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 will of Sarah Betts, it is listed that Jesse and the other enslaved individuals listed above be divided equally between Sally Betts Jones, Josephine W. Jones, and Paul James Jr.
James Edward was an enslaved man previously owned by David Gish. A value of $750.00 was placed on James Edward. Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, Edward would be taken in by Jacob P. Burgh.
In the will of Jacob Fowler, it is stated that Jacob S. Fowler be given one sixth of the personal estate "including the remainder of my home plantation." There is no other mention of how the personal property was divided among those named in the will.
Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, Jacob P. Brugh had taken 6 enslaved people from David Gish. These enslaved people were for his wife who was formerly known as Mary E. Gish. Each enslaved person had a value placed on them. Dealy and her child, a young boy, had a combined value of $850.00. James Edward, an enslaved man, had a value of $750.00. Nancy, an enslaved woman had a value of $750.00. William Junius, an enslaved man had a combined value $450.00. And lastly, Charles an enslaved man had a value of $300.00.
In the Sales Bill of Murray, an enslaved boy named Henry was purchased by Mrs. C. Murray for $500.00. A enslaved man named Stephen was purchased by "his wife," M. Shooly, for $50.00. It is unclear, but the phrasing implies M. Shooly was Stephen's wife. It is possible she was a free woman buying her husbands freedom. A enslaved boy named Phill was purchased by J. W. Hurt for $800.00.
Jacob S. Fowler and Henry Fowler are mentioned in the will of Jacob Fowler. Henry was his son and Jacob was most likely his son but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.