Early Georgia Wills and Settlements

Early Georgia Wills and Settlements

Wilkes County

The information below was originally published in 1959 in Washington, Georgia. Reprinted in Baltimore, Maryland 1976, 1983 and again in 1992, by Sarah Quinn Smith. These references are of negroes and slaves taken from the book entitled "Early Georgia Wills and Settlements of Wilkes County."

Wills are filled by family name in the Office of Judge of Inferior Court. Date of Drawing is first, followed by date of probating.

Booker, William F.,Bill of Equity, Feb. 1810. Thomas F. Booker now claims certain negroes of est. of Wm. F. Booker, dec. File-Booker. Source ...Abstracts of Superior Court Cases from original loose papers 1797 - 1850

Booker, Richardson, Nov, 18, 1853; Nov. 21, 1853. To wife Easter Booker, property, according to a deed of gift Sept. 17, 1851. To son Elford M. Booker land he lived on, 700 acres, and negroes. To son Booker, negroes. To son Jabez M. Booker, negroes and plantation on which he lives. To gr. daus. Martha Booker and Elizabeth Booker, Nancy Booker, negroes. To sons, Leroy Booker, John M. Booker, land, etc. To Thomas J. Booker negroes and plantation on which he lives, to belong to his children. To two gr. children, youngest children of Wm. M. Booker, cash for education. Careful provision is made for slaves; families not to be separated. My son James S. Booker to be well supported. Old slaves to remain with my wife, after her death, slaves to choose whom they prefer to serve. To daus. America McGehee and Elizabeth Kendrick negroes and cash. Other negroes to be divided among my children and gr. children, they to choose masters....Date, Jan. 6, 1854. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.210

Booker, Richardson, Deed of gift to wife Easter Booker, negroes Dafney, old Soloman, old Nancy, old Pegg and her ten children, Harriet and her five children, also gr. children of old Peggy and many other negroes named in the deed, including old Caesar, husband of old Peggy. Sept. 17, 1851. Test: Timothy Duffee, Horace E. Paschal, Thos. H. Wootten. Proved before grand jury. Recorded June 7, 1859. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.259.

Bowen, John, Oct. 4, 1790; Oct 16, 1790. I leave my wife all that her father gave her, negroes, horses, furniture. Proved on the oath of John Matthews. Source...from original wills.

Chivers, Joel, dec., Division of negro property, Nov. 1, 1819. Heirs: Elizabeth Chivers, the widow; Henry T. Chivers, Joel M. Shivers, Nancy L. Chivers, Frances E. Chivers, minors. Remark: Frances E. married her cousin, Thomas Holly Chivers, the poet-genius. Annual Returns 1816-22, p. 270. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates

Colberton, John, Aug. 8 1789; Feb. 2, 1790. To my youngest daughter Nancy at death of my wife, a negro Philis and furniture, etc. Source...from original wills.

Coley, John, Nov. 21, 1815; Nov 21, 1815. It is my will and desire that there shall be a negro fellow purchased of the value of five hundred dollarsfor my son, France Colley.....To son Spain, a negro fellow....To daughter Polley, a negro Cheney and her two children, Cheney and Sophia...To daughter Louisa, my negroes Violet and Mary....To daughter Betsy, similar gifts; my executors to purchase a negro for Betsy out of the money coming from the estate of my father-in-law in North Carolina.....Source...from original wills.

Colley, Francis, Dec. 1, 1859; June 2, 1862. To wife Frances Colley, to sons: Dempsey, Zebulon D., John Owen Colley, Henry F. Colley, to daus: Sarah A. F. Robert, wife of Milton G. Robert. To each, lands and negroes......Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.317.

Combs, Philip, dec. Feb. 1, 1847. Sale of negroes. Buying at sale; Mrs. Elizabeth Combs, Jeremiah R. Combs, Mrs. Sarah Marlow, Miss Nancy Combs, Philip F. Combs, John Staples, Edward Waller. Returns 1843-1848, p. 242 (Some returns on this Revolutionary soldier's estate lost. Deeds of Gift available.) Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Annual Returns 1828 - 1831

Cook, John, Robert Buckner and wife Elizabeth mabry against Joseph and Benjamin Cook and Wm. Stubblefield, April 1797, that John Cook, gr. father of Elizabeth Mabry, died in 1780 and left will devising many slaves to said Elizabeth, and her sister Polly, since dead. Source ...Abstracts of Superior Court Cases from original loose papers 1797 - 1850

Dozier, James, July 3, 1837; March 18, 1839. To wife Elizabeth Dozier, to son Tilman Dozier. to daus. Martha Travis, Jane Gresham, Sarah Clark, Nancy Droyher, to son-in-law, Marten Webster, to son-in-law Isaac McRory, to son Ezekiel Dozier, to gr. son Warren Alexander Clark, son of Frances Clark, my daughter, who is now dead, to William Clark, negroes etc. To son Tilmon the land whereon I now live, being the same bequeathed to my wife, 392 acres, slaves, etc. To dau. Rebecca Grisom, negroes, furniture, stock, etc......Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.30.

Grant, Thomas now of Jasper Co. Ga. to Wm. B. Moore, John R. Moore, Mary Moore, children of Thomas Moore, all of Wilkes Co., certain negroes Apr. 8, 1818. Test: Luke Turner, Wm. Grant. Deeds EEE, p. 98. Source...Division of Property-Deeds of Gift, etc. Office of Superior Court Clerk.

Grant, Thomas, dec. Division of negroes, Jan. 3, 1831. Negroes in Jasper Co., Ga., devised by will of said Thomas Grant to heirs of William Grant, dec. Devises: A. R. Ragan, Augustine L. Grant, Thomas W. Grant, Eliza J. Grant., p. 205. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Grant, William A., dec., and Mary Wright, dec. Joseph W. Robinson, adm. Division of negroes Jan. 3, 1835. Mrs. Eugenia Griffin, Amelia A. Grant, Robert A. Toombs, as adm. of Mrs. Mary Grant, dec., three equal shares, p. 290. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Annual Returns By Administrators and Guardians..1833-1838

Heard, John Sr., Feb. 2, 1787; March 20, 1788, to my well beloved granddau. Jane Austin, my negro girl Julia.....Exrs. bond of date Mch. 20, 1788, Joseph Staton, security. The will is recorded in Will Book C, pg 36. Source...from original wills.

Heard, Barnard, John Heard, adm. Interrogatory: Dec. 1804. Did Barnard Heard let his sister Bridget have a negro Hannah? Source ...Abstracts of Superior Court Cases from original loose papers 1797 - 1850

Holliday, Allen, dec., Division of negroes, July 25, 1848. Distributess: Jacintha R. Holliday, J. R. Holliday, A. F. Holliday, Wyche Jackson in right of his wife, Franc A. C. Holliday. Returns 1843-48, p. 277. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Jackson, William, Dec. 2, 1790; Mch 12, 1791, To wife, Ellender Jackson my plantation, furniture, negroes, horses etc. Source...from original wills.

Jarratt, Athall, July 28, 1826, To Peter Bennett in trust for my dau. Sarah Hurley; after her death, to her children. To dau.Frances Bennett, negroes, etc....Estate Records filed in Wilkes County. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p. 25.

Jordan, John, No date, Aor. 2, 1856, To son Benjamin F. Jordan, all estate. If I should die childless, I give my cook woman to my sister Mary Walker; balance of negroes put into lots by families, and divided among my brother Mathew (with exception of his son Wm. F. Jordan as he has a professional education and bro. Edwin Jordan, and my sister Mary Walker's children, with exception of her son Wm. F. Walker as he has been provided for. If any of my negroes wish to be sold, to stay with their families, let them be sold. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.239.

Martin, Ganaway, July 24, 1819; Nov. 1, 1819,.....To my daughter Elizabeth Webster, negroes, which is her portion.....Recorded in Wills HH, pg. 22. Source...from original wills.

Mercer, Rev. Jesse, June 3, 1841; Nov. 1, 1841. To beloved wife Nancy. All my servants to be sold in mercy, that is to give them time to find masters - such masters as may be desireable to them.......Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.54 to 59.

Peteet, John, John R. Peteet, adm. In equity case against Elizabeth Peteet, adm. of John R. Peteet, dec. who was admr. of John Peteet, Sr. dec. Interrogatory held in Dekalb Co. John Peteet testifies on trail that Richard Peteet his father had given each of his gr-sons a negro (who were named for him) and that John R. Peteet is a grandson of Richard Peteet and was named after him (John Richard Peteet). Testimony relates to ownership of a negro boy Tyson. Case, Aug. 5, 1847. Source ...Abstracts of Superior Court Cases from original loose papers 1797 - 1850

Pettus, Charles, dec. Jan. 7, 1833. Division of negroes. Heirs: Mrs. Mariah Pettus, Sarah Pettus, "willed to them by their uncle, Garland Wingfield". p. 197. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Simpson John N.,dec. Jan. 5, 1831, Division of negroes: James B. Simpson, William, John, Felix G., Charles N., Thomas P. Simpson. p. 74. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Stokes, Sarah, Sept. 24, 1845; Oct. 2, 1848. To daus. Mary and Elizabeth Stokes and the children of my son Micajah T. Anthony of Wilkes Co. All my negroes to be equally divided between Mary, Elizabeth and the children of Micajah T. Anthony, except four negroes not included: I want them to choose which legatees they prefer: When unable to work, to be comfortably maintained....Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.165.

Taliaferro, Benjamin, dec. Division of the property, 1822. Heirs and Distributees: Benjamine Taliaferro, Lewis and David M. Taliaferro, Thornton Taliaferro, Zachariah Taliaferro, a minor; Nicholas A. Watkins; David and Wm. McGehee, sons of Martha McGehee, formerly Taliaferro, by their agent, Abner McGehee; David Monroe in right of his wife Ann, formerly Ann Taliaferro; Joseph A. Greene in right of his wife, formerly Margaret B. Taliaferro, Eliza A. Taliaferro, widow and relect of Benj., dec. Deeds GGG, p. 178-182. (Taliaferro Co., Ga was named in honor of Col. Benj. Taliaferro, of Wilked Co.) Source...Division of Property-Deeds of Gift, etc. Office of Superior Court Clerk.

Thomas, Philip, June 3, 1786, ....To Edward the plantation I live on, furniture, negroes, etc...A special negro, Sil, to wife (Mary), then to Edward. Source...from original wills.

Thomas, Elizabeth, of Wilkes Co., July 3, 1847; July 7, 1848. My executors to sell all landed estate........To nephew James Marks to have all my negroes on condition that he is to pay said negroes three hundred fifty dollars, to each negro, upon receipt of each negro, twenty-one years of age; ........To each negro one hundred dollars. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.161.

Thompson, John D., May 1855; Sept. 15, 1835..........All my negroes to be allowed to choose their own masters. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.236.

Thurmond, William, dec., Division of negroes, Jan. 6, 1836. James L. Callaway in right of his wife, Tabitha; Mary Catherine Thurmond, Nancy Pope Thurmond. Returns 1830-1836, p. 460. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Annual Returns Book No. 10

Walker, John, dec., 1827 and 1829. Division of negroes. William Q. Anderson, in right of his wife Sophia; Robert, Martha, Richard G. and James S. Walker; Joel Callaway in right of his wife Nancy; the children of William Walker, dec., to wit: James, Meriwether and William Walker, minors, p. 110. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Wallace, Benjamin, Dec. 23 1861; Dec. 1, 1862......I require my executors not to separate the negro families. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.239.

Waller, Nimrod, Dec. 23, 1864; Dec. 5, 1864..To Penina Waller a negro, to go to Elizabeth Eades if Penina is without heirs. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.362.

Wellborn, Abner, dec. Division of negroes. Mrs. Martha Wellborn, Miss Ann Wellborn, Abner R. Wellborn, Miss Martha Wellborn, dau, Hepsiba Wellborn, Dr. A. B. Calhoun, Wilkes R. Wellborn, co-heirs. Returns 1839-1844, Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Annual Returns 1828 - 1831

West, John M., dec. Dec. 1, 1831. Division of negroes. Heirs: John Thornton, Charles P. West, Seymore Catchings, Nancy Crooks West, Mary Ann West. p. 51. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Day Book 1830 - 1836 - Annual Returns

Whatley, Michael, Feb. 16, 1788, To dau. Caty Morgan, to grandson Hiram Whatley, son of Richard Whatley, and Frances, his wife, to son John, to sons Michael and Daniel, to dau. Peggy Richards, wife of John Richards, Deeds of Gift of negroes to each. To be admitted immediately to record. Document is called Deeds of gift and Testament. Source...from original wills.

Wilkinson, John Esq., of Wilkes Co. Apr. 9, 1785; Aug. 26, 1786. .....To eldest son Micajah cash, four negroes......probate date ewcorded in the back of Will Book 1810-1816 in old script. Source...from original wills.

Wilkinson, John, May 21, 1799; Nov. 3, 1806, to my children all my property: to son Francis Wilkinson, a negro named Glass; Samuel, a negro Rachel, to dau. Ann Harrison, a negro Amy; to son, Pleasnat Wilkinson, a negro Will, to son Bailey, a negro Silvey, to dau. Polly Wilkinson, a negro Sal, also other gifts to each. Legacy to son Sherard (Sherwood?). To son Jesse, negroes Ben and Cerena, to Nathaniel, a negro Paul and bay mare......Date Apr. 3, 1802 (codicil). Recorded in Will Book HH, pg 17. Source...from original wills.

Willis, George, dec. Robert J. Willis, adm. Willis R. Callaway's receipt for his wife's share in six negroes, assigned to his wife (who was formerly the widow of George Willis, Jr. dec.) and to Richard W. Willis son of George Willis, dec'd. Feb. 1, 1845. Source ...Abstracts of Superior Court Cases from original loose papers 1797 - 1850

Wingfield, Samuel, dec. Charels Wingfield, adm. Division of negroes: Frances Wingfield, Mrs. Wingfield, William C. Wingfield, Archibald S. Wingfield, distributees. Dec. 26, 1821. Returns Book 1821-25, p. 67. Source...Ordinary's Office Inferior Court, Distributions of Estates; Annual Returns 1828 - 1831

Wingfield, Garland, Aug. 15,1864; Feb. 5, 1865.......If any of my negroes are dissatisfied exr. to sell to such persons as negroes select. Exr. Wife Rebecca. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.363.

Wingfield, Sarah S. Mch. 28, 1862; July 1862. To son Asbury Tate a negro Alford which is one of the Tate negroes. Source... Wilkes County Wills 1830 - 1860, Wills recorded in Wilkes County Book 11 (eleven), p.322

Woodruff, Richard, Feb. 26, 1835; July 12, 1836...Provision for slaves. April 10, 1836. Source...from original wills.