The Will Books contain wills from 1839 to 1885. In these wills, people would specify where their property and savings would be inherited to. In the case of enslavers, they would specify enslaved people or a certain number of enslaved people that were to be inherited by named individuals. At times, enslaved people would be priced and when divided amongst heirs, money would be paid between inheritors in order to insure the value being inherited was equal. Many wills also describe the "future increases" of female slaves, referring to future unborn children as potential property. These wills also sometimes specify familial relations between enslaved people, but usually just between spouses and parents and children. Family relationships such as siblings, parents of adult children, grandparents, aunts or uncles, etc., are rarely if ever specified. In these wills, people would specify where their property and savings would be inherited to. In the case of enslavers, they would specify enslaved people or a certain number of enslaved people that were to be inherited by named individuals. At times, enslaved people would be priced and when divided amongst heirs, money would be paid between inheritors in order to insure the value being inherited was equal. Many wills also describe the "future increases" of female slaves, referring to future unborn children as potential property. These wills also sometimes specify familial relations between enslaved people, but usually just between spouses and parents and children. Family relationships such as siblings, parents of adult children, grandparents, aunts or uncles, etc., are rarely if ever specified.
Patterson Hannah bequeathed Henry Clay, Edward, and Stephen to Ivin P. Henry, who would obtain them when he became 21 years old. Until that time, Matthew Harvey was to "have the services" of those three enslaved people.
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."
John Peringer willed the same arrangements applied to Alexander, Phil, Rose, and Harrison be applied to Henry with the option that if Rose, Henry, and Harrison chose to be "sold," they are to be "sold" together with the choice of "master."
Harry and the others willed alongside him were to remain on the Chapman plantation for a year after Chapman's death to "work for a year after Chapman passes, bringing the plantation to good standing and then to all be sold."
John Peringer willed the same arrangements applied to Alexander, Phil, Rose, and Henry be applied to Harrison with the option that if Rose, Henry and Harrison chose to be "sold," they are to be "sold" together with the choice of "master."
In the sale bill dated December 9, 1848 it was said that Harriet should remain "in possession" of Frances Deatin's husband John. Mariah and the other enslaved people valued alongside her were "to be hired out for a term of years until their hire shall pay of debt due to the estate of John Foster decd. amounting to five hundred dollars more or less."
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).
No specific instructions were left in Lucy McClanahan's will for who Granvile, Sydney, and their wives should be bequeathed to, other than that no married couples/families were to be split, and that their personal wishes be respected.
Bequeathed Sid and Anny by his father, James Sarver. In turn, George willed Amy to his father, who he noted was "part of my mothers inheritance of my grandfather Walker’s estate."