The Inventory, Appraisements, and Settlements books consist of a wide variety of record types. They include wills formatted similar to the will books, in which an enslaver would divide and bequeath enslaved people amongst their heirs, general relations, and friends. These wills were typically written when an enslaver was older but while they were still of “a sound mind and body,” according to their own language. Inheritors were not always specified, but may have been referenced implicitly, such as simply saying “[the enslaver’s] wife” rather than giving the wife’s name. The books also include estate appraisements and settlement of estates, in which a deceased enslaver’s whole estate and “possessions” would be cataloged and priced. This would include all household items, livestock, and in the case of enslavers, enslaved people would be listed as well, priced and at times sold to other enslavers. Settlement of estates were also recorded in which someone would list all of their trades, payments, and transactions with other people, including the hiring out of enslaved people to other enslavers. The money from such hires would go to the enslaver and not the enslaved person doing the labor. The information provided on enslaved people was largely dehumanizing and transactional, and the records provided herein are limited by this. It is also important to note that for every valuation of an enslaved person, there were white people who may or may not have been enslavers themselves but were actively involved in this aspect of the slave trade.
Taylor purchased David from the estate of William Walton for $440. He made the payment for the enslavement of David to William Walton's estate in two separate installments. Taylor first paid $220 on January 1, 1847, and then paid $220 on January 1, 1848.
From IAS book: "...assembled at the house of James Kyle administrator of Lewis Kyle decd. and appraised the property as follows..."
One negro boy named Harrison for $550.
In the sale bill dated December 9, 1848 it was said that Harriet should remain "in possession" of Frances Deatin's husband John. Mariah and the other enslaved people valued alongside her were "to be hired out for a term of years until their hire shall pay of debt due to the estate of John Foster decd. amounting to five hundred dollars more or less."
Harriet and her children were previously enslaved by Samuel Stoner. Stoner's sales bill shows that a value of $605.00 was placed on Harriet and her children. They were then sold to F. & J. L. James and Co. Fleming James was later listed as the enslaver.
Bequeathed Sid and Anny by his father, James Sarver. In turn, George willed Amy to his father, who he noted was "part of my mothers inheritance of my grandfather Walker’s estate."
In the record, it is stated that "John a man" was "hired out" to George Persinger for $61 from a list that included several other enslaved individuals associated with Thomas Fowler.