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.
A value of $500.00 was placed on Susan. However, a value of $1,950.00 was placed on Susan, Mary, and Lucinda. William Johnston bequeathed Susan to Lucy Johnson. In IAS 2, Susan is described as a girl, and in IAS 3, she is described as a woman.
Stephen was enslaved by Jacob Murray. In the Sales Bill regarding Murray's estate, a value of $50.00 was placed on "Stephe." He was then bought by his wife, M. Shooly. In the appraisement of Murray's estate, a value of $200.00 was placed on an enslaved man named Stephen. The fifth IAS book also records a value of $200.00 being placed on "Steven" in the list of Jacob Murray's property. It is assumed that these three passages are describing the same person.
William D. Sims gave Billy Howard and Stephen $50.00 a year for as long as they live if Betty and David S. Read permits them to stay on their plantation. If they don't stay on the plantation, they'll be given $500.00 each so they may go where they please.
Sarah Bett's will notates a clause that if any "slaves" are born from her willed enslaved individuals, they are to remain within the family of "owners" to their heirs forever.
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.
Sarah Betts' will requested that the family of Claiborne and Anne, as well as their infant Sally Betts, are granted the option of freedom or remaining with the family at the risk of being sold. This was a first step in the manumission of the Scott family.
Sarah Betts's will passed on her "mulatto" girl, Betty and her future increases, to Sally Betts (or her brother if Sarah was deceased). When an enslaved person and their "future increases" are bequeathed to an enslaver. That is to say that that enslaved individuals children and their children's children would be bequeathed to Sally Betts Jones.