow of Liberty County, entered into a marriage

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Jones/Banks)

Enslaved People Named: Old Nancy, Little Nancy, London, Luck, Winter, Chloe, Bristol On December 13, 1806, Liberty County Sheriff Joseph Jones finalized the sale to Charles Banks for $1000 of “Old Nancy, Little Nancy, London, Luck, Winter, Chloe and Bristol.”

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Jones/Jones)

Enslaved People Named: Jenny, Affee, Amaritta, Marsha, Maria, Mary, George, Will On May 22, 1806, Joseph Jones the elder, planter of Liberty County, gifted to his son Joseph Maybank Jones, via trustees Andrew Maybank and Major Joseph Law, both planters

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Baker/Mell)

Enslaved People Named: Old Rose, Lucy, Bob On November 20, 1806, William Baker, Liberty County, sold for $800 to Benjamin Mell, also of Liberty County, “three Negroes by name Old Rose, Lucy and boy Bob.” Witnessed by James Mell. Recorded

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Dicks/Robarts)

Enslaved People Named: Quash On August 5, 1806, Liberty County Sheriff Joseph Jones sold to William Robarts for $185 “a fellow named Quash.” Jones had seized Quash from Charles Dicks after a writ of fieri facias was obtained against him

Read More »

Other (Grimball/Johnson)

Enslaved People Named: Isaac On January 27, 1806, Paul Grimball relinquished his claim to “the fellow Isaac” to Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, relict of Doctor George Johnson, late of Liberty County, in return for her dower claim to a tract of

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Walthour/Lambright)

Enslaved People Named: Phoebe, Jack On June 7, 1805, Andrew Walthour, planter of Liberty County, gifted to William Lambright, his wife Mary, and their children, out of “friendship, love and good will,” “two certain Negro Slaves named Phoebe & Jack.”

Read More »

Marriage Contract (Anderson/Jones)

Enslaved People Named: Sylvia, George, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Rose, Sylvia, George, Delia, Sue, July, Nanny, Rachel, Toney, Celia, Adam, Joe, Jack, Lizette, Jenny, Myley [alt: Miley], Prime, Auber, Phillis, Carolina, March, Tyrone, Primus, Judy, Jenny, Affee, Allen, Elsy, Betty, Flora,

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Robarts/Lambright)

Enslaved People Named: Moses On June 3, 1806, William Robarts, Liberty County, gifted to “my friend” William Lambright, Lambright’s wife Mary and their children “One Negro man Slave named Moses…” Lambright was to have the care, management and direction of

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Bacon/James)

Enslaved People Named: Tenah, little Dick On April 22, 1806, Jonathan Bacon, Liberty County, sold to James James for $500 “a Negro wench named Tenah and her Child named little Dick formerly the wife of Jim Goulding…”  Written below this

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Johnson/Banks & Lockwood)

Enslaved People Named: Not named On April 9, 1806, the following was recorded in Liberty County Superior Court:  [Begin transcript] Charleston 1st March 1806 To the Sheriff of Liberty County, Georgia Sir This will be handed you by Mrs. Johnson

Read More »

Used as Collateral (McTier/Mara)

Enslaved People Named: Lilly On August 10, 1805, Lewis McTier [alt: McTair], Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $305 to Morgan Mara, Liberty County, “a certain negro woman Slave named and called Lilly…” Witnessed by Abner

Read More »

Used as Collateral (White/Guildersleeves)

Enslaved People Named: Sambo, Lilly, little Dick, Doll, Toney, little Bess On April 2, 1806, James White, planter of Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $1200 to Cyrus Guildersleeves, also of Liberty County, “all those six

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Lambright/Robarts)

Enslaved People Named: Moses, Phoebe On March 5, 1808 [SIC*], Liberty County Sheriff Joseph Jones sold at a sheriff’s sale to William Robarts “two certain Negroes…to wit, a fellow named Moses and a wench named old Phoebe.” Jones had seized

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Oswald/Clay & Habersham)

Enslaved People Named: Toney, Susan, Dinah, Lucy, Smart, Jane, Phillis, Molly, Will On June 2, 1795, Ann Oswald used as collateral on a promissory note of $307 pounds to Joseph Clay and Joseph Habersham, surviving copartners of William Fox and

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Demere/Bond)

Enslaved People Named: Daphne On January 27, 1801, Mary Demere, relict of the late Major Raymond Demere of Bryan County, gifted to her sister Mrs. Ann Bond, wife of Mr. Venable Bond, planter of the same county, “a Negroe woman

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Stuart/Lanchester)

Enslaved People Named: Abraham, Joe, Jim On April 13, 1805, John Stuart, planter of Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $921.88 to Thomas Lanchester, merchant of North Newport, “the following Slaves, that is to say, Abraham

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Holmes/Kell)

Enslaved People Named: Yelley, Pamorce, Fatimer On January 24, 1806, James Holmes, planter of Sunbury, Liberty County, sold for $900 to John Kell, gentleman of Sunbury, as “a balance due on settlements of accounts” “three Negro Slaves to wit, Yelley,

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Johnston/Johnston)

Enslaved People Named: Sue On December 1, 1805, Liberty County Deputy Sheriff Edward Harville put Sue up for public auction. Sue and others belonging to the estate of the late Dr. Johnston had been named in a mortgage given by

Read More »

Used as Collateral (White/Williamson)

Enslaved People Named: Cuffy, Jack, Saul, Tall, Lucy [or Levicy], Pompy [alt: Pompey], Duke, Sandy, Sam, June, Aaron, Billy, Maria, Tom, Daniel, Peg, Mary, Cato, Little Betty On March 5, 1805, James White, Liberty County, used as collateral on a

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Lanchester/Couper)

Enslaved People Named: Dick On November 25, 1805, Phebe Lanchester, widow and relict of Thomas Lanchester, late a merchant of Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $501 to John Couper, of Glynn County, “a certain negro

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Fitzpatrick/Broughton)

Enslaved People Named: Pendar, Hagar, Aaron On March 11, 1805, Liberty County Sheriff William E. Stuart sold to John H. Broughton for $500 “three Negro Slaves named Pendar [alt: Penda, Pender] and children Hagar & Aaron. Dorcus Lines, administrator of

Read More »

Bill of Sale (Murphy/Fraser)

Enslaved People Named: Sam, Milly, Peggy, ? Mony ?, Ansel, Rantor, ? Fopy ?, Mulla On December 18, 1802, Moses Murphy [alt: Murfee], planter of South Carolina, sold to Simon Fraser, planter of Liberty County, “the following Negroes viz. Sam

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Lawson/Webb)

Enslaved People Named: Lucy, John On May 9, 1805, John Lawson gifted to his daughter Elizabeth Webb, wife of John Webb of Sunbury, “one Negro Wench named Lucy with her child a boy called John…” Witnessed by John Bunkley, Mary

Read More »

Manumission (Abby)

Enslaved People Named: Abby On March 2, 1801, in Bryan County, James M. Stuart, Bryan County, manumitted “my Negro woman by name Abby, formerly the property of the Estate of Samuel Burnley, hereby relinquishing all my right, title and ownership

Read More »

Deed of Gift (Hoyt/Goulding)

Enslaved People Named: Titus, Jemmy, Bristor [alt: Brister], Abby, Elsy, January, Jack, Jim, Sandy, Bellar [alt: Bella], Phoebe, Jane On May 14, 1805, Margaret Hoyt, widow of Liberty County, gifted to her son Thomas Goulding and her daughter Maria Goulding,

Read More »

Used as Collateral (Jones/D’Wolf)

Enslaved People Named: Sunbury, October, November, December, May, April, Nancy, Sukey On December 1, 1804, John Jones, Liberty County, used as collateral on promissory notes totalling $3640.79 to James D’Wolf “all and singular the Negro Slaves hereinafter mentioned, that is

Read More »