Absalom Madison Janes was born in Wilkes County, Georgia on June 8, 1796. According to an article published in The Daily Constitutionalist and Republic in Augusta, Georgia on October 5, 1847, “… He removed to the eastern part of Green county (now Taliaferro) in 1816, and resided there until 1839, when he removed to Penfield, where he terminated his earthly existence Sept. 25th, 1847, having just entered upon the 52d year of his age.” Absalom married Cordelia Calloway on July 18, 1817 and together they had 11 children. He was a cotton planter, state senator, one of Georgia’s first three millionaires, a founding member of Mercer University and member of the first Board of Trustees, Treasurer of the Georgia Baptist Convention, member of Bethesda Church and then Penfield Church, and according to my DNA results, my 3rd great grandfather.
His Will and an “Appraisement of Negroes” lists the names of 105 enslaved people.
Absalom Janes' Will
Georgia, Greene County Court of Ordinary
Nov Term 1847. The within will proven by the oaths of B. M. Sanders and Peter Northern, two of the witnesses to the same and [unreadable]to be recorded. Recorded in book G pages 59, 60 and 61. 4th Nov 1847. W. L. Strain, Clerk, C.O.
In the name of God amen.
I, Absalom Janes of the county of Greene and state of Georgia, being feeble in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament.
1st. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.
2nd. I have heretofore given to my daughter Cornelia M. Sanders the following negroes big Frank valued at three hundred dollars, Betty at two hundred and fifty, Ann at four hundred and fifty, Mat at five hundred, Lucinda at five hundred, Spencer at six hundred, Willie at five hundred, Betsy at three hundred and fifty, and Frances and child at five hundred dollars – and sundry other article, cash and seven hundred and sixty five dollars – also the land and premises on which my said daughter and my son in law J. Rabun Sanders now reside in the county of Taliaferro, containing seven hundred and forty five acres more or less, valued at fifteen hundred dollars – making a total amount of six thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars, all of which I hereby confirm and for which she shall be accountable at the final divisions of my estate.
3. I have heretofore given to my son Thomas P. Janes the following negroes viz. Turner valued at six hundred dollars, Solomon at six hundred, Mace at five hundred, Lucy at five hundred, Caroline at three hundred and fifty, Hasty at one hundred, Liza at three hundred and Adeline at three hundred dollars, also provisions household furniture valued at five hundred and six five dollars – also the tract of land whereon he now lives in the county of Greene, called the Bunch tract containing five hundred and twenty acres more or less, valued at twenty three hundred dollars and making a total amount of six thousand one hundred and fifteen dollars – all of which I hereby confirm, and for which he shall account at the final division of my estate.
4. I have heretofore given to my daughter Nancy W. McWhorter the following negroes viz. Erin valued at five hundred and fifty dollars, Margaret at two hundred and fifty, Martha at two hundred and fifty, Elbert at four hundred, Hester at four hundred and fifty, Julia at four hundred and fifty, Bill at three hundred and fifty, and John at five hundred dollars – also sundry other articles and cash at five hundred dollars – also a house and lot in Penfield whereon my son in law R. L. McWhorter now lives, valued at seventeen hundred and fifty dollars – making a total amount of five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars, all of which I hereby confirm unto my son in law R. L. McWhorter and no more.
5. I hereby give and bequeath to my grandson R. L. McWhorter, son of my 2nd daughter, twenty five shares of stock in the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, and this shall be in full of his interest in my estate.
6. I hereby give and bequeath to my daughter Mary E. Janes to be paid over to her as soon as she shall become of age or marry the following negroes viz. Thomton valued at five hundred and fifty dollars, Amanda and child Sally at six hundred, Jane at five hundred, Alsey at three hundred, Polly at two hundred fifty, yellow John at five hundred, Jordan at four hundred and fifty, Caroline Mercer at four hundred and fifty, Amanda’s sons at two hundred and fifty, Chaney’s Caty at two hundred dollars, and in money or unexceptionably good notes, an amount sufficient with the above to make six thousand dollars – and money or notes to be paid over to her as soon as practicable after she becomes of age or marries – all of which she shall account for at the final settlement of my estate.
7. It is my will and desire that as soon as my debts are paid there shall be a final division of all my estate except the land and houses and lots – between my children Cornelia M. Sanders, Thomas P. Janes, Mary E. Janes, Felix W. Janes, Susan H. Janes, and Cordelia F. Janes, all to share alike, having the aforementioned specific legacies included in said divisions, and including my son in law R. L. McWhorter and also my grandson R. L. McWhorter from any part of said divisions.
8. It is my will and desire that my three younger children Felix W. Janes, Susan H. and Cordelia F. be supported and educated out of my estate till said divisions takes place and exchanged with said expenses in said divisions.
9. It is my will and desire that the shares of my three younger children be kept together in common stock till one of them becomes of age or marries and that each one shall draw his or her share as he or she becomes of age or marries.
10. It is my will and desire that my Executors have seven years to dispose of my real estate, and to sell it at public or private sale, and in such parcel and at such times as they may deem most expedient, under the direction of the Court of Ordinary; with the discretion, if they think it best, to reserve a sufficient amount, on which to work the negroes of the said three younger children, to be valued to them by commissioners appointed by the court.
11th. It is my will and desire that if any of my children dies in their minority, or without children of their own to heir their portions of my estate, that their said portions shall be divided, share and share alike between all my children that are there in life.
12th. It is my will and desire that my daughter Mary E. Janes be supported out of my estate till she shall receive her aforementioned specific legacy and shall account for the expense of the same at the final division of the estate.
13. I do hereby constitute and ordain my son Thomas P. Janes and my son in law James Rabun Sanders my Executors to execute this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I do hereby acknowledge the aforegoing four pages written three on the first sheet and one on the last to be my last will and testament, ordaining and confirming it by affixing hereunto my hand and seal this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord 1847.
Absalom Janes
In witness to the signature of the foregoing we have hereunto set our names.
B. M. Sanders
Peter Northern
P. H. Mell
Georgia, Greene County, Court of Ordinary, Nov. Term 1847
Personally appeared in open court Billington M. Sanders and Peter Northern two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Absalom Janes dec’d and on oath say that they saw him sign seal and ordain the same to be his last will and testament and that they believed him to be of perfect sound mind and memory at the time of his signing the same, and that P. H. Mell a subscribing witness to the same signed in their presence, that they signed the same in each others presence and in the presence of the Testator.
B. M. Sanders
Peter Northern
Sworn to in open court this 1 November 1847. W. L. Thain, Clerk, C.O
Appraisement of Negroes
Randle, aged 52, $350
Lele, aged 42, $300
Osborne, aged 19, $600
Charles, aged 13, $450
Hannah, aged 15, $375
Sarah, aged 11, $375
Riley, aged 10, $360
DeLeley, aged 8, $300
Betsy, aged 6, $250
Jesse, aged 3, $175
Miller Tom, aged 47, $450
Sally, aged 45, $300
Lydia, aged 19, $450
Lewis, aged 7, Burned, $100
Rhody, aged 2, $150
Big Charles, aged 42, $500
Cherry, aged 45, $300
Ely, aged 14, $400
Little Henry, aged 4, $200
Peter, aged 18 months, $150
Levy, aged 28y, $500
Lucy and Tarlton, aged 22 and 3 months, $600
Easter, aged 4, $200
Raney, aged 31, $400
Famous, aged 14, $460
Rachel, aged 11y, $325
Raney Charles, aged 7, $300
Anna, aged 5, $250
Sophronia, aged 1, $100
Sophy, aged 45, $325
Jack, aged 15, $475
Judy, aged 9, $300
Katy, aged 7, $250
Sam, aged 58, $100
Jane, aged 10, $325
Big Caroline and child Nancy, aged 23 and 6 m, $550
Joe, aged 36, $550
Adah, aged 40, $310
Nathan, aged 31, deformed hand, $500
Dice, aged 28, $450
Mariah, aged 10, $325
Delphy, aged 35, $325
Almyra, aged 10, $325
Adam, aged 38, $300
Stephen, 43 one leg, $225
Edmond, aged 32, Ruptured, $300
Willis, aged 28, $600
Mark, aged 23, $600
Little Moses, aged 21, $450
Primul, aged 36, $100
George, aged 15, $450
Hixy, aged 11, $375
Bob, aged 13, $425
Abe, aged 13, $350
Ellick, age 26, $525
Lewis, aged 23, $600
Patsy Caroline, aged 16, $500
Eliza, aged 26, $300
Sarah/Eliza child, aged 2 years, $50
Barbary, aged 50, $250
Henry, aged 20, $550
Ace, aged 31, $500
Rose, aged 17, $500
Marium, aged 11, $325
Lizzy, aged 70, $100
Nelly, aged 70, $100
Old Moses, aged 52, minus $100
Retter, aged 60, minus $50
Dec. 3rd, 1847
B. M. Sanders, Peter Northern, William Daniel, H. H. Watts, Appraisers
The two notices below ran in local newspapers and describe Absalom’s plantation.
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Notice from The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, August 12, 1854 (click to enlarge) |
Notice.—Will be sold, in accordance with the last Will and Testament of Absalom Janes, deceased, on the first Tuesday in October next, between the lawful hours of sale, if not previously disposed of by private sale, the following property, to wit:
A Dwelling house and Lot, in the town of Penfield, formerly occupied by said deceased, containing four acres, more or less. This is one of the most pleasantly situated residences in the village. The house is well built, of the best materials and neatly finished, there being two well finished cellars, eight spacious rooms, well ventilated, besides two convenient rooms in the garret. The plan of the building is such, that it may be occupied either for a private residence or public boarding house.
Also, a vacant Building Lot, adjoining, containing four acres, more or less.
Also, eight acres of Land, more or less, immediately in the rear of said Lots.
Also, fifty acres of Land, lying south-east, and a short distance from Penfield, adjoining lands of S. T. Peek, Esq., Phillip Robinson, and others.
Also, at the same time, a Storo House and Lot, in Penfield, located in the most business part of the place, now occupied by Stephen English, Esq., and formerly by Messrs. Wilburn & M’Whorter.
Terms made known on the same of sale.THOS. P. JANES, JAS. R. SANDERS, Executors.August 10, 1854
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Sale of Real Estate, Planters’ Weekly, Greenesboro, Georgia, September 5, 1860 (click to enlarge) |
SALE OF REAL ESTATE. By an Order of Greene county, will be sold on the first TUESDAY IN NOVEMBER next, before the Court House in Greenesboro, Greene County, (if not previously sold at private sale) the Tract of Land lying on Little River, in said county, whereon Col. Absalom Janes formerly lived, and now belonging to the two Minor Heirs of A. Janes, deceased, containing about (2650) Twenty-six Hundred and Fifty acres. Said settlement of land is one of the most valuable in Middle Georgia, containing a very large proportion of bottom land, in a high state of cultivation, and also a large proportion of wood land.The improvements on the place are all that could be desired for planting or farming purposes. The plantation is in first rate repair, in every particular. Persons desiring to purchase would do well to call and examine. Mr. A. King on the place will show all the points to any one desiring to purchase. Sold for the purpose of division.Terras.—One Third payable on the 25th of December 1860; One Third due on the 25th December 1861; and One Third payable on the 25th December, 1862, with interest from 25th December, 1860 on the two last payments.Any further information can be had by applying to Mr. Albert King on the place, or by letter to either of the undersigned, at Penfield, Georgia.THOMAS P. JANES, JAMES A. SANDERS, Ex’rs.September 3d, 1860.
Colored Church
Absalom’s will also contains a document showing he donated money to build a church for the “Colored people in the Town of Penfield.”
Penfield November 28th 1847
Absalom Janes
To the building Committee for the Colored Church –
For his subscriptions for building Church for the benefit of the Colored people in the Town of Penfield -- $50.00
Georgia, Greene County. In person appeared before me Lemuel Greene (owner of the Committee appointed for the Baptist Church in Penfield) for building a Church in said Town for the benefit of the Colored people, that Absalom Janes subscribed the amount stated in the above account with his own proper hands, and this deponent saith upon oath that the above account as it stands stated is just and true.
Sworn to before me this 29 of November 1847.
James M. Porter, J.P.
Lemuel Greene
No. 4
Absalom Janes to the Colored Church
$50.00
Dec 1st 1847
Rec’d of the Executions of Col. Absalom Janes dec’d fifty dollars in full of the within account this Dec 1st 1847.
Lemuel Greene, Ch
By Jas M Porter
References
- Absalom Janes will, Georgia, Greene County Court of Ordinary, November 1847.
- Absalom Janes, 1796–1847, Georgia Baptist Convention historical marker, Janes Family Cememtery, Greene County, Georgia.
- Bryant, Jonathan M., How Curious a Land: Conflict and Change in Greene County, Georgia, 1850–1885, 1996.
- Death of Col. Absalom Janes, The Daily Constitutionalist and Republic, Augusta, Georgia, October 5, 1847.
- Rice, Thaddeus Brockett, History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886, 1961.
- Notice, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, August 12, 1854.
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