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.
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 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.
Harriet and her children were previously enslaved by Samuel Stoner. Stoner's sales bill shows that a value of $605.00 was placed on Harriet and her children. They were then sold to F. & J. L. James and Co. Fleming James was later listed as the enslaver.
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, Harriet would choose the master/mistress that she would like to be inherited to. In the appraisement of the estate of Michael Miller, a value of $200.00 was placed on Harriet ($150.00) and her child ($50.00).
Note that only one George is listed in the appraisal of Sam Phillips's estate, despite there being three in the will. If this is the same George from the appraisal, then a value of $1200.00 was placed on him.
Maria, Patience, Amelia, William, Henry, Blanch, Priscilla, Harriett, Peggy, James, and Mary were all bequeathed to Frances Deaton's husband, according to her will. They were "to be hired out to others to pay off the Deaton family's debt of $650," at least $500.00 of which was due to John Foster, and "the enslaved individuals are to be freed after" the debt was paid. After this debt was paid, they were to be hired out raise $650.00 for Deatin's children.
Once freed they were to be set up with jobs locally and able to keep their earnings, living on the family land until they had enough funds to relocate to a free state. They had the option to decline this offer and pick another "master" or "mistress." Though the wording may have seemed simple, the process for the manumission of enslaved individuals was a more complicated process.
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.