Henry Sills
Last wills and testaments for freedmen are rare, yet Henry and Nicey Sills ensured a storied legacy of endurance and success against all odds and safeguarded a financial legacy for the next generations. Born around 1840 in Georgia, Henry Sills was brought to the Auburn area in the early 1850’s by his enslaver—likely Henry C. Sills. Given Henry’s light complexion, his shared name with his enslaver, and the all-to-common practice of slave rape, Henry’s enslaver may also be his father.
Like many enslaved people, not much is known about Henry’s life before emancipation, but soon following, Henry exercised his right to vote and married Nicey. Despite never learning to read and write, Henry and Nicey found success through hard work and determination. By 1880, they owned a 20-acre farm just southeast of Baptist Hill Cemetery. They also owned 4 cows, 10 pigs, 6 chickens, and farmed 5 acres of corn and 8 acres of cotton. Over time, they purchased at least another 16 acres and four additional lots including a lot on Auburn Drive next to Ebenezer Baptist Church—the first African American Church in Auburn--and another lot on Magnolia Street two blocks from Toomer’s Corner. Throughout his life, Henry remained an avid farmer.
Financial success followed Henry and Nicey; however, they still received their share of heartbreak. Of the nine children bore to them, all except Annie Lee would die before thirty years of age. Understanding that life is fleeting, and no one is promised tomorrow, Henry and Nicey secured their properties and possessions to their daughter Annie Lee, daughter-in-law Bessie, and grandchildren Bennie Mae, Anna, and Leila by legally recording their last will and testament. Henry passed away on October 5th, 1915 and Nicey followed 6-years later on November 12th.
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Like many enslaved people, not much is known about Henry’s life before emancipation, but soon following, Henry exercised his right to vote and married Nicey. Despite never learning to read and write, Henry and Nicey found success through hard work and determination. By 1880, they owned a 20-acre farm just southeast of Baptist Hill Cemetery. They also owned 4 cows, 10 pigs, 6 chickens, and farmed 5 acres of corn and 8 acres of cotton. Over time, they purchased at least another 16 acres and four additional lots including a lot on Auburn Drive next to Ebenezer Baptist Church—the first African American Church in Auburn--and another lot on Magnolia Street two blocks from Toomer’s Corner. Throughout his life, Henry remained an avid farmer.
Financial success followed Henry and Nicey; however, they still received their share of heartbreak. Of the nine children bore to them, all except Annie Lee would die before thirty years of age. Understanding that life is fleeting, and no one is promised tomorrow, Henry and Nicey secured their properties and possessions to their daughter Annie Lee, daughter-in-law Bessie, and grandchildren Bennie Mae, Anna, and Leila by legally recording their last will and testament. Henry passed away on October 5th, 1915 and Nicey followed 6-years later on November 12th.
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