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.
This unrecorded named child and woman 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 Wood's Jr.'s debts. No more information was given on what happen to the woman and child.
While IAS book 2 mentions an Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed, and an Amanda connected to Little Tom bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed and Ann W. Dennis, who are assumed to be separate people. However, in Will Book 1 a woman named Amanda was bequeathed to Laura Reed, and then "the children of Amanda and little Tom together" were bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed. Thus, Amanda may have been one person who was separated from her children. While they have been input as two separate people, you can view the information for the other Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed attached below.
In the record, it is stated that "Dick a man" was "hired out" to Thomas Micou for $48.50 from a list of enslaved individuals associated with Thomas Fowler.
No specific instructions were left in Lucy McClanahan's will for who Granvile, Sydney (or "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.