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 Oly was bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's daughter along with his mother, Jane, his siblings (Ann, Creed, and Counsellar), and Ellender and her child.
While valuation and purchasers were listed for those Nannie was appraised alongside, these fields were left blank for Nannie. However, Common Law Book C states that she was purchased by Robert Craig and later exempted from taxation, along with Betty.
In the appraisement of Thomas Fowler's personal property, Moses, Nancy and John were listed on the same line and had an evaluation of $900.00 placed on them.
In the appraisement of Thomas Fowler's personal property, Moses, Nancy and John were listed on the same line and had an evaluation of $900 placed on them.
George, Zache, Mett, and Moses were bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's grandsons Lewis Taylor, Shelton Taylor, James Taylor, and Thomas Taylor to be divided equally between them all.
In Shepard's will, it is recorded that he bequeathed enslaved people to his daughter Catharine Hickle, his "other" daughter Susan Brown, and his third daughter Mary Thomas. It is also recorded in the sale book that, "remaining slaves not to be sold out to different families."