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.
Shelton Taylor was the grandson of Thomas Fowler and was bequeathed George, Zache, Mett, and Moses. These enslaved individuals were divided between Shelton and his brothers Lewis, James, and Thomas Taylor.
Sarah Bett's will notates a clause that if any "slaves" are born from her willed enslaved individuals, they are to remain within the family of "owners" to their heirs forever.
In the will information for Ann N. Branch, Sam Branch's name is written in parenthesis next to the enslaved person Collin. Their connection is not explained. It is likely that Sam Branch 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.
Sarah Betts's will passed on her "mulatto" girl, Betty and her future increases, to Sally Betts (or her brother if Sarah was deceased). When an enslaved person and their "future increases" are bequeathed to an enslaver. That is to say that that enslaved individuals children and their children's children would be bequeathed to Sally Betts Jones.
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.
John Peringer willed the same arrangements applied to Alexander, Phil, Henry, and Harrison be applied to Rose with the option that if Rose, Henry, and Harrison chose to be "sold," they are to be "sold" together with the choice of "master."
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.