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.
Sarver willed "the 'title' to Amy if she paid for her freedom, and noted that if she could not pay for her freedom "she and her 2 Unidentified children are to remain with [Sarver's] mother." The tile of freedom is likely referring to manumission.
Sarver willed "the 'title' to Amy if she paid for her freedom, and noted that if she could not pay for her freedom "she and her 2 Unidentified children are to remain with [Sarver's] mother." The tile of freedom is likely referring to manumission.
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.
Thomas Taylor was the grandson of Thomas Fowler and was bequeathed George, Zache, Mett, and Moses. These enslaved individuals were divided between Thomas and his brothers Shelton, James, and Lewis Taylor.
Bequeathed the above enslaved people by Sarah Betts, alongside the following people. These enslavers likely split up the above individuals amongst their own estates.
No specific instructions were left in Lucy McClanahan's will for who Granvile, Sydney (or "Supex"), and their wives should be bequeathed to, other than that no married couples/families were to be split, and that their personal wishes be respected.