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 the record, it is stated that Creed was bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's daughter along with his mother, Jane, his siblings (Oly, Ann, and Counsellar), and Ellender and her child.
In the record, it is stated that Counsellar was bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's daughter along with his mother, Jane, his siblings (Oly, Creed, and Ann), and Ellender and her child.
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.
In parenthesis next to Collin's name in IAS book 2, the name Sam Branch is written. This connection is not explained, but based on Branch's name it is likely he was a family member of Ann N. Branch.
Sarah Betts' will requested that the family of Claiborne and Anne, as well as their infant Sally Betts, are granted the option of freedom or remaining with the family at the risk of being sold. This was a first step in the manumission of the Scott family.
Charlotte and the others willed alongside her 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."
In the IAS book 1, Joseph Woods placed on Charles a valuation of $35.00. This relatively low valuation likely means Charles was disabled, elderly, or infirm.
Henry Snyder is the husband of Catharine Snyder. He bequeathed to her "one negro woman and her increase named Eliza..." His will states that, once Catharine passes, the two are to be sold with all the land to the executor for profit.