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.
Lewis Zirkle was listed in an indenture agreement: “...bind unto the said Lewis Zirkle a boy of colour named George Campbell until he arrives to the free age of twenty one which will be on the 25th day of June 1854.”
Lewis was an enslaved man who was previously owned by Johnathan Tosh. A value of $500.00 was placed on Lewis, who was then bequeathed to Johnathan Tosh Jr's heirs. James T. Tosh was likely the son of Johnathan Tosh Jr. Johnathan Tosh Sr bequeathed the enslaved man Lewis to Johnathan Tosh Jr.'s heirs; while which heirs was not specified, under Thomas Tosh's guardianship of James, the sale bill of Lewis is listed, in which Thomas purchased Lewis.
In the IAS Book 4, an entry under Charles E. Oliver, guardian of Ann Rosaltha, states, " To hire of girl Lavinia to Mrs. Tolly" with a value of $18.00.
In the will of Sarah Betts, it is listed that Laura and the other enslaved individuals listed above be divided equally between Sally Betts Jones, Josephine W. Jones, and Paul James Jr.
In the will of Sarah Betts, as found in IAS book 3, it is listed that each enslaved person willed alongside Julia had a value of $429.90 placed on them.
There are two valuation prices listed with Judy. $50.00 was credited to Washington Smith in 1855 for "keeping the negro Judy." $80.00 was also credited to Washington Smith in 1856 for the "endorses in his note," meaning that he was given money to support Judy because she was older.
In the will of Sarah Betts, found in IAS Book 3, Juby is listed alongside Cyphax, Ishmael, and Royall. The will states that Sarah Betts' executors are directed to sell and pay the proceeds to Elizabeth Dufong or the trustees of her.
Bequeathed Blanch and Josephine and their future increases by Sarah Betts. When an enslaved person and their "future increases" are bequeathed to an enslaver, it means that that enslaved individual's children and their children's children would be bequeathed to Josephine W. Jones.