Race, Slavery, and Free Blacks. Series II, Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775 - 1867. Part A: Georgia (1796-1867), Florida (1821 - 1857), Alabama (1821 - 1867), Mississippi (1822 -1867). edited by Loren Schweninger; assistant editor, Marguerite Ross Howell

Wilkinson County court records:
1839 Jack and Lucy, free persons
1859 Micajah Paulk Estate
1859 Rebecca Jones Estate
1859, 1861 Joseph Adkins Estate
1859, 1860 R. B. Herndon Estate
1860 William Brown Estate
1862 Guardian of Alcy J. Shuffield
1862 Guardian of William Shuffield
1862 Henry Hooks
1862 Estate of Wright J. Shuffield
1862 Estate of Nancy Rozar
1862 C. D. Smith Estate
1862 Joel Butler Estate
1863 James R. Lewis Estate
1863 Estate of S. B. Murphey
1863 Guardian of  J.P. Hughs
1863 Estate of Alfred Brannan
1863 Estate of Joel Butler
1864 George K. Whipple
1865 Estate of Benjamin Fordham, Sr.

DETAILS from Digital Library on American Slavery
1839
Abstract: Jack and Lucy are free persons of color. They ask the court to appoint a guardian for them and they they "would suggest the name of Samuel Beale as the person for that purpose."

1859
Abstract: D. A. Moore, administrator of the estate of the late Joseph Adkins, asks the court's permission to sell the property of the estate, including slaves, and divide the proceeds among the legatees. Slaves: Betsy, female; Furnce; Jane, female; Jim, male

1859
Abstract: Rollin A. Stanley seeks to prove the will of the late Micajah Paulk and to be recognized as executor of his estate. Paulk left assets consisting of "Land, Negro, horses cattle &c," to be distributed to his wife and children. Result: granted. Slaves not named.

1859
Abstract: John Council, next friend of Joseph Jones, asks the court to revoke an order authorizing Stephen F. Lord, "administrator of Rebecca Jones," to sell "Two Negroes to wit- Solomon and Hannah” from the estate. Council claims that there was "no Necessity for such Sail" and no request from the legatee, Joseph, to do so.
Result: granted

1860
Abstract: A. C. Brown, executor of the estate of the late William Brown, seeks the court's permission to make a distribution of the estate's land and slaves.
Result: granted

1860
Abstract: Love Herndon, as administrator of the estate of R. B. Herndon, claims he has "advertised for Sixty days in a public Gazett for leave to sell a Negro man Peter belong to Said estate." He seeks permission for the sale. Result: granted

1862
Abstract: George W. Butler, one of the executors of the will of Joel Butler, petitions the court to lawfully record the last will and testament of Butler. "The other executor," who is not named in the petition, does not intend to quality as such, leaving George Butler as sole executor.
Slaves (ages in 1861): Alfred 32; Baalam 47; Becky 47; Ben 33; Bill 31; Bishop 4 mos; Daniel 47; Dennis 32; Dicey 9; Edward 37; Elijah 11; Eliza 8; Ellen 3;
Emma Jane 10; Fanny 27; Frank 28; Green 13; Hannah; Hardy 21;  Joe 30; John 18; John 34; Kitty 25; Lida; Mariah 28; Milton 6; Mint 47; Monroe 8; Ned 32; Robert 12; Robin 47; Sallie 62, Vilet 25; Wright 45; Yong 9

1862
Abstract: James D. Todd, as administrator of the estate of Henry Hooks, seeks permission to privately hire out the two slaves belonging to the estate. These
slaves are two men, Jordan and Mathew. Result: granted

1862
Abstract: Sarah A. Smith seeks her appointment as administrator of the estate of C. D. Smith, her deceased husband. The estate consists mainly of "Land and Negroes." Result: granted

1862
Abstract: E. J. Rozar claims that he has posted a notice for sixty days in a public gazette declaring his intentions to sell the "Negro property belonging to Estate of
Said Nancy Rozar." He seeks an order of the court granting him permission to sell this property. Result: granted

1862
Abstract: James M. Howard is guardian of Alcy J. Shuffield, a minor child. Howard holds in trust for Shuffield three slaves: Mariah, Dinah and Ned. Howard seeks "an order allowing him to hire [said slaves] privately." Result: granted

1862
Abstract: James M. Howard, as guardian of William B. Shuffield, a minor, seeks permission to privately hire out an adult male slave named Gree that belongs to Shuffield. Result: granted.

1862
Abstract: James Howard, as administrator to the estate of Wright J. Shuffield, seeks permission to privately hire out a slave owned by Elizabeth J. Shuffield, a minor heir of Wright Shuffield. Howard claims it would be conducive to the "Safety & comfort" of the slave and also to "the permanent interest of Said Elizabeth J. Shuffield." Result: granted. Slave not named

1862
Abstract: James M. Howard, as administrator of the estate of the late Wright Shuffield, seeks permission to hire out the three slaves belonging to James Shuffield, a minor heir of Wright Shuffield. He claims that this would be in the best interest of Shuffield and the slaves. Result: granted. Slaves not named

1863
Abstract: J. T. Hughs, guardian of J. P. Hughs, asks to be allowed to hire the slaves belonging to the minor privately.
Result: granted

1863
Abstract: Sarah A. Lewis, administratrix of the estate of James R. Lewis, claims that it would be "more conducive to their safety & comfort" if the slaves belonging to the estate could be hired out. She seeks the court's permission to hire out these slaves.
Result: granted

1863
Abstract: John T. Brannan, administrator of the estate of S. B. Murphey, asks to hire out the slaves belonging to the estate permanently.
Result: granted. Slaves not named

1863
Abstract: John T. Brannan, administrator of the estate of Alfred Brannan, asks to hire out the slaves belonging to the estate privately.
Result: granted. Slaves not named

1863
Abstract: George Butler, guardian of Joel Jackson Butler, asks to be able to purchase slaves back from James Knight, who purchased them at public auction from the estate of Joel Butler. A provision in the Joel Butler's will left the slaves to Joel J. Butler, but they were ordered by the court to be sold. Most of  the slaves are young in age, from eighteen months to eight years old. Granted.
Slaves: Choney, female; Dolley; female; Gee; Margarett, female; Mary, female; Serice; Vine, female; Viney, female; Young, male.

1864
Abstract: On the eve of departing home to serve in the Confederate army, George K. Whipple wrote a will making his mother, Eliza Whipple, beneficiary of "all my lands and without reserve and without limitation all my negroes." He named Ira E. Dupree as executor. In this petition, Dupree seeks the court's recognition and recording of the will. Slaves (ages in 1863): Caroline 23; Delia 10; Ellick 13; Esther 30; George 7; Gilbert 5; Guy 40; Harriet 18; Henry 3 mos; Jack 35; Jane 15;
John infant; Mandy 2; Mary 8; Milly 13; Patsy 3; Prudence 40; Tom 20; Walker 11; Will 2; Willis 40
Result: No recorded result

1865
Abstract: Wiley Fordham and R. T. D. Fordham ask the court to record the last will and testament of their father, Benjamin Fordham Sr., who died leaving an estate that includes seventeen slaves. Result: granted. Slaves: Ann 9, Bryant 52, Burrell 8, Denis 15, Dorcas 58, Jacob 8, Jane 10, Judah 72, Len 8, Letty 17,
Manuel 3, Margaret 57, Martha,Mary 7, Nancy 6, Ruben 30, Tony