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.
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.
In the sale bill dated December 9, 1848 it was said that Priscilla should remain "in possession" of Frances Deatin's husband John. Mariah and the other enslaved people valued alongside her were "to be hired out for a term of years until their hire shall pay of debt due to the estate of John Foster decd. amounting to five hundred dollars more or less."
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."
John Peringer willed the same arrangements applied to Alexander, Rose, Henry, and Harrison be applied to Phil with the option of remaining with Peringer's family.
In George Howbert's will, he states the following: “I give to (my son Samuel) my negro man Peter to him and his heirs forever provided I may not sell said negro before my decease in that event he is not to be paid or to get any value in law of said negro before my decease…”
Was left his own furniture by George Howbert.
In the sale bill dated December 9, 1848 it was said that Peggy should remain "in possession" of Frances Deatin's husband John. Mariah and the other enslaved people valued alongside her were "to be hired out for a term of years until their hire shall pay of debt due to the estate of John Foster decd. amounting to five hundred dollars more or less."
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, Payton 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 $600.00 was placed on Payton.
Patton H. Snyder specified in his will that 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. Additionally, whatever he'd left his mother and siblings previously in an older will was to go to the six of them instead.
Patterson Hannah bequeathed Henry Clay, Edward, and Stephen to Ivin P. Henry, who would obtain them when he became 21 years old. Until that time, Matthew Harvey was to "have the services" of those three enslaved people.
David Gish's will stipulated that if his wife and children are deceased, then the enslaved would go to his remaining heirs.
A valuation was placed on Patsey and her two children of $800.