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 his will, George Sarver bequeathed Laelok (or Zaddok) to his mother, Catharine Sarver. George Sarver wrote that Amy was entitled to her "title," but that if she could not pay for her freedom then her and her two unrecorded named children were to be willed to his mother Catharine as well.
Bob is described as a young boy. David Gish's will stipulated that if his daughter was deceased then Bob would go to his remaining heirs.
David Gish placed on Bob a value of $400.
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 IAS book, Jane Lewis states "that said negro man be disposed of and employed by their mother in any way she may deem best to promote the interest of the said children."
According to both records, Betsey was bequeathed to Fanny W. Farly alongside Lany, Davy, Robert, Mary, Charles, Martha Ann, and Dick. Upon Fanny's passing, these enslaved people were to be divided equally between the enslaver's children.