On June 26, 2023 I wrote about the enslaved people (possible family members) in the Will of John W. Williams, Sr -- the man who is also my 3rd great-grandfather. The Will named: Spencer, Virgil, Clark, Issac, Noel, Daniel, Henry, Jack, Bill, Snipe, Jim, Hilliard, Matilda, Maria, Ann, Betsy, Mary Charity, Malinda, Rose, Amanda and Jerry -- and then there was mention of the unnamed with the phrase:, "All the residue of my negro property I wish equally divided among my daughters Mittisiss Barnard, Nancy Manderville, Katharine Bartlett".
To date I have seen documentation of John W. Williams, Sr. as an enslaver as early as the 1830 and 1840 U. S. census records. Unfortunately these records have no names attached to them.
The 1830 census of Jones County, Georgia indicates that the household of John W. Williams, Sr. includes his free white family John Sr., 55; (and most probably) his wife Mary, 55; sons: John Jr, 19; Thomas, 15; and either Henry or Samuel; daughters either Catherine, Nancy, or Mittisis.
He also had 14 enslaved people.
Slaves - Males - Under 10 4
Slaves - Females - Under 10 2
Slaves - Females - 10 thru23 6
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54 1
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| Year: 1830; Census Place: Jones, Georgia; Series: M19; Roll: 18; Family History Library Film: 0007038 |
In the 1840 census the household of John W. Williams, Sr. included him and his wife, three of his sons and none of his daughters.
He also had increased his holdings of enslaved to 46 people: ranging in age from children under ten years old to adults between the ages of 36-54.
Slaves - Males - Under 10 11
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23 7
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 7
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 11
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23 6
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 3
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| Year: 1840; Census Place: Jones, Georgia; Roll: 44; Page: 139; Family History Library Film: 0007045 |
At the 2024 RootsTech conference, FamilySearch introduced full-text searching -- these are records that are not yet indexed but can be search using key words. During this experimentation stage, the records that can be accessed are limited to US Land and Probate Records, Mexico Notary Records, Australia Land and Probate Records, New Zealand Land and Probate Records, and US Plantation Records. In the following weeks, I poured over documents using the search term "John Williams" and filtered results to Jones County, Georgia prior to 1865.
I was able to find six (6) records from Jones County (GA) Deeds 1839-1846, 1846-1853, Mortgages 1839-1845, 1846-1853 where the "residue of negro property" are named.
"Jones, Georgia, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLX-RQ2Q-T?view=explore : Mar 27, 2024), image 486 of 608
(1)
We have received unto our possession of John Williams, Thomas J Williams executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit Edmond, Sarah, Jesse, Lee, Nancy, Abram and Samson which said negroes we have received of said Executors as our portion of the negroes will by said Deceased to Catherine Bartlett and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased and hold them subject to the control of said Executors as directed by said Will this 10 February 1850.
Catherine Bartlett (her mark)
Blake Bartlett
Recorded 5 May 1850
G E Thippen
(2)
We have received unto our possession of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit Joe, Izaiah, George, Elen which said negroes we have received of said Executors as our portion of the negroes Willed by said deceased to the issue of Elizabeth Sawyer and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th, 1850
William Sawyer
Francis M Sawyer
Levi Cooper
John Sawyer
Albert Hobbs
Thomas Sawyer
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen
(3)
I have received into my possessions as guardian of the minor children of Elizabeth Sawyer of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following undivided negroes to wit Joe, Izaiah, George, Elen which said negroes I have received of said Executors as there portion of the negroes Willed by said deceased to the issue of Elizabeth Sawyer and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th 1850
Jacob (?) Sawyer, guardian
Recorded 6 May 1850
G E Thippen
Documents numbered (2) and (3) have the same enslaved individuals.
(4)
Test William M Barnard
Millisip Barnard (her mark)
Jesse Barnard
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen
(5)
We have received into our possessions of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit Andrew, Eli, Charity, Esther and child Levi which said negroes we have received of said Executors as out portion of the negroes Willed to said deceased to Nancy Mandeville and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th 1850
Nancy Manderville
Charles G Manderville
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen
(6)
I have received into my possession of John Williams and Thomas Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit Jack, Henry, Bill, James and Betsy which said negroes Willed by said deceased to Samuel K Williams which we hold agreeable to the 4th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 20th 1850
Samuel Williams
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen
Also, another provision for his grandchildren.
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| https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLX-RQ2X-2?view=fullText&keywords=John%20Williams&groupId=TH-909-73345-124019-96 |
Know all men by their presents that I John Williams Senior of the county and State aforementioned for the natural love and affection that I have for my two grandchildren William H and Martha Elezabeth Deusler I do hereby give to them a negro girl named Clarressa about four years of age; also a good bed, (?), of furniture each. Said property to belong to them upon my death.
In witness whereof I do hereby set my hand and seal this the 4th day of May 1849.
Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of
W D Ethridge
Thomas Williams JP
Recorded 28th Dec 1849
Gilbert E Thippen
I put together the following chart to show which enslaved individuals went to which family members of John W Williams, Sr. While the enslaved may or may not be my biological family, I claim them as family. Their names reside in my heart. Now the hard work begins . . .
