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 appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $1,000.00 was placed on Alcy and child. This child was most likely related to Alcy but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $900.00 was placed on Anarchy and child. This child was most likely related to Anarchy but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $1,050.00 was placed on Bocky and child. This child is mostly likely related to Bocky but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $650.00 was placed on Eliza and child. This child is most likely related to Eliza but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $1,000.00 was placed on Peggy and child. This child is most likely related to Peggy but it is not specifically mentioned in the record.
In the appraisement bill of Thomas C. Read's personal property, a value of $1,000.00 was placed on Caroline and an unnamed child. Caroline was most likely related to this child but it is not mentioned specifically in the record.
This unrecorded named boy and his mother Mary was previously owned by David Gish. They had a combined value of $975.00 placed on them. Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, this unrecorded named boy would be taken in by John Brugh.
Elizabeth Walton's settlement specified "...to be due to the children of Paul Jones, in whose favor, Thomas S. Walton and wife executed a Deed in 1852 giving these certain slaves therein mentioned—Thomas S. Walton in his lifetime sold on or more of these slaves, and the foregoing sum in the proceeds of that sale.”
Bequeathed the above enslaved people by Sarah Betts, alongside the following people. These enslavers likely split up the above individuals amongst their own estates.
It is mentioned in the record that Samuel G. Woods had a "bond for hire" of a "negro man" associated with Thomas C. Read. The value put on this bond was $140.00.
It is mentioned in the record that T.J. Bush had a "bond for hire" of a "negro man George" associated with Thomas C. Read. The value put on this bond was $160.00.