Colonial Marriages

Since there were practically no marriage records for the colonial period of Georgia, any reference to a marriage that was to take place or had been performed, is welcomed by genealogists.
While examining the eight volumes of "Miscellaneous Bonds, etc.", 52 marriage agreements were found.
According to the laws of that time, when a woman married, all of her property became the property of her husband.
The only way around this, was to have a marriage agreement by which her property was turned over to a trustee or trustees, before the marriage took place.
This had to be agreeable to her prospective husband.
Some of these agreements were quite long, since arrangements were made as to the disposition of her property in case she or he died first.
An agreement was only made when the "bride" had considerable property. There were 29 "spinsters" and 23 widows.
It will be noticed that often the agreement would not be recorded until several years after it had been drawn up and signed.
Four of the agreements were between residents of South Carolina, yet the record was filed at Savannah, Ga.
Three of these Ambros Barr, James Bullock and William Butler - appear later as residents of Georgia. Nathaniel Miller who married Elizabeth Colson
of Colleton Co., S. C, was a resident of St. Georges Parish, Georgia. William Colson, brother of Elizabeth and trustee for her property, later moved to St. Georges Parish. Ga.

GEORGE BAILLIE, merchant, Savannah, with JOURDAINA CUNNYNGHAM CROOKE, spinster, youngest daughter of Clement Crooke, deed. (Isle of St. Christopher and Savannah). Trustees: Chas. Cain (late of Island of St. Christopher but now of Christ Church Par., Ga.), and Heriot Crooke, widow and mother of Jourdaina, Savannah, to handle the L 600 held for Jourdaina by Daniel Cunnyngham (of St. Christopher but now of Great Britain). Wit.: Jas. Mossman, John Martin and Frances Graham. Nov. 25, 1766 (recorded Feb. 22, 1771) (R, p. 453) In a deed dated Apl. 17, 1770, Geo. Baillie gave certain property to his wife, formerly Jourdaina Cunnyngham Crooke. (R, pp. 88, 452, KK, p. 96)

ROBERT BAILLIE, Commandant of Fort Barrington, with ANN McINTOSH, dau. of Capt. John Mcintosh, St. Andrews Par. Wit.: Thos. Bosomworth, John Mackentosh. July 20, 1761 (recorded Dec. 22, 1766) (HH, p. 64)

AMBROSE BARR, carpenter, S. C, with FRANCES HUBBARD, widow of John Hubbard, planter, S.C. Trustee: Wm. Ledbetter, S.C. Mentioned: John Hubbard, infant son of Frances. Wit; John Glen, Atty., Savannah, Lewis Johnson, Jr. July 26, 1770. (recorded Jan. 3, 1773) (Y-l, p. 88)

NATHAN BROWNSON, doctor of physick, St. Johns Par., Ga., with ELIZABETH McLEAN, widow, Christ Church Par., Ga. Trustees: Benj. Andrews, Sr., St. Johns Par., Ga., and Josiah Dupont, planter, S. C. Wit.: Thos. Tallonach, Jean Hatcher. Apl. 10, 1776. (HH, p. 16)

DAVID BRYDIE, Practicioner of Physick, Savannah, with MARTHA ELLIS, spinster, Savannah. Trustee: Thomas Reid, merchant, Savannah. Wit.: Will Stephens, Thos. Ellis. Jan. 1, 1770. (R, p. 353)

JAMES BULLOCK, gentleman, St. Peters Par., Granville Co., S. C., with MRS. ANN GRAHAM, widow, Joseph's Town, Ga. Wit.: Henry Chiffelle, Purysburg, S.C, Patrick Mackay, and Peter Lafitte, Ga. Jan. 1, 1758. (recorded June 22, 1764) (O, p. 180)

WILLIAM BUTLER, merchant, Berkeley Co., S.C, with ELIZABETH ELLIOTT, spinster, dau. of Wm. Elliott, deed., planter, Colleton Co., S.C. Trustees: Thos. Elliott and Elisha Butler, Colleton Co., S. C. Part of her estate inherited from her grandfather, Thomas Elliott. Names her brothers: Stephen and Wm. Elliott; sister Mary Elliott (all under age.) Dec. 10, 1748. (recorded in Savannah Mar. 3, 1749) (J. P. 409)

THOMAS CAMBER, planter, Savannah, with DOROTHY BUTLER, spinster, Great Ogeechee. Trustees: Elisha Butler, Great Ogeechee and Jas. Read, Savannah. Wit.: Eliz. Butler, Jno. Maxwell. Apl. 10, 1762. (recorded Jan. 31, 1774) (Y-l, p. 237)

THOMAS CHISHOLM, with MARY SPENCER, widow, Savannah. Trustee: Shem Butler, St. Philips Par., Ga. for 8 slaves from estate of Mary's father, Joseph Butler, deed. Names Mary's children: John, Joseph, Hannah, and Mary Spencer. Wit.: Jas. H. Casey, Wm. Jones. Aug. 9, 1776. (Y-2, p. 487)

SETH JOHN CUTHBERT, with CATHARINE EUSTACE, Feb. 8, 1779. Jean Watts, widow of Robert Watts, Savannah, made a sworn statement on July 1, 1780 at Charleston, S.C, that Catharine Cuthbert (since deceased), on board of a vessel lying at Tybee, had stated on June 21, 1780 that she had given all of her estate, by a marriage agreement, to her mother, MARGARET EUSTACE. (JJ, p. 285)

ANDREW DARLING, merchant, St. Johns Parish, with JEAN BAILLIE, seamstress, dau. of Kenneth Baillie, Sr. Trustee: Kenneth Baillie, planter; James McKay, planter; Elizabeth Baillie (wife of Kenneth, Sr.); and Kenneth Baillie, Jr. Wit.: Judith Carr, John Baker, and Benj. Baker. Sept. 10, 1764. In 1771, Elizabeth Powell and Jas. Mackay were the trustees. The will of Kenneth Baillie, Sr. was mentioned. (R, p. 547)

PETER DEAN, merchant, Savannah, with MARY TRUAN, spinster, only dau. of David Truan, deed., planter, Christ Church Parish. Trustees: Jas. Mossman, Savannah; George Houston, Christ Church Par.; Jas. Robertson, Savannah; and John Wallace, merchant, Savannah. Wit.: Alex McGown, Root. Moodie. Nov. 2, 1780. (recorded Dec. 22, 1783) (Dd.Bk. 3B, p. 126)

DANIEL DEMETRE, mariner, with ANN HARRIS, widow. Agreement made Apl. 2, 1752 but not recorded until Feb. 20, 1755. Trustees: Anna Salter (mother of Ann Harris and who died in 1753); Jas. Habersham; Noble Jones; and Thos. Rasberry. William Thomas Harris, son of Ann, mentioned in agreement which was found in Ann's will, probated Aug. 2, 1759. (J, p. 198)

JOSEPH FARLEY, with JEAN NISBIT JOHNSON, spinster, eldest dau. of Lewis Johnson. In a deed dated Dec. 2, 1783, from Jean Nisbit Farley, widow, St. Augustine, East Florida, to James Houston, Savannah, Ga., a marriage agreement, dated Oct. 31, 1768, is mentioned as being between Joseph Farley, merchant, Savannah, with Jean Nisbit Johnson. Trustees: John Graham and Clement Martin, Jr. (Dd.Bk. 3B, p. 266)

THOMAS FRASER, planter, Vernonburgh, Ga., with CATHARINE MOSER, widow of Lucas Moser, planter, Goshen, and formerly widow of Jacob Kiebler. Mentions her son and the children of Thos. Fraser, but not named. Apl. 2, 1764. (recorded Jan. 27, 1768) (R, pp. 160, 163)

CHRISTIAN FRY, planter, Christ Church Par., Ga., with SUSANNAH DAWSON. His property, after his death, to go to his children by his first wife, except one-third of a lot in Acton which goes to his dau. Mary Fry. Wit.: Humphrey Harrison, Daniel Fox, and Geo. B. Spencer. Mar. 20, 1781. (CCC, p. 11; KK, p. 231)

PETER FRANCIS GRENIER, taylor, Savannah, with LOUISE CATHARINE RAVOL, widow of Gabriel Ravol, St. Peters Par., S.C. Trustee: Jos. Dunlap, carpenter, Savannah. Jan. 5, 1773. (Y-l, p. 186)

ROBERT HAMILTON, Savannah, with ANN RASBERRY, spinster (under 21 years), youngest dau. of Thomas Rasberry, deed., merchant. Trustees: Jos. Clay and Philip Box, merchants, Savannah. Property of Thos. Rasberry to be divided between Ann Rasberry, her sister Esther Rasberry, and Thomas' widow, Ann Rasberry, now Ann Miliedge. Aug. 7, 1772. (Y-l, p. 51)

WILLIAM HARDEN, planter, Pr. William Par., Granville Co., S.C, with SARAH PERKINS, widow, Pr. Wm. Par., S.C. Wit.: John Martin, Chas. Murray. Jan. 18, 1777. (O, p. 198)

JAMES HERBERT, merchant, St. Georges Par., Ga., with CATHARINE BUTLER. Trustee: John Gasper Griner, the elder, planter, St. Geo. Par. Wit.: Henry Cuyler, Savannah. Oct. 14, 1776. (Y-2, p. 493)

ALEXANDER HOGG, merchant, Charleston, S.C, with EUNICE BRISBANE, widow of William Brisbane, merchant, Charleston, S.C. Trustees: Wm. Alexander Brisbane and Andrew Hewet, merchants, Charleston, S.C. Wit.: Martha Stephens and Mary Smith, Savannah. July 17, 1773. (recorded July 26, 1774) (Y-2, p. 279)

PHILIP HUGHES, mariner, Christ Church Par., Ga., with MARY WILKINS, spinster, dau. of Archibald Wilkins, deed., Ch. Church Par., Ga. Trustee: Henry Yonge. Wit.: Claudia Kelsall and Chas. Pryce, Jr. Mentions Samuel and Mary Wilkins as Admin, of estate of Archibald Wilkins. July 12, 1765. (recorded July 13, 1769) (R, p. 280)

JOHN IRVINE, Practioner of Physick and Surgery, St. Johns Par., Ga., with ANN

ELIZABETH BAILLIE, seamstress, dau. of Kenneth Baillie. Trustees: Kenneth Baillie, his wife Elizabeth, his son Kenneth Baillie and Jas. McKay, planter. Sept. 5, 1765. On Mar. 1, 1770, trustees: Elizabeth Powell and Jas. Mackay signed. (Evidently Kenneth Baillie, Sr. had died and his widow remarried to a Mr. Powell-whd) (R, p. 548)

WILLIAM JONES, Attorney, Savannah, with HENRIETTA BOURQUIN, widow and dau. of Henry Bourquin, Christ Church Par., Ga. Trustee: John Fox, Ch. Church Par. Wit.: W. Keall, Peter Hy Morel. Aug. 14, 1779. (JJ, pp. 186, 207)

WILLIAM LAMBERT, carpenter, Savannah, with ELIZABETH HUGHES, widow of Nathaniel Hughes, planter, Christ Church Par., Ga. Trustees: Ambrose Wright and Mathew Roche, Savannah. Feb. 7,1777. (Y-2, p. 517)

BENJAMIN LLOYD, gentleman, Savannah, with MARY MORELL, spinster dau. of John Morell, deed., Savannah. Trustee: William Bryan, surgeon. Wit.: Ann Eaton. Mentions Mary's sister Ann Morell, deed, and a minor. Mar. 20, 1783. (CCC, p. 224)

ADRIAN LOYER, gunsmith, Savannah, with MARY BATES, spinster, Savannah.

ADRIAN LOYER, gunsmith, Savannah, with MARY BATES, spinster, Savannah. Trustee: Wm. Knox, who sold house in 1762 to Chas. Pryce. Jan. 9, 1760. (recorded Apl. 25, 1768) (R, p. 196)

ROBERT McKNIGHT, with MARY ANN RAHN (or Rand or Rhand), widow, Little Ogeechee. Trustee: Henry Bourquin. Wit.: John McLean and John Davis. Apl. 27, 1771. (recorded May 10, 1775) (Y-2, p. 381)

SAMUEL MARCER, gentleman. Savannah, with ELIZABETH TISDALE, widow of John Tisdale, Savannah. Trustee: Patrick Graham, Josephtown, Ga. Oct. 27, 1752. (recorded June 17, 1761). One witness in 1761 swore that Elizabeth was "now the wife of Charles Pryce. (J, p. 497)

ANDREW MAXTON, merchant, Savannah, with ANN McDONALD, spinster, Sapelo St. Andrews Par., Ga. (only child and heir of Alexander McDonald, deed.) Trustee: John Perkins, surgeon, Savannah, Ga. Wit.: Angus Mcintosh, Angus McKay. Mar. 20, 1765. (R, p. 21)

JOHN MILLEDGE, Savannah, with ANN RASBERRY, widow of Thomas Rasberry. Jan. 25, 1760. John Milledge sold to Jas. Habersham, as trustee, silverware in trust for Ann's two daughters: Esther and Ann Rasberry, as per triparte agreement made in 1760. Wit.: John Robertson and Wm. Fox. Oct. 25, 1770. (R, p. 419)

NATHANIEL MILLER, planter, St. Georges Par., Ga., with ELIZABETH COLSON, S.C. Trustees: Elizabeth's brother William Colson, planter, S.C. and Thos. Trustee: Wm. Knox, who sold house in 1762 to Chas. Pryce. Jan. 9, 1760. (recorded Apl. 25, 1768) (R, p. 196)

ROBERT McKNIGHT, with MARY ANN RAHN (or Rand or Rhand), widow. Little Ogeechee. Trustee: Henry Bourquin. Wit.: John McLean and John Davis. Apl. 27, 1771. (recorded May 10, 1775) (Y-2, p. 381)

SAMUEL MARCER, gentleman, Savannah, with ELIZABETH TISDALE, widow of John Tisdale, Savannah. Trustee: Patrick Graham, Josephtown, Ga. Oct. 27, 1752. (recorded June 17, 1761). One witness in 1761 swore that Elizabeth was "now the wife of Charles Pryce. (J, p. 497)

ANDREW MAXTON, merchant. Savannah, with ANN McDONALD, spinster, Sapelo, St. Andrews Par., Ga. (only child and heir of Alexander McDonald, deed.) Trustee-. John Perkins, surgeon, Savannah, Ga. Wit.: Angus Mcintosh, Angus McKay. Mar. 20, 1765. (R, p. 21)

JOHN MILLEDGE, Savannah, with ANN RASBERRY, widow of Thomas Rasberry. Jan. 25, 1760. John Milledge sold to Jas. Habersham, as trustee, silverware in trust for Ann's two daughters: Esther and Ann Rasberry, as per triparte agreement made in 1760. Wit.: John Robertson and Wm. Fox. Oct. 25, 1770. (R, p. 419)

NATHANIEL MILLER, planter, St. Georges Par., Ga„ with ELIZABETH COLSON, S.C. Trustees: Elizabeth's brother William Colson, planter, S.C. and Thos. Burrington, Savannah. Wit.: Robert and Sarah Bevill, Halifax (St. Georges Par.), Ga. Sept. 6, 1759. (J, p. 300)

PHILIP MINIS, merchant. Savannah, with JUDITH POLOCK, Newport, R.I. Trustee: Josiah Tattnall, Savannah. Wit.: Jacob Jacobs and Wm. Gibbons, Jr. July 14. 1774. (recorded Nove. 24, 1784) (O, p. 177)

JOHN MOREL, merchant, Christ Church Par., Ga., with MARY BRYAN, spinster, dau. of Jonathan Bryan. Trustees: Josiah and William Bryan (sons of Jonathan). Wit.: Benj. Waddall and Jeremiah Campher. Mentioned: Hannah and Ann Bryan, two other daus. of Jonathan Bryan. Jan. 24, 1767. (recorded Dec. 30, 1775) (Y-2, pp.467, 472)

BARNANT MOSES, merchant, Savannah, with ESTHER DELEGAL, dau. of Isaac Delegal, merchant. Savannah. Trustee: Mordacai Sheftall. Marriage to be on Sept. 24th Mentioned: Her uncle, Jacob Tobias, deed., of Charleston, S.C. Dec. 16, 1777. (HH, p. 54)

CLEMENT NASH, North Caroline, with SARAH PA RSI EN A MAXWELL, widow of Capt. Thomas Maxwell. Trustees: John Elliott and Jas. Cockran. Wit.: Thos. Maxwell, Jr., Henry Wool, and Dan. Slade. Apl. 29, 1777. (HH, p. 32)

CHRISTOPHER PETERS, carpenter, Christ Church Par., Ga., with URSULA ONSELL. Trustee: John Eppinger, bricklayer, Christ Church Par. Wit.: Daniel On sell, Stephen Miller. Feb. 25, 1765. (O, p. 300)

CHARLES PRYCE, with ELIZABETH (TISDALE) MARCER. In a deed dated Nov. 9, 1759 from Elizabeth Pryce and William Clifton to Charles Pryce, mention is made of a marriage agreement dated Dec. 7, 1757 between Elizabeth Marcer, widow of Samuel Marcer, and former widow of John Tisdale (who made his will May 2, 1752) with Chas. Pryce, gentleman, Savannah, in which she put her property in trust under Wm. Clifton, Savannah. Wit.: Will Knox, Henry Hamilton, Chas. Watson. (Dd.Bk. S, p.231)

CORNELIUS RAIN, with MARGARET LUCAS, widow. Sept. 22. 1763. (recorded in St. Johns Par., Ga.) (O, p. 255)

NICHOLAS RIGBYE, Savannah, with MRS. SARAH MILLEDGE, Savannah, married Jan. 4, 1742 by Rev. Henry Chiffelle, Purysburg, S.C. Newdigate Stephens stated on Dec. 17, 1755 that he "gave her away." The following evidently taken from a family Bible: Elizabeth Rigbye, dau. of Nicholas and Sarah Rigbye, bom Dec. 9, 1742; Sarah, 2nd dau. of Nicholas and Sarah Rigbye, born Jan. 25, 1744. (J, p. 298)

JAMES RUTHERFORD, St. Johns Par., Ga., with MARY BINTNEY, spinster, same Par. Aug. 5, 1763. (O, p. 170)

JAMES SIMPSON, with WINIFRED MAHONEY. Wit.: John Satterford and Eliz. Farquhar. June 28, 1780. (recorded July 7, 1781) (KK, p. 119)

JOHN SIMPSON, Sabine Fields, Ga.. with ANNA McKENZIE, dau. of William McKenzie, Savannah. Trustees: James Simpson, Charleston, S.C, James Read and Edward Telfair, Savannah, Ga. Wit.: John and Wm. Houston. July 4, 1772. (recorded Apl. 28, 1778) (HH, p. 84)

JAMES SPAULDING, Frederica, St. James Par.. Ga., with MARJORY McINTOSH, spinster, dau. of William Mcintosh, St. Andrews Par. Trustees: William Mcintosh, Sir Patrick Houston, St. Andrews Par., and Roger Kelsall, Sunbury. Wit.: Robt. Baillie and Geo. Mcintosh. Nov. 5, 1772. (recorded Feb. 16, 1784) (KK, pp. 175,177)

WILLIAM SWINTON, gentleman, Savannah, with SARAH BARON, widow, relict and executrix of Robert Baron, minister of the gospel, Bartholomew Par., Colleton Co., S.C. Trustee: Joseph Fabian, planter, Colleton Co.. S.C. Wit.: I. Tonge. Lyman Hall, and Mary Ann Dorn. June 11, 1766. (R, pp. 62, 67)

ROBERT CAMPBELL THOMSON, late of Philadelphia but now of Lighthouse, as Quarter Master, with ESTHER IRWIN, widow of Joseph Irwin, vintner. Trustees: Robert Rae of Augusta, and Robt. McCorneck of Savannah. Land (350 acres) on Brier Cr., Burke Co., Ga. which was bought in 1774 from Wm. O1 Bryan. Esther's children: Abraham, Ann, and Alexander Tweedie (by Robt. Tweedie); Mary and Robert Irwin (by Joseph Irwin). May 3, 1778. (HH, p. 90; KK, p. 284)

PARMENAS WAY, St. Johns Par., Ga., with SARAH QUITMAN, widow of John Quitman, St. Johns Par. Trustees: Thomas and Robert Quitman of St. Andrews Par., and William Quitman of St. Johns Par. Wit.: John Winn and John Bacon. Names Elizabeth, dau. of Sarah. June 8, 1772. (recorded Nov. 3, 1772) (Y-l, p. 61)

PARMENAS WAY, St. Johns Par., Ga., with ELIZABETH BAKER, widow of Richard Baker, St. Johns Par. Trustees: Benj. Andrew, Robt. Quarterman, Edward Way and Jos. Macgowen, planters, St. Johns Par. Wit.: John and Susanna Andrew. Nov. 11, 1776. (Y-2, p. 500)

JOHN WINN, planter, St. Johns Par., with LYDIA SANDERS, widow of William Sanders. Trustees: Benj. and James Andrew of St. Johns Par. Wit.: Wm. Baker, John Osgood and John Lupton. A pew in chapel at Ponpon, S.C. mentioned. Aug. 12, 1766. (recorded Oct. 28, 1773) (Y-l, pp. 220,221; p. 171 crossed out)

JOHN WOOD, merchant, Savannah, with LALEAH JOHNSON, spinster, dau. of Lewis Johnson, Savannah. Trustees: Lewis Johnson, Jas. Robertson of Savannah, and Wm. Moss, merchant of St. Augustine, E. Fla. Wit.: Peter Edwards and Wm. Grindrod. Apl. 3, 1780. (KK, p. 29)

HERNY YONGE, the younger, Savannah, with MARY POWELL, spinster, Savannah. Trustees: James Edward Powell, Wm. Greames, Henry Yonge, Sr. Wit.: Wm. Powell, Eliza Powell and Sarah Gag. May 20, 1768. (Y-l, p. 187)

PHILIP YONGE, son of Henry Yonge, Skidaway Island, Christ Church Par., Ga., with CHRISTIAN McKENZIE, spinster, dau. of William McKenzie, deed. Trustees: Jas. Deveax, Christian McKenzie (widow of William), and John James. July 5, 1775. (recorded Sept. 19, 1780) (KK, p. 64)

Source: Colonial Georgia Genealogical Data 1748 to 1783 by William H. Dumont 1971