Michael Miller's will stipulated that the enslaved persons Harriet, Columbus, Ellen, Jimma, Payton, Charles, and Archy are to be valued by the court and evenly divided between George and Sallie Miller. Once valued, Columbus 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 $700.00 was placed on Columbus.
From September to December 1863, Clay labored for 62 days at a pay rate of $20.00 per month. His enslaver, David Shanks, received $41.33 for the work completed by Clay. From December 1862 to January 1863, Clay labored for 60 days at a pay rate of $16.00 per month. "D. G. Shanks" received $32.00 for this work, also.
Andy, Margaret, and Charlotte were enslaved under the estate of which Josephine and M.G. Barnett inherited, and that David Shanks managed as guardian. Plans were made to hire out Charlotte to J.M. Thomas for the year of 1856, with a valuation of $76.00. However, by order of the Roanoke County Court, these three enslaved people were to be given to Ann R. Earnest (formerly Ann Barnett), as part of her dowry following the death of Charles L. Barnett.