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, Nancy is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $1,200.00 was placed on Nancy.
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 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 IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts states that Mrs. Carr's share of the enslaved individuals was valued at $30,600. Various other personal property and land were included in her share while the rest was split between Mrs. Carr and four others. The other people who appeared in the record were Col. William Watts, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Rives, and Mrs. Holcombe. There is a possibility that Mrs. Carr was related to Edward Watts and his children in some capacity, but the record does not specify.
Mitchell is mentioned in a deposition found in IAS Book 4 and throughout many documents concerning Thomas Tosh and the Tosh Estate. More information about his life are given in the deposition along with more information about Dave, Phoebe, Dick, Franky (Fanny), Sampson, and the unnamed children of Dick and Franky along with the unnamed children of Dave and Phoebe.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Missouri is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $1600.00 was placed on Missouri.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Maurice is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $500.00 was placed on Maurice.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Matilda is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1000.00 was placed on Matilda.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Matilda is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $1000.00 was placed on Matilda.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mat is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $1,800.00 was placed on Mat.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary Sims is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $600.00 was placed on Mary.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $700.00 was placed on Mary Sims.
Mary Richardson was the daughter of Abram Greenwood. In the partition of enslaved people, Mary received Abby as her one fifth share between herself and her four other siblings that was given to them by their father after his death.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary Fanny and her child are 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 Mary Fanny and her child.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $600.00 was placed on Mary.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary 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 Mary.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $600.00 was placed on Mary.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Mary is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $400.00 was placed on Mary.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Martha Ann 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 Martha Ann.