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 the Sales Bill of Murray, an enslaved boy named Henry was purchased by Mrs. C. Murray for $500.00. A enslaved man named Stephen was purchased by "his wife," M. Shooly, for $50.00. It is unclear, but the phrasing implies M. Shooly was Stephen's wife. It is possible she was a free woman buying her husbands freedom. A enslaved boy named Phill was purchased by J. W. Hurt for $800.00.
In the IAS Book 4, an entry in the appraisement of William McGeorge states, "To amt. recd. in part J. T. Barns Bond for hire of servants in 1861" with a value of $75.00.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Ishmael is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. No value was placed on Ishmael.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Isabel is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. Isabel is listed as having been "deducted as a charge," of $200.00. She is listed alongside Grace 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, Howard is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $1, 500.00 was placed on Howard.
This boy's mother was hired out to J. G. Coats. Though the record says that Read "heirs" the mother, that actually means that she was hired by him and gave birth to this boy while she was hired by Coats.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Hester 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 Hester.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Hester is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Letitia Watts Rives. A value of $200.00 was placed on Hester.
In the IAS Book 4, the appraisement of Thomas Lunsford's property has an entry that states, "To cash recd. from Henry Neighbors hire of Perry 1862" with a value of $50.75.
The enslaved people listed in his will were to all remain together on Chapman's plantation. In Chapman's will it was requested that the enslaved people work for a year on the plantation after their enslaver passed away to, "bring the plantation to good standing and then to all be sold."
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Henry is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Alice W. Morris. A value of $1,100.00 was placed on Henry
Henry had an enslaved brother named Harrison and an enslaved mother named Rose. In the will of Jacob Murray, Rose will be allowed to chose a new master for herself and her children. Murray did not want them to be sold publicly or taken away by strangers. However, Henry was later purchased by Mrs. C. Murray for $500.00; if Mrs. C. Murray was Jacob Murray's wife or another close family member, it is possible Henry was still kept with his family. In the Appraisement of Property of Jacob Murray, a value of $500.00 was placed on Henry.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Henry is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. A value of $2,800.00 was placed on Henry.
In the IAS Book 4, an entry under Charles E. Oliver, guardian of Ann Rosaltha, states, " To hire of man Henry to Stover" with a value of $135.75. This could be Joel C. Stover.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Henrietta is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $1600.00 was placed on Henrietta.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Harrison is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $2000.00 was placed on Harrison.
In the will of Jacob Murray, Rose was allowed to chose a new master for herself and her children. Murray did not want them to be sold publicly or taken away by strangers. However, Henry was later purchased by Mrs. C. Murray; if Mrs. C. Murray was Jacob Murray's wife or another close family member, it is possible Henry was still kept with his family. In the Appraisement of Property of Jacob Murray, a value of $1200.00 was placed on Rose and Harrison.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Harriet 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 Harriet.