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 Samuel Phillip's property appraisement in IAS Book 5, a value of $200.00 was placed on a man named Ben. However, there were two men named Ben enslaved by Samuel Philips. Since this Ben was noted to be Maria's child, it is likely he would still be considered a child at the time of the IAS record, and so the IAS valuation more likely refers to Ben the elder (the valuation specifically notes Ben as a man instead of as a boy, which is usually how children would be distinguished). However, this means Ben the younger is absent from the IAS list. This could mean that Ben the younger was sold to another enslaver by Samuel Philips, or that he died in the time between Philips's will in February of 1862 and the time of the appraisement, in August of the same year.
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, Archy 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 $375.00 was placed on Archy.
In the record, it is stated that Ann was bequeathed to Thomas Fowler's daughter along with his mother, Jane, his siblings (Oly, Creed, and Counsellar), and Ellender and her child.
Due to the differences in where they are willed, it is likely this Amy and another enslaved woman named Amy are two separate people, as this Amy was willed to James Sarver, while another Amy was willed to Catharine Sarver alongside Amy's two children, with the potential to purchase her freedom. However, in case they are in fact the same individual, this other Amy is linked below.
Amian 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."
While IAS book 2 mentions an Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed, and an Amanda connected to Little Tom bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed and Ann W. Dennis, who are assumed to be separate people. However, in Will Book 1 a woman named Amanda was bequeathed to Laura Reed, and then "the children of Amanda and little Tom together" were bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed. Thus, Amanda may have been one person who was separated from her children. While they have been input as two separate people, you can view the information for the other Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed attached below.
While IAS book 2 mentions an Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed, and an Amanda connected to Little Tom bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed and Ann W. Dennis, who are assumed to be separate people. However, in Will Book 1 a woman named Amanda was bequeathed to Laura Reed, and then "the children of Amanda and little Tom together" were bequeathed to Nugent M. Reed. Thus, Amanda may have been one person who was separated from her children. While they have been input as two separate people, you can view the information for the other Amanda bequeathed to Laura Reed attached below.
Michael Miller's will stipulated that after his passing, his son and daughter, George and Sallie Miller would inherit Almstead and his wife Nancy to work at the plantation.
John Peringer willed that his other "servant man" Alexander be allowed to outlined a path to his own wages and living arrangements with the help of Murray's assigned executor.