Rock Mill Plantation, Hancock County, Georgia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Hancock, Georgia, United States
Surnames/tags: Shivers Slavery Black_Heritage

Plantation Page Index

Biography

The story of Rock Mill begins with William Shivers' father, Jonas Shivers, who was born in 1750 and fought in the American Revolutionary War. In 1809 Jonas migrated from North Carolina to Georgia. He was a mill owner and a slave owner. His home was at the center of the small community then named "Shivers", now Mayfield. It had a grist mill, a woolen mill, a store, a tavern, and a stage-stop and post office on the Augusta-to-Milleville stagecoach line.

In 1818, William Shivers, built a grist mill on the west side of the river, in Hancock County, and then a frame house named for the mill, Rock Mill. His mills manufactured cotton goods and wool yarns, and carded wool for the local people. He became rich and had many slaves.^[1]

William O. Shivers passed away in 1852.^[2] The estate^[3] Inventory^[4]

Slaves

See also: Slaves of William Oscar Shivers

The enslaved of William O. Shivers was listed in his probate inventory Dec 1852.^[5]

• Nelson
• Allston
• Turner
• Ted
• Shepherd
• Alfred
• Machelin Dux
• Ellick
• Seabern
• Calvin
• Jim
• Aaron
• Belford
• Big Harriet
• Fanny
• Mary Ann & child
• Lizzy
• Gracy
• Willis
• Edmond
• Washington
• Robert, diseased
• Letty & child
• Raney
• Bussey
• Little Harriet
• George
• William
• Beauford, defect
• Berry
• Henry
• Elbert
• Phillis
• Alsey & child
• Chancey
• Big Jack
• Little Jack
• Arthur

The enslaved that were hired out.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivers-Simpson_House
2. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Wills and administration of estates, 1794-1958; general index, 1793-1900 Vols. R-S 1849-1856
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Hancock > Wills and administration records 1849-1856 vol R-S > image 163 of 607; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 22 January 2022)
3. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Wills and administration of estates, 1794-1958; general index, 1793-1900 Vols. R-S 1849-1856
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Hancock > Wills and administration records 1849-1856 vol R-S > image 415 of 607; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 22 January 2022)
4. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Wills and administration of estates, 1794-1958; general index, 1793-1900 Vols. R-S 1849-1856
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Hancock > Wills and administration records 1849-1856 vol R-S > image 260 of 607; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 22 January 2022)
   • Starts on page 500
5. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Wills and administration of estates, 1794-1958; general index, 1793-1900 Vols. R-S 1849-1856
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Hancock > Wills and administration records 1849-1856 vol R-S > image 261 of 607; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 22 January 2022)
   • Approx 41 enslaved persons in the inventory
6. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Wills and administration of estates, 1794-1958; general index, 1793-1900 Vols. R-S 1849-1856
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Hancock > Wills and administration records 1849-1856 vol R-S > image 267 of 607; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 22 January 2022)