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 settlement of estate of Henry E. Blair, it is recorded that he was the guardian of Andrew J. Mary, John T. Edward, Georgiana Barnes, William Bird Barnes, and all of Aaron Barnes' children. He left Elizabeth Barnes $239.67.
The enslaved people listed in his will were to all remain together on Chapman's plantation. In Chapman's will it was requested that the enslaved people work for a year on the plantation after their enslaver passed away to, "bring the plantation to good standing and then to all be sold."
Henry had a value of $550 placed on him and was later purchased by George Richardson. Henry was referred to as a boy in the record. That likely means that he was still a child at the time this was recorded.
Joseph Woods' will and testament stated that 13 enslaved people would be divided equally between John Ballard, Harrison M. Ballard, Martha Ansnian, Susan Brown, Elizabeth Wood, Jane Campbell, Polly Ballard.
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.
Frederick Thrasher's will stated the two men he enslaved, George and Garret, were to go to some of his children if any of his children are willing to take them. He also stated that should his "negroes" not be willing to go to his children who would want them, "they are to be sold at public sale".
A value of $500.00 was placed on George.
"To my son George Gish a boy named George… boy will be under the control of my wife should she remain a widow until my son arrives to age of twenty or marry, which ever may happen first."
Frederick Thrasher's will stated that the two men he enslaved, George and Garret, were to go to some of his children if any of his children are willing to take them. He also stated that should his "negroes" not be willing to go to his children who would want them, "they are to be sold at public sale."