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.
In the record, it is stated that "Sarah a woman" was "hired out" to Robert Burk for $11 from a list of enslaved individuals associated with Thomas Fowler.
Rachel was valued alongside her daughters: Ann and Elizabeth. All together, a valuation of $600.00 was placed on the family in one appraisement, and a valuation of $650.00 was placed on the family in a later appraisement.
Priscilla was previously enslaved by Samuel Stoner. Stoner's sales bill shows that a valuation of $350.00 was placed on Priscilla. Priscilla was then purchased by Mrs. Stoner.
In the IAS book, Jane Lewis states "that said negro man be disposed of and employed by their mother in any way she may deem best to promote the interest of the said children."
Bequeathed "one negro woman Jane and her children, Creed, Oty, Ann, Counseller" along with "one negro woman Ellender and her child together" by her father Thomas Fowler. It is also mentioned in the will that if Polly died, everything bequeathed to her would go to her children.
In George Howbert's will, he states the following: “I give to (my son Samuel) my negro man Peter to him and his heirs forever provided I may not sell said negro before my decease in that event he is not to be paid or to get any value in law of said negro before my decease…”
In IAS Book 1, Henry Snyder willed that his daughter Peggy's children have one eighth part of his estate, which consisted of "land, negroes, and bonds for money...".
In the sale bill dated December 9, 1848 it was said that Peggy 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."
David Gish's will stipulated that if his wife and children are deceased, then the enslaved would go to his remaining heirs.
A valuation was placed on Patsey and her two children of $800.