The following year in 1842, the estate of John D. Patton shows a total of only 35 slaves, seven less than the previous year, but C. R. Patton claims 15 slaves, five more than the previous year. This change in numbers suggests Columbus allocated at least five of the slaves from his father's estate to his own property. The Patton family of 1842 shows a total of 50 slaves. Finally, in 1843, after taking over his father's estate, C.R. Patton claimed 44 slaves. Possibly, Columbus sold or distributed to his family the at least six slaves not accounted for in this transaction.
Records are poor and tax roll numbers are slippery.
The tax roll numbers never seem to directly match the inventory reports with names and ages. More than likely, the family sought to avoid taxation and minimized the number of slaves they owned. This tax roll murkiness is all to show how easily property changed hands among the Patton family members. Though C. R. Patton became the pivotal name, he represented the interests of an entire family. As a result, Adriance took an initial inventory of the property, including slaves.