Slaves of Joseph Stephens, Georgia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Meriwether, Georgia, United States
Surnames/tags: slavery black_heritage Stephens

The purpose of this page is to unite descendants of those enslaved by Joseph Stephens with their ancestors.

Census & Slave Schedules

1850 slave schedule shows Joseph Stephens with 15 slaves in Meriwether County, Georgia.^[1]

Female Ages: 28, 27, 26, 11, 10, 8, 7, 5, 1

Male Ages: 32, 12, 6, 5, 4, 3

1860 slave schedule shows Joseph Stephens with 22 slaves in Meriwether County, Georgia.^[2]

Female Ages: 40, 40, 40, 20, 20, 18, 18, 2, 2, 8 months, 3 months

Male Ages: 60, 40, 20, 16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 7, 6, 3

Probate Inventory

According to his will, signed August 22, 1861, all his negro property (unnamed) was to be divided equally between the following heirs:

^[3]

• William Stephens
• Polly Phillips
• Synthia F Alman
• Joseph Stephens
• Permelia S Brooks
• Frances Williams, grandchild - child of Sealy Ann Grant
• Mobery A Grant, grandchild - child of Sealy Ann Grant

Inventory of Joseph Stephens' estate was taken in January of 1862.^[4]

Slave	Description	Age	Estimated Birth Year	Assessed Value
Isam		60	1802	$ 330
Jack		45	1817	$ 700
Harriet	mother of 2	40	1822	$ 900
Lucy	daughter of Harriet	3	1859	with mother
Kit	child of Harriet	1.5	1860	with mother
Sarah		40	1822	$ 600
Ann		40	1822	$ 550
Henry		24	1838	$ 900
Ben		18	1844	$ 1000
Julia	mother of 3	20	1842	$ 2000
Marshall	child of Julia	4	1858	with mother
Fanny	child of Julia	2	1860	with mother
Aleck	child of Julia	0.5	1861	with mother
Phillis	mother of 3	23	1839	$ 2200
Osborn	child of Phillis	4	1858	with mother
Hetty	child of Phillis	3	1859	with mother
Mary Ann	child of Phillis	1	1861	with mother
Elvy		19	1843	$ 1000
Caroline		17	1845	$ 1100
Marshall		16	1846	$ 1000
Isham		14	1848	$ 1100
Charles		13	1849	$ 1200
Green		13	1849	$ 900
Berry		8	1854	$ 800
Ples		6	1856	$ 500

Sources

1. ↑ 1850 Census: "1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
   The National Archive in Washington Dc; Washington, DC; NARA Microform Publication: M432; Title: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8055 #92545038 (accessed 5 February 2023)
   Joseph Stephens in Division 59, Meriwether, Georgia, USA.
2. ↑ 1860 Census: "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
   The National Archives in Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Eighth Census of the United States 1860; Series Number: M653; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7668 #92676926 (accessed 5 February 2023)
   Joseph Stephens in Meriwether, Georgia, USA.
3. ↑ Will: "Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992"
   Wills 1831-1903 (Meriwether County, Georgia); Author: Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Meriwether County); Probate Place: Meriwether, Georgia
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 8635 #217716 (accessed 11 December 2023)
   Will of Joseph Stephens of Meriwether, Georgia, granted probate on 22 Aug 1861.
4. ↑ Probate Inventory Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Meriwether County, Returns, Vol E, 1858-1863, page 539, image 313 Ancestry.com Link