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.
William Richardson's will stipulated that Irena and her 5 children would be sold in a public auction by Richardson's executor, 12 months after Richardson's decease. They were sold to different people, splitting up the family.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of William McGeorge's property lists Robert P. Wright as his administrator. There are multiple entries listing transactions involving enslaved people. The individuals listed include Elias, Easter, Joe, Thornton, Dick, and other unnamed individuals. In the appraisement, it also states that many of these enslaved people were hired out to other people. These individuals included Gross Richardson, G. T. Pollard, and J. T. Barns.
William L. Morris filed a complaint against Edward Watts on behalf of Martha Watts. The complaint was filed against Edward because he was living above his means while controlling Martha Watts' land.
William Johnston was the husband of Lucy Johnston. He bequeathed enslaved people to the individuals listed below. A valuation of $1,950.00 was placed on Mary and Susan. However, the remaining enslaved people were valued at $4,300.00. After being divided amongst seven heirs of William Johnston's estate, it came out to each share being $614.00.
A value of $450.00 placed on Wiley and he was later purchased by Nancy Richardson. Wiley was referred to as a boy in the record. That means that he was likely still a child at the time this was recorded.
This unrecorded named woman and her child was previously owned by Joseph Woods Jr. Both the woman and child had a combined valuation of $500.00. They were both listed under Joseph Woods Jr.'s debts. No more information was given on what happen to the woman and child.
No specific instructions were left in Lucy McClanahan's will for who Granvile, Sydney, and their wives should be bequeathed to, other than that no married couples/families were to be split, and that their personal wishes be respected.
No specific instructions were left in Lucy McClanahan's will for who Granvile, Supex, and their wives should be bequeathed to, other than that no married couples/families were to be split, and that their personal wishes be respected.
In IAS Book 2, it is stated that Cyrus Price and Moses Greer are administrators of the "will annexed of Thomas Fowler, deceased." Under the entry, it is also stated that a claim against John Pitzer "for hire of his negro and lost on account of sickness of negro" with a value of $40.00 also listed.
Cash paid to Dr. Ribble for the hire of an unrecorded named individual for $3.00. No indication of the enslaved person's name or any other context given for the sale.
An unrecorded named girl and Nancy was previously owned by Joseph Woods. They were both bequeathed to John Ballard. The will testament shows that the unrecorded named girl and Nancy were living with Martha Ballard.