Upson County Homestead Acts
Tuesday, 09-Dec-2003 18:33:35 MST GAGenWeb Page
Index to the Upson Co Homestead Exemption Book 1868 -
Homestead Exemptions
Act of 1822
The State of Georgia passed a law in 1822 to protect the wives and children
of insolvent debtors, This law set apart some of the debtor's property for
the support of his family.
No matter the size of the family, they were allowed two beds, bedding and
bedsteads, a spinning wheel and 2 cards, a loom, one cow and calf, tools of
trade, ordinary cooking vessels and $10 worth of provisions. These were to
be inventoried by the debtor, and the report was to be filed with the Clerk
of the Inferior Court.
Act of 1834
In 1834 a modification was made, in which the Family Bible was added to the
list of the items immune to sale for debts.
Act of 1835
In 1835 the law was changed to protect widows and their children. So long as
the widow remained unmarried, her real and personal property were immune
from seizure for debt.
Act of 1841
It was not until 1841 that the law offered additional protection due to the
family size. At this time, the debtor could set aside 20 acres of
agricultural land for his own support, plus 5 additional acres for each of
his or her children under the age of 15. In addition, they were allowed one
horse or mule valued at $50 or less, 10 head of hogs, and $30 in provisions.
If the land was in a village or town, they could keep land valued not more
than $200.
Additionally, no married debtor could sell any of this "set aside" land
unless the wife, of her own free will, signed the deed of the sell along
with her husband.
Act of 1847
In 1847 an act provided that no widow or unmarried woman could thereafter be
arrested or imprisoned, or otherwise deprived of her liberties on account of
any debt against her.
Act of 1876
As the years passed, other modifications were made to this insolvent debtors
law, so that by 1876, there was rather a long list of items exempt, such as
a Family Bible, school books, family portraits, and religious books. A
professional man could have $300 worth of his own library books exempted.
How These Records Can Help you
The Homestead Exemption Law records kept in the County can possibly reveal
facts about your ancestors that otherwise would not be known. They may
reveal the names and ages of children, list a Family Bible or portraits, and
list the basic necessities they were allowed to set aside.
TAYLOR COUNTY MAPS
Butler vicinity (GMD 757) + Carsonville GMD 743 + Davidson 737
Click |Back to the top| Taylor Co Page
| GA USGenWeb State Page|USGenWeb Page