Andy, Margaret, and Charlotte were enslaved under the estate of which Josephine and M.G. Barnett inherited, and that David Shanks managed as guardian. Plans were made to hire out Andy to William L. Walton for the year of 1856, with a valuation of $130.00. However, by order of the Roanoke County Court, these three enslaved people were to be given to Ann R. Earnest (formerly Ann Barnett), as part of her dowry following the death of Charles L. Barnett.
Andrew was to be entered as an apprentice at 8 years old, until he was 21 years old, to F. Johnston. This was "under the usual terms of White apprentices," as ordered by Roanoke County's Overseer of the Poor. At the end of his apprenticeship, Andrew was to be given $75.00 and a new suit. In the process, he was to be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic.