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 the will of Jesse Wilson, it is recorded that Robert Right was a free boy raised by Wilson. Wilson wanted to leave some sort of real estate to Right, but he said in his will that if it was not legal for freed men to hold real estate then he wanted to appoint a trustee for Robert so he could keep the real estate that Wilson left for him. He was bequeathed to Sousan Wilson, Jesse's wife.
Bush bequeathed a number of enslaved people to his sons Robert, William, and Griffin. He bequeathed other enslaved people to William Gish and his wife Sarah, James Stewart and his wife Elizabeth, and Peter's wife Alice Bush as well.
In the will of Peter Bush, it is recorded that Nancy would be bequeathed to Griffin, but also that "her increase to him forever," would be given to Griffin.
It is recorded in the will of Peter Bush that Maria and "her increase," would be bequeathed to William and his heirs, "forever." Maria's "increases" are her future children and their future children. When these children were born they would be enslaved to Maria's enslaver.
In the will of Peter Bush, it is recorded that Louisa and her "increase" will be bequeathed to William and Sarah Gish and their heirs forever. Louisa's "increases" are her future children and their future children. When these children were born they would be enslaved to Louisa's enslaver.
Jesse Wilson was the guardian of Robert Right, who was a free boy. Robert was raised by Wilson and Wilson wanted to leave Robert real estate in his will. In his will, Jesse appoints a trusteeship in case Robert could not inherit the real estate Wilson left for him. He bequeathed Robert to his wife Sousan.