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.
Johnathan Tosh bequeathed Lewis to the heirs of Jonathan Tosh Jr (likely James T. Tosh), bequeathed Mat to Jane Lewis, and bequeathed Dick and Fanny to Thomas Tosh.
Jacob Fowler's will stipulated that John Steel would receive an unrecorded woman and child that are collectively valued at $600.00. John Steel was the son in law of Jacob Fowler.
Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, John Brugh had taken 7 enslaved people from David Gish as the guardian of George Gish. Each enslaved person had a value placed on them. Patsey and her child was an enslaved mother and boy who was valued at $900.00. John was an enslaved man valued at $600.00. Mary and her child, a young boy had a combined value of $975.00. Edward, an enslaved man had a value of $350.00. And lastly, Melvin, an enslaved man had a value of $300.00.
John was an enslaved man previously owned by David Gish. A value of $600.00 was placed on John. Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, John would be taken in by Jacob P. Burgh.
This enslaved man was previously owned by David Gish. John had a value of $600.00 placed on him. In the process of the division of enslaved people, John was taken by John Brugh.
In IAS2, a value of $400.00 was placed on John. In IAS3, however, John and Lucy are valued at $600.00 together. William Johnston bequeathed John to Thomas Johnson. In IAS Book 3 John is recorded as an "old man." On December 31, 1857 John was hired out for $30.00. One year later, he was hired out again for $50.00.
John Johnston's will stipulated that two enslaved people "of suitable ages" with his grandsons, John and John, "be delivered to their parents in trust" as soon as his wife could conveniently do so. John and John are said to be William's son and Elizabeth's son.