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, Hannah is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $300.00 was placed on Hannah.
In the records associated with Thomas Tosh, an entry states, "By Hire of Nancy + Hannah due 1 Jany. 1833" and this entry was valued at $36.00. This most likely meant that Thomas Tosh received this money from the hire of Nancy and Hannah, but Thomas Evans managed his estate and assets at that time. Another entry in the same year states, "Deduct Dr. Madison's bill from Nancy's Hire" with a value of $18.00.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Hal is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. However, Hal was "to be deducted as a charge" from the final evaluation. A value of $200.00 was placed on Hal.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Griffin is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $1500.00 was placed on Griffin.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Green is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $1,400.00 was placed on Green.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Granville is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $2,000.00 was placed on Granville.
In the IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Grace is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. Grace is listed as having been "deducted as a charge," of $200.00, and a value of $400.00 was placed on her. She is listed alongside Isabel who was "deducted as a charge," of $200.00 as well.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Godfrey is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $1,600.00 was placed on Godfrey.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Georgiana is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $1,400.00 was placed on Georgiana.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Samuel Forsythe names Jacob P. Hartman as his administrator. An entry states, "To amt. recd. Geo. Obenchain hire for George for 1863 ..." with a value of $909.87.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, George Henry is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $1200.00 was placed on George Henry.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, George Hawkins is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1400.00 was placed on George.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, George is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $300.00 was placed on George Booker.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, George Bluehead is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $2000.00 was placed on George.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, George is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $600.00 was placed on George.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Samuel Forsythe names Jacob P. Hartman as his administrator. An entry states, "To amt. recd. Geo. Obenchain hire for George for 1863 ..." with a value of $909.87.
F. Johnston is listed as the administrator for Fleming James in the IAS Book 4. In the appraisement of Fleming James' property, two entries are listed mentioned enslaved people. One of these entries states, "To recd. of Mrs. A. James, balance of many in her hands at the time of F. James death, after deducting burial expenses + clothing for servants" with a value of $166.45. Another entry states, "Deduct this sum for Mrs. C. P. Jones, Richmond for interest of her children in land + negroes per decree of court" with a final value of $3,585.76. The original amount listed was $3,923.09 but was subtracted from to get the final amount listed.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Fanny and her child are listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $800.00 was placed on Fanny and her child.