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.
In Will Book 1, George Howbert willed Samuel and Peter to his son "and his future heirs," and while his son's name is not recorded here it is presumed to be Samuel Howbert. In IAS 1, Howbert willed Peter (but with no mention of Samuel) to his son Samuel, who in this case was explicitly recorded.
In IAS 1, George Howbert willed Peter to his son Samuel under the condition that George had not already sold Samuel by the time of George's death. In Will Book 1, George Howbert said Samuel could be sold "for any value."
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.
A value of $1,100.00 was placed on George. It is unclear who George was devised to, but it is possible that he was also devised to E.B. McClanahan since the rest of his family were devised to McClanahan.
George, Zache, Mett, and Moses were bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's grandsons Lewis Taylor, Shelton Taylor, James Taylor, and Thomas Taylor to be divided equally between them all.
His six "servants" Abraham, Richard, Robert B., Eliza, Gebina N., and Sally be given their "freedom" and that whatever remained of his estate once his debts had been settled would go to the six of them.
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.
William Farly's 1846 will stipulated that the enslaved people listed above be bequeathed to his widow, Fanny W. Farly. Upon her passing, these enslaved people were to be divided equally between the enslaver's children.
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, Ellen 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 $700.00 was placed on Ellen.
In the IAS book, Jane Lewis states that "the money that is now due or will be due for the hire of my three negro men for the last year and for the present year..."