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 IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Winny is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1500.00 was placed on Winny.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Winny is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $500.00 was placed on Winny.
In the IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Winny is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $400.00 was placed on Winny.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Wilson is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $400.00 was placed on Wilson.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Wilson is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $900.00 was placed on Wilson.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Willie is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $800.00 was placed on Willie.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of William McGeorge's property lists Robert P. Wright as his administrator. There are multiple entries listing transactions involving enslaved people. The individuals listed include Elias, Easter, Joe, Thornton, Dick, and other unnamed individuals. In the appraisement, it also states that many of these enslaved people were hired out to other people. These individuals included Gross Richardson, G. T. Pollard, and J. T. Barns.
In the IAS Book 4, F. Johnston is listed as the administrator for William M. Richards. One entry in the appraisement states, "To cash recd. in A. Bruce for hire of Lucy 1856" with a value of $41.20.
In the IAS Book 4, William Kyle is listed as the administrator of the annexed will of James Kyle. In the multiple entries involving enslaved individuals, it names Eliza and child, Walker, and Ben.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, William Brown is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $1,700.00 was placed on William Brown.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, William Anthony is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $700.00 was placed on William Anthony.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, William is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $750.00 was placed on William.
In IAS Book 4, Virginia is listed as having been "confined" in the Roanoke County jail for being "insane." The document says that, "having once committed an act of violence, it is not thought safe to let her go at large." The document also reads that one of the five heirs of Edward Watts would pay the executor one fifth part of the expense of Virginia's clothing and "maintenance" while she remained in jail. This totaled up to "$300 per annum or $60 for each to pay."
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, this unnamed man is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $1,600.00 was placed on a "Black man".
In the IAS Book4, Jacob C. Miller, along with his brother George H. Miller, are listed as executers under the appraisement of Michael Miller. This appraisement included entries directly related to enslaved people, though these individuals are unnamed. One entry states, "Value of servant received by her" listed under the Hannah Kizer's advancements with no value listed.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Charles L. Snyder's property includes that the executers were James H. Rennick and George Hannah. An entry in the appraisement states, "By payment to Rev. J. Y. Grasty negro hire" with a value of $250.00. There is no other identifying information about the individual in the record. This means that the individuals already named could be this person or there could be another person who has not been named.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Charles L. Snyder's property includes that the executers were James H. Rennick and George Hannah. An entry in the appraisement states, "By payment to J. W. Shields negro hire" with a value of $94.00. There is no other identifying information about the individual in the record. This means that the individuals already named could be this person or there could be another person who has not been named.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Charles L. Snyder's property includes that the executers were James H. Rennick and George Hannah. An entry in the appraisement states, "By payt. To C. C. Thompkins negro hire" with a value of $150.00. There is no other identifying information about the individual in the record. This means that the individuals already named could be this person or there could be another person who has not been named.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, this child and their mother, Louisa are listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1700.00 was placed on this child and their mother.