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.
Emma was an enslaved woman previously owned by David Gish. Emma had a value of $400.00 placed on her. Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, Emma would be taken in by Polly Brugh (Polly Gish).
Elizabeth Dufong is mentioned in the will of Sarah Betts. She is the niece of Sarah Betts. The will states that Betts' executors are directed to sell and pay the proceeds to Elizabeth or the trustees of her.
It is not listed whether or not Elizabeth was an enslaver but it is listed in IAS Book 3 that she was entitled to 1/7 of Henry E. Blair's sum of estates. She was left $239.67 from Henry's estate.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $650.00 was placed on Eliza and child. This child was most likely related to Eliza but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.