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 Samuel Phillip's property appraisement in IAS Book 5, a value of $200.00 was placed on a man named Ben. However, there were two men named Ben enslaved by Samuel Philips. Since this Ben was noted to be Maria's child, it is likely he would still be considered a child at the time of the IAS record, and so the IAS valuation more likely refers to Ben the elder (the valuation specifically notes Ben as a man instead of as a boy, which is usually how children would be distinguished). However, this means Ben the younger is absent from the IAS list. This could mean that Ben the younger was sold to another enslaver by Samuel Philips, or that he died in the time between Philips's will in February of 1862 and the time of the appraisement, in August of the same year.
Michael Miller's will stipulated that the enslaved persons Harriet, Columbus, Ellen, Jimma, Payton, Charles, Vera, and Archy are to be valued by the court and evenly divided between George and Sallie Miller. Once valued, Archy would choose the master/mistress that he would like to be inherited to. In the appraisement of the estate of Michael Miller, a value of $375.00 was placed on Archy.
Michael Miller's will stipulated that after his passing, his son and daughter, George and Sallie Miller would inherit Almstead and his wife Nancy to work at the plantation.
In the will of Murray, Alexander was allowed "to hire himself out, from year to year," and was allowed "to receive, and to make use of his own wages, as he pleases provided he shall conduct himself in a proper and orderly manner." It is also mentioned that Murray directed that his wife and his adopted son, James R. Burchatt, "shall each bind themselves to pay an equal amount, towards his support, if it shall become necessary." In the Appraisement of Property of Murray, a value of $800.00 was placed on Alexander.