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, Emma 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 Emma.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Ellen and her child are listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $800.00 was placed on Ellen and her child.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Eliza is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1100.00 was placed on Eliza.
In the partition of Elijah M. McClanahan's enslaved individuals, Billy Brown, Reuben, Little Billy, Anthony, Granville, Dick, Henry, Mariah and child Daniel, Marion, Evaline and child, Peggy, and Elijah. Each of these individuals was divided into seven "lots" to be divided equally between Betsy Cox, Mary Montague, Lucy Johnston, Aggy Ingles, Catherine Jones, Fanny Miller, and Jane Lewis that are valued at $1,092.85 each.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of William McGeorge states, "To Hire recd. for servant Elias from 29th June to 29th August 1861" with a value of $14.50.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Edward is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $500.00 was placed on Edward.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Edward is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $1,800.00 was placed on Edward.
In the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Edmund is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. No value was placed on Edmund or his wife Nannie.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Dolly Ann is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $1,500.00 was placed on Dolly Ann.
Dick was bequeathed by Jonathan Tosh to Thomas Tosh, alongside Fanny, and a value of $350.00 was placed on them as a pair. Later, Thomas Tosh hired Dick out to Elizabeth Harris for $10.00.