Will books are a good source in the search for slaves only if the owner named the slave(s). Many times a will lists property without specifying if it includes slaves. For example: "I will and bequeath to my (wife, son, daughter, etc.) all my estate both real and personal of every sort;" or, "...the property I have already given to my (wife, son, daughter, etc.)..." The documents often do not include the slave's name, sometimes only girl, runaway, boy, etc.
Chapters include: Will Book, 1742-1830; Will Book 19, 1814-1818; Will Book 29, 1853-1858; Will Book 30, 1858-1862; Will Book 31, 1862-1863, Guardian's Book, 1857-1866; and Will Book 32, 1857-1866. The documents in this volume include administrators' estate accounts, executor accounts, and inventories and appraisals. Each entry gives the name of the slave owner, page number, date, and type of document followed by a list of slaves. The new owner is listed if known. Surnames of the owner's children are indexed only if noted in the document. A full-name index adds to the value of this work.
Sandra Barlau
2021, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 156 pp.
ISBN: 9781556139055
101-B0005
