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.
Bequeathed the above enslaved people by Sarah Betts, alongside the following people. These enslavers likely split up the above individuals amongst their own estates.
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.
Bequeathed the above enslaved people by Sarah Betts, alongside the following people. These enslavers likely split up the above individuals amongst their own estates.
In the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Edmund is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's son, Col. William Watts. No value was placed on Edmund or his wife Nannie.
David Gish's will stipulated that Tom, Deely, Patsy, and Mary are given to his widow and children. The names of the widow and their children are not written. Gish also bequeathed a young boy named Bob to his daughter Mary Eliza.