“At the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Yankee side I felt glad and long[ed] to see the day come and when they did come I shouted for joy I told my friends I was glad God hath put it into the hearts of some loyal men to strike of[f] the chain binding us down…though they stripped us of every thing I still rejoiced.”
Aberdeen LeCounte was 36 years old in 1873 when he submitted a claim to the Southern Claims Commission for property he said had been stolen from him by U.S. soldiers during Sherman’s March to the Sea in December 1864. At the time of his claim, he was farming about 10 acres that he rented for $15 a year from plantation owner John L. Harden in Liberty County. He testified that he had lived there during the war, enslaved by Harden, and had gone back there after moving around from place to place within the County after the war.
LeCounte said that his father — not named — had belonged to William LeConte. About 10 years before the war, his father had given him a colt, which he had raised and which had a colt herself, the mare taken by the U.S. Army. They also took a saddle and bridle, poultry, rice, corn, potatoes, plates, and bed clothes from him, he said, and carried them off to their camp on Sam Varnedoe’s plantation, later moving to their headquarters at Midway Church.
Testifying for LeCounte was Somerset Stewart, 65 years old, who said he was born enslaved in Liberty County, and that his slaveowner at the time of the war was John LeConte, who was now living in California. He said he was not related to Aberdeen LeCounte but had known him since he was a little boy. Stewart said that the property was taken at Aberdeen LeCounte’s house on John LeConte’s plantation, although Aberdeen had said he was living then on John L. Harden’s plantation. Stewart named Thomas LeCount, Morris LeCount, and Tony West as people who were there when the property was taken.
Ben Howard, 30 years old, also testified for Aberdeen LeCounte. He said he was born enslaved in Liberty County and had belonged to Joseph LeConte. He also said he was not related to Aberdeen LeCounte, and that he was now (1873) still living on the Joseph LeConte place. He said that the property was taken at Aberdeen LeCounte’s house on the “Widow Harden plantation.”
When asked where he was living when the property was taken, Aberdeen LeCounte replied, “On the Lecount place, where I live now. No, I was on the John L. Harden place. I belonged to Harden. He married a daughter of old Lewis Lecount. He died before I was born.”
Aberdeen’s claim was denied by the Southern Claims Commission, based on the following report by Special Agent R.B. Avery:
“The claimant in this case is a leader, and pretty sharp, not over conscientious , though he is a deacon in the church. I was at his house, in his absence. It was clean, but did not contain $10 worth of furniture and cooking utensils, including bedding. But Aberdeen dresses pretty well. I made inquiry of a large number, and learned that he had no horse of his own. His mother told me the horse was hers. The same one charged in this claim, and that Aberdeen had none. The rice was here, and corn. It is possible he had some potatoes and chickens, but very few. He was very young then – not more than thirty years old now. The saddle and “bits” -bridle- belonged to his mother, and was not in his possession. All the story he tells about how he got these things is false, and what property was taken belonged to his mother, to which he had no title.”
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
Birth date
Aberdeen LeCounte had testified that his father had belonged to William LeConte and that William LeConte’s father, Louis (Lewis) LeConte, had died before Aberdeen was born. Louis LeConte died in January 1838. Aberdeen LeCounte’s birth year varies from 1838 to 1842 in postwar federal censuses, but the 1900 census, which is the only one to specify both the year and month of birth, has May 1838 for his birthdate. “Aberdeen,” valued at $175, was listed in Louis LeConte’s estate when it was inventoried in August 1838, and that Aberdeen was in the lot that went to WIlliam LeConte. An “Aberdeen” was then named in William LeConte’s 1841 estate inventory, valued at $200, and another inventory for William LeConte’s estate that was done in 1848, valued at $500. Thus it appears that the birth date of May 1838 for Aberdeen is probably correct.
Parents
It also appears likely that Aberdeen’s father, who was still alive to give him a horse 10 years prior to the Civil War, was in both the 1838 Louis LeConte inventory & division and the 1841 William LeConte inventory. In the estate inventories and divisions, families were often preserved intact to the extent convenient for the slaveowners, and thus are often listed in family order. In the 1838 Louis LeConte estate inventory & division, Aberdeen is listed as follows:
Prince $700
Suckey $600
Charity $225
Aberdeen $175
Katy $75
Hamlett $700
The order of the names and the values appear to suggest that Prince and Suckey were the parents of Charity, Aberdeen, and Katy, and that Hamlet starts a different family group. Does that hold up in the 1841 William LeConte inventory? Yes. We find Aberdeen listed as follows:
Prince $500
Suckey $400
Charity $250
Aberdeen $200
Catey $125
So it appears that Prince and Suckey were very likely Aberdeen’s parents, and Charity and Catey his sisters. In the 1848 William LeConte estate division, Prince, Charity and Caty were listed in order, but divided into different lots, and Suckey and Aberdeen were listed separately and also in different lots.
Now we check to see if there is a Prince LeConte in the 1870 Liberty County federal census…and there he is, 65 years old, with wife Sukky, 59, and daughter Susan, 34.
Slaveowner & Location
William LeConte was only 28 when he died in 1841, leaving a widow and three young children, as well as his Cedar Hill plantation. Col. Thomas Quarterman initially became administrator of the estate, but LeConte’s brother John LeConte later became administrator. William LeConte’s widow and children moved to Macon to be near her brother, and thus likely left Cedar Hill and the people enslaved there under the supervision of a family member. However, both her brothers-in-law — John LeConte and Joseph LeConte — were scientists and college professors and did not live regularly in Liberty County. In fact, after the war, John LeConte became the president of the University of California, where Joseph was also a prominent professor and a founding member of the Sierra Club.
Jane LeConte, their sister, married Dr. John M.B. Harden, who died in 1848. Jane’s and John’s son John LeConte Harden, on whose plantation Aberdeen LeConte said he was living during the Civil War, was born in 1839. Jane LeConte Harden would have been the “Widow Harden” on whose plantation Ben Howard said Aberdeen was living at the time of the raid. She owned Halifax Farm.
Family Life
In 1929, Lydia LeCounte Law of Riceboro, widow of Peter Law, died. Her death certificate listed her parents as Deen LeCounte and Lovenia LeCounte. It seems possible that Aberdeen LeCounte was her father. Nothing more was found about Lovenia.
By 1862, however, Aberdeen was married, formally or not, to Catherine, and they were married for at least 38 years, according to the 1910 census, which also indicated that Catherine had had six children, two of them then living. The censuses show that two of these children were Marshal A. LeCount, born in 1867, and Mary Tallulah LeConte, born in 1869. Marshal LeCount married Katie Brown in 1887, and they were blessed with many children, including a son named Aberdine (Dean), after his grandfather, who lived nearby.
No death records were found for Aberdeen, but he was not found in the 1920 Liberty County census, and neither was Marshal. There was a Dean LeCounte in the Georgia death index for 1925, but this proved to be Aberdeen’s grandson Aberdine, according to the death certificate found for him.
About the Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commmission was set up by Congress in 1871 to adjudicate claims for property taken by U.S. federal troops during the Civil War. More than 140 Liberty County residents — both black and white — filed claims, mostly for property taken during December 1864 when a unit of Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick camped at Midway Church and conducted foraging raids throughout Liberty County. Horses, cows, hogs, poultry, corn and rice were the most common items of property taken. In Liberty County, many slaveowners allowed their enslaved people to work on their own time and own small amounts of property, most of which was taken by the U.S. troops for use by the Army.
The claims files, which are held at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), have been digitized and are available at Ancestry.com or Fold3.com. For more information on these files, click here. A set of standard questions were used to take the testimony of claimants and witnesses. This set of questions was amended twice, in 1872 and 1874. The questions are not usually part of the digitized file, but we have included them to help make sense of the answers. The questions we used were provided online courtesy of the St. Louis County Library Special Collections, as taken from National Archives Microfilm Publication M87, Roll 1, Frames 104–105, Records of the Commissioners of Claims (Southern Claims Commission, 1871-1880), and can be found here.
About This Transcription
What you are seeing: The Southern Claims Commission files for each claimant included all forms filed for the claimant, including cover pages, standard forms with filled in information, a special agent’s report about the claim, remarks made by the Special Commissioner summarizing the case, testimony from the claimant and his or her witnesses based on a standard set of questions, and copies of other paperwork involved. Much of the information contained in the forms is repetitive. We have summarized that information into one block, and transcribed all testimony, the Special Commissioner’s remarks, the special agent’s report, and any other relevant text.
Methodology: The testimony of the claimant and the witnesses has been transcribed exactly as seen. Some of the files are faded and/or difficult to read. Any words that cannot be read are indicated by “[word]”, or, in the case of entire sections, “[section illegible]”. Alternative spellings of names are also indicated with brackets.
The Claim: Summary & Transcription
Find the digitized original of this claim file at this Ancestry.com link.
Summary
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): LeCounte, Aberdeen [alt: LeConte, LaCounte]
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $240.30
Total Amount Allowed: Disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Halifax Farm, Liberty County, Ga
Incident occurred at: Halifax Farm, Liberty County, Ga
Claim #: 20669
Secondary Claim #:
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-06-03
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-07-25
Claimant’s Attorney: James M. Simms, Savannah, Ga; W.H. Sykes, Savannah; Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C. [Raymond Cay Jr’s name was crossed out]
Property Removed to: The camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-17 to 1864-12-29
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-02-26
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro, Liberty County
Witnesses to be Called: |
Thomas LeConte, Liberty County (did not testify) |
Morris LeConte, Liberty County (did not testify) |
Somerset Stewart, Liberty County |
Samuel Stewart, Liberty County (did not testify) |
Ben Howard, Liberty County |
Items Claimed
Item # | Description | Amt Claimed |
1 | A sorrel mare | 150 |
2 | A good saddle & bridle | 20 |
3 | 10 prs of fowls | 10 |
4 | 30 bushels of rice | 45 |
5 | 7 bushels of potatoes | 7 |
6 | 1/2 bushel of clean rice | 2 |
7 | 1 doz plates | 1.80 |
8 | Bed clothes | 4.5 |
Transcription
Testimony of Claimant
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:
My name is Aberdeen LeCounte, my age 36 years, my residence Liberty County, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
My name is Aberdeen LeCount. I was born in Liberty County Ga a slave and became free when the Army came into the County in 1864. I am 36 years of age. I reside in Liberty County on John L Harden’s Plantation. I am a farmer and the claimant in this case.
2. Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? if so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?
From the 1st of April 1861 to Dec 1864 I resided on John L Harden Plantation, after the Union Army came into the County I moved about from place to place in the county of Liberty and finally went back on to Mr Hardin Plantation and am living there now I was a regular farmer all the time and worked for My Master.
3. Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?
Irrelevant.
4. Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to “bear true faith,” or “yield obedience” to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.
Irrelevant.
5. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?
The only oath I took was when I went to register for voteing [voting].
6 to 28 inclusive having been read over to the claimant to each and every question he answers “no.”
29. Did you ever do anything for the United States Government or its army, or for the Union cause, during the war? If so, state fully what you did.
The only thing I could do or had an opportunity of doing was when the raid passed through I helped them gather up things on the Plantation they asked me to do so, and I did anything they wanted me to do that I could do.
30 to 39 inclusive to each and every question having been read over to claimant answers “no”.
40. At the beginning of the rebellion did you sympathize with the Union cause, or with the rebellion? What were your feelings and what your language on the subject? On which side did you exert your influence and cast your vote? What did you do, and how did you vote? How did you vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession? After the ordinance of secession was adopted in your State did you adhere to the Union cause, or did you “go with the State?”
At the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Yankee side I felt glad and long to see the day come and when they did come I shouted for joy I told my friends I was glad God hath put it into the hearts of some loyal men to strike of[f] the chain binding us down. I gave all the influence I had on the side of the United States and continued that way till Sherman and Kilpatricks Army came into Liberty County and though they striped [stripped] us of every thing I still rejoiced.
41. [Original Question 34.] In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that you were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?
In conclusion I do solemnly swear that after I heard about the war against the United States to the end, or when the Yankees came here, my feelings were all the time, constantly, with the Union cause I never of my own free will and accord did did anything or attempted to do anything by word or deed to injure said cause or retard its success and that I was ready and willing at all times to help the Yankees to aid or assist them in any way I could I was a slave all the time and could not do much My heart and prayers they had all the time.
[Question 42 only asked of women]
43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.
At the beginning of the war I was a slave and became free when the Union Army came into Liberty County – I continued farming all the time. I belonged to Mr Harden My Father belonged to William LeCount and he gave me a colt, I raised her and she had a colt and I raised it to be a very fine animal and the Yankees took her from me. My Father gave me the first colt about 10 years before the raid passed throug[h] and she was the mother of the mare the Yankees took from me that is the way I got the mare charged in my account I bought the saddle I got the means to pay for it and other necessarys by selling hogs and Poultry. I live on my old masters land and pay him rent $15.00 for all the land I can work, I owe him $15. rent for this year or shall on the first of Jany [January]. I have paid him $5 of that in work, so I shall owe him next Jany $10.00 only I worked this year about ten acres – last year 8 ½ acres – I used to work for my master by task in that way I had considerable time for “my own self” – to work and raise what I pleased he allowed his slaves a chance in that way [to] do for themselves – he never interfered with anything belonging to the slaves on his place – I am the only person interested in this claim I am not prosecuting it for anybody else
Revised Questions as the Taking or Furnishing of Property, to be Answered by Claimants and Witnesses.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when the Soldiers took the property from me.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the property taken.
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
They said they come to turn all us loose, free, & said they wanted to lay hold on everything we had and asked us where we hid items. They got all they could lay hands on but we didn’t have any money.
4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?
This property was taken from my house on Mr Harden’s plantation, in the month of Dec 1864. I don’t remember the day of the week. I don’t know the mens but it was taken by Soldiers belonging to Kilpatricks command. The place was crowded with Soldiers couldn’t tell how many I was ?excited? I didn’t expect to be called on to remember how many. They took the horse and saddle and bridle, and potatoes etc the first day and they were 2 days taking all of my property.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Thomas LeCount, Morris LeCount, Somerset Stewart, Ben Howard, and others, were there at the taking of my property.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
There were officers present at the taking of my property. There was a sergeant there. All I know is he belonged to Kilpatricks command. They were on horses, all of Kilpatrick’s men were.
7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.
I had the horse in the lot and they took my horse and asked me have you got a saddle & bridle here? I went and got them and they put them on the horse and loaded up their horses and got mine and went off. They shot the fowls right down in the shed and knocked them down with sticks. They put them on the horses. They took the bedclothes I sewed them up and put the rice in them and some of the rice they fed right there. They went into the house and took the potatoes out.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
A white lady had a carraige [carriage] there and they took it and loaded it up, and some they took on horses.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They carried this property to their camp about a quarter of a mile off. I could see them they went right to the camp. I did not need to follow them.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
I know they used some of it at my door to feed the horses. I can’t see any other way but they must have taken it for their own use. They did not have any of it when they left their camp to go to Midway their headquarters.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
One of the orderly Sergeant’s said that their orders was to take everything but that the soldiers were not allowed to break up and destroy anything and if we could prove they did so they would be punished.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not ask for a voucher or receipts for the taking of this property, did not think there would ever be any use for it.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
This property was taken in the daytime They came at all hours but not at night I think they came about 9 oclock in the morning.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
The Army were encamped in that neighborhood when this property was taken; about a quarter of a mile from my house on Sam Vanadoos’s [presumably Varnadoe] plantation. They staid [stayed] there a day and a night and then moved on to headquarters at Midway. There had been no battles or skirmishes just before my property was taken. These soldiers were cavalry men of Kilpatrick’s corps. I could tell the officers by their dress didn’t know any of them personally.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
This property was all in good condition. It was all new made the crop and there were no inferior articles.
16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.
Item No 1. This mare was about 5 years old; of medium size and well broken to the saddle and harness. The white folks were at me to sell or trade her to them she was such a nice animal but I wouldn’t do it. She was a stout thick horse. I raised this mare from a colt. I owned her mother.
Item No 2. An English saddle of leather. I had it in use about 9 months I had an old one that I used all along for rough use. I got the bridle and saddle and martingale all one time. I kept this for Sunday use and for putting on the mare when I let her sometimes. They made me bring out my saddle and bridle and everything that belonged to it and just put them right on the horse and rode her off.
Item No 3. I had 10 pr of fowls of my own raising. They was shot down and knocked down. These fowls were my slaves all the slaves I could own, when I got through with my hard task master.
Item No 4. I had 30 bus [bushels] of rough rice of my own raising. They threw some of the rice out in the yard to feed the horses and they took my wife’s clothes, and bedding and tied it up and put the rice in them and took it off. I measured this rice. It was my regular customary rule to see how much I could raise on the little farm outside of the task work.
Item No 5. I had 7 bus [bushels] of sweet potatoes measured and put in the house. They took 7 bus [bushels] one time and 5 at another. This was the way I gave it in to my attorney Mr Sims [Simms].
Item No 6. I had half a bus [bushel] of clean rice. I don’t know how much it would weigh. I think a pint of rice is a lb [pound].They took it just as they did the rest – walked right in and took it, they didn’t eat any of it there. They ate some potatoes there that was the only thing they makes you cook potatoes for them.
Item No 7. They took a doz [dozen] of common blue edged large, dinner plates from me. common coarse ware. I don’t know the use they made of them.
Item No 8. They took 2 wool Blankets and 2 quilts. they took some of my wife’s clothing to tie up the rice in; and they took some of my clothing and the mattress they tossed and turned everything out. They stripped us clean left us nothing but what we had on I had these things ever since I was small, and went on raising them. I lost my hogs they went off in the woods and I couldnt find them that is the reason I had none at the time of the raid. All this property the saddle and bridle and all the rest belonged to me, and was taken by Kilpatrick cavalry. I have never received any pay yet for any part of this property. This is the first and only claim I have ever presented against the Government. My master allowed all of his slaves to own property, all that they could make after they had finished.
Testimony of Witness (Somerset Stewart)
My name is Somerset Stewart. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, a slave, became free when the raid came through. Mr John LeCount was my master. I am about 65 years old. I live at the same plantation Mr John LeCount’s plantation. He is living in California. I am a farmer. I know the claimant Aberdeen LeCount. I am not related to him at all. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him ever since he was a little boy. He was on the Yankee side all the time.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when the Yankees took this property from the claimant.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw this property taken.
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
They said they had orders to take such things as they wanted from White and Colored both. They said they needed such things and they had orders to take it wherever they could find it. They went right on and took the property.
4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?
This property was taken at Claimant’s house on John LeCount’s plantation. They were taken at the same time the raid passed along here. I can’t remember the year they were taken but it was in Dec. It was taken by Mr Kilpatrick’s Army. There were lots of soldiers present at the taking of this property. I never counted them but there was a quantity there. They came there for 2 or 3 days at his place. Everytime they came they took things till they got them all away.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
A good many were there present – Thomas LeCount, Morris LeCount, Tony West, and myself and claimant and others were there at the taking of this property.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
I didn’t see any officers there to know them. I did not hear anyone give orders to the soldiers to take this property but the soldier’s [SIC] said themselves they had been ordered to do it.
7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.
The horse was out in the yard they went in and took him and put the saddle and bridle right on, and loaded him up with what they could put on him and took him off.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
They moved this property on horses and in wagons except the chickens some of them they cooked there, and they fed some of the rice to the horses and ate some of the potatoes.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They took this property to the camp, I went with them.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
They said their provisions and things had about given out and they wanted these things for the use of the Army. I saw them using some of this property at Claimant’s house, and some at the camps.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not hear the Claimant make any complaint to any officers on account of the taking of the property.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not hear any voucher or receipt asked for.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
They took this property in the day time, about before midday.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
The Army were encamped near there, when they took this property about 3 miles from Claimant’s house. The Soldiers who took his property staid [stayed] there on the plantation one night, then they went off, and another squad came right in. These soldiers belonged to Mr Kilpatrick’s Army. There had been no battles nor skirmishes near there. I did not know any of the quartermasters or other officers of the Army.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
This property was all in good condition when taken.
16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.
Item No 1. This horse was 5 years old. A good middling size horse in good order. He had this horse a good while he got the breed from his Father, he raised the mare and this colt from the mare. This colt was 5 years old when the Yankees took her. She was well broken to the harness and saddle.
Item No 2. This was a nice leather saddle and bridle. He had not used them much when the raid came and took them. They were nearly new. They threw the luggage on their horse and rode this one off. They said they had orders to take every horse not to leave one because the Rebels would come behind them and take them.
Item No 3. I think he had 12 or 20 head of fowls, all good large fowls. They caught some and shot some. They took some right along with them some in wagons and some on horses and some they cooked right there.
Item No 4. He had about 30 bus [bushels] of rough rice. I think he had it measured; he told me that he had so much and I saw the pile and judged by that. They moved the rice in their big wagons. They took it out to the wagons in baskets and bed clothes and women’s clothing, and seemed to keep it apart, so much for such a gang, and so much for such a gang. There seemed to be 2 parties of soldiers there.
Item No 5. He had 5 bus [bushels] of potatoes in the house. I saw them measured before. I know they took the potatoes but I can’t give the exact potato quantity of them. They took these away in bed clothes and such things and put them in the wagons.
Item No 6. He had half a bus ]bushel] of clean rice. They took the clean rice away in a bag. They carried the things off all kinds of fashion they would take a woman’s dress and carry things off in it.
Item No 7. He had 1 doz [dozen] of plates taken from him, blue and white all mixed. They used some of them there at the yard to eat from and as soon as they done eat, they took them right along, saying they wanted them to use as they go.
Item No 8. They took I think 3 blankets all wool, and 3 quilts from Claimant. They took them away in the wagons, and some put them right on the horses under the saddle and said they wanted them to use when they camped.
This property all belonged to Claimant. I know because I lived on the plantation with him and I know his master allowed his slaves to have a chance to live and work for themselves when they had finished their task work. Mr LeCount worked his slaves by the task. A good active hand could finish his task by 12 oclock and even he might at 11 oclock if the ground was easy to work and kept clean. All the time made in that way belonged to the slave. This was the way that that claimant Aberdeen LeCount worked and made his property. I never heard any body claim this horse of his, no body never claim it.
Somerset Stewart
Witness E. E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Ben Howard)
My name is Ben Howard. I was born in Liberty County Georgia a slave and became free when the Union Army came into the County. I belonged to Joseph LeCount. I am 30 years of age, I reside on Joseph LeCounts Plantation and a farmer I am not related to the Claimant at all, I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I knew him during the war and to be a good Union man as good as you could find anywhere.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present at his {Claimant} house when the soldiers took the property specified in his petition from him.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw all of the property taken
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
When they came to claimant house they said nothing that I can now remember they said they was after provision and forage for the Army and just went in took all he had in short order.
4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?
The property was taken at Claimants house on Widow Harden Plantation in December when the Yankee Army came through here, I don’t remember the year now – it was taken by Genl [General] Kilpatricks soldiers. I don’t know how many there were. I could not count them they was so thick. I could not get out among them – they were parts of two days taking his property as far as my memory serves me.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Somerset Stewart Thomas LeCount Claimant and I was present besides the soldiers.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
I did not know officers from private then. I did not hear any order given there was so much noise and confusion. I did not give any attention about that.
7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.
They came to his house got his mare saddle and bridle and rode her off they took the rice from the house and put it into a wagon and carried it off and went right on and took everything.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
They removed the property in wagons and on horses.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They removed it to the camp at least they went in that direction I did not follow them to see where they went.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
I suppose they took the property for the use of the Army, I saw them using rice and potatoes I saw them using the horse to ride, this is all I know about the use, I have no doubt in my mind but what they took it all for the Army they were in want of about everything.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not hear any Complaint made.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not hear any voucher asked for or any receipt
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
The property was taken in the day time and before noon.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
When the property was taken the Army was encamped at Midway Church about 7 miles from Claimants place it was said to be Kilpatricks Army I think they staid [stayed] there about 3 or 4 weeks they were foraging all over the County till they had got everything in it I did not know any of the Quartermaster or other officer of the Army
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
The property was all in fine condition.
16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.
Item No 1 The horse was 5 or 6 years old I think – fat and well broken to harness and the saddle he was a good medium size horse – I saw the soldiers ride him off using his bridle and saddle
Item No 2 The saddle was an English Leather Saddle – nearly new he kept it hanging up in his house for a [word] saddle, the bridle was a new bridle Leather [word] I saw them take the bridle and saddle with the horse. –
Item No 3 I saw them take ten pair of Fowls if I dont mistake the number
Item No 4 I saw them take 30 bushels of rough rice I saw it measured when he put it away for his own use and sales it was his own raising –
Item No 5 I dont know how many Potatoes Claimant had I saw them take the Potatoes I know he had a good little chance of Potatoes they took some of them in bags on horses and some they put into wagons –
Item No 6 I saw them take a half a bushel of clean rice from Claimant – that they put into some white garment and carried it off
Item No 7 I saw them take one doz [dozen] dinner plates they were nearly new he had just bought them
Item No 8 I saw them take Blankets and quilts but I dont know how many I saw them take some shirts.
I saw all the property charged in his account taken by the Union Soldiers. I know it all belonged to Claimant because he had been having and saving such property for some time and I never heard any body else claim it and I know his Master allowed him to own such property – he was a hard working industrious man
Ben Howard
Witness Virgil Hillyer
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
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[Page for Special Commissioner’s comments left blank]
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No. 20667 Unfavorable
Aberdeen LeCount, Col’d [Colored]
Liberty County, Ga
Testimony of Aberdeen LeCount page 1
Report Sp’l Agt [Special Agent] page 5
Respectfully forwarded from Waynesboro, Ga
July 20, 1878
R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agt
Attys notified, July 24, 1878
Submitted July 28/78
Gilmore & Co
Testimony of Claimant
Testimony of claimant, Aberdeen LeCount, colored, taken under oath at Cross Roads Church, Liberty County, Ga, June 5th, 1878:
Please repeat this oath:
I, Aberdeen LeCount, do solemnly swear that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to all matters whereof I may be questioned: So help me God.
Who made out your claim?
Mr Simms come around and got the claim I never paid him but 75 c[cents] the first time he came, I disremember what I was to pay him. Hillyer took the testimony. Mr Simms told me if I would pay the costs then he would forward the testimony. I didn’t do that. That was last year. Mr Sumner Allen, at Riceboro told me if I would give him the privilege of acting for me he would pay Simms the costs, and have the testimony forwarded, and I agreed to do that. I am to give Mr Allen 25 c [cents] on the dollar of what is all owed. Mr Allen said he get the claim from Mr Simms.
Where were you living when the property was taken?
On the Lecount place, where I live now. No, I was on the John L. Harden place. I belonged to Harden. He married a daughter of old Lewis Lecount. He died before I was born.
What property did you have when the raid came?
Well, I had a horse, cows, chickens, and such provision as rice and corn.
What kind of horse did you have?
A sorrel mare. I raised her from a colt. She was rising of four years old. Mr Harden would borrow her from me some times when he come down to the plantation. I raised the colt from my own mare. Father gave her to mother, and she gave me a colt, and that mare had a colt, and that was the one the army got from me. The mother died. There was a big lot of soldiers. They just asked for the horses, and we told them they were ours. They said they wanted them, and took them. Mr Hardin was in Savannah at that time. Mr Hardin was in the Army. The white folks had only two mules, and no horses on the place at that time. The mare I had was a size taller than the one you are driving, but not as large in the body. [The horse I am driving is about 13 ½ hands high.]
They took my saddle and bridle at the same time. It was an English saddle. I bought it. I bought it from Mr Dunham. He’s died [dead]. The saddle and bridle cost me $15. Oh, law yes, before the war. Of course I’d been riding it some, but not much up to the time they took it.
Do you remember how many fowls you had and what kind they were?
Well, yes. I had six pair. They were all chickens.
How much rice did you have?
About 30 bushels. I had it in two boxes. One held 20 bushels and the other ten They had an old ox cart, and they tied it up in blankets and quilts, and made out a load. It was about 7 miles they had to go to their headquarters. They had others’ property besides mine on the cart. There were several people there, and they took from all of them. There were a great many soldiers, for two or three days. I never knew before how much a horse could carry I made the rice. None of it was given me by my master. I would always get through my daily labor and have time to plant extra crop’s for myself That was rough rice. I had about half a bushel of clean rice. That was just thrashed out, but was not cleaned.
Had you any potatoes?
Yes, sir. I had them in the bank. I had been feeding off of them. I think I had about ¾ of an acre in potatoes that year. I never know rightly how many bushels of potatoes there was.
What bedding did they take from you?
A Mattrass [Mattress], Moss Mattrass. My wife made it. Sheets and quilts. 2 sheets and three quilts, and the pillows. Two pillows. They emptied the feathers out, and took the tick and [word.]
Your master furnished you this bedding?
No, sir. I furnished it myself. In the winter they would generally give you one blanket, but times had been so severe that the old lady had not furnished us any for two years. We had to do the best we could.
Now hear this read, and say whether it is correct:
They got no cows. They did took my cow, and I went there and asked for it, and he told me to go and drove it out, and I did. They took it, and returned it. That is the way. Haven’t I any hogs there? Well, they took hogs certain. Six head, 5 barrows and one sow. That is now correct. They certainly carried away corn. About 25 bushels of ear corn. It would have made 12 ½ bushels of clean corn. It ought to have been down.
Aberdeen Lecount
Attest
R.B. Avery
Sp’l [Special] Come [Commissioner]
Special Agent’s Report
The claimant in this case is a leader, and pretty sharp, not over conscientious , though he is a deacon in the church. I was at his house, in his absence. It was clean, but did not contain $10 worth of furniture and cooking utensils, including bedding. But Aberdeen dresses pretty well. I made inquiry of a large number, and learned that he had no horse of his own. His mother told me the horse was hers. The same one charged in this claim, and that Aberdeen had none. The rice was here, and corn. It is possible he had some potatoes and chickens, but very few. He was very young then – not more than thirty years old now. The saddle and “bits” -bridle- belonged to his mother, and was not in his possession. All the story he tells about how he got these things is false, and what property was taken belonged to his mother, to which he had no title.
Very respectfully,
R.B. Avery
Sp’l [Special] Agt [Agent]
[image 6548]
LeCount, Liberty Co. 20669
For Agent
Rec’d Savannah, Ga
May 14th, 1878
[image 6549]
Rec’d Savannah, Ga
May 14th, 1878
[first two lines too faded to read, and unfortunately appear to contain the name of the informant]
…yes the same horse that was the one Aberdeen claimed. All my saddle bits and everything the horse gone from here. All the grain was here. The hogs and fowls were over at Deens.
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Claimant was a slave at the beginning of the war and became free when the army came. Had been the slave of Wm [William] Harden. His father belonged to Wm [William] LeCount. He (the father) gave clmt [claimant] a colt 10 years before the raid came and she was the mother of the mare the Yankees took. Lives on his old Master’s land and pays $15 for all the land he can work. Clmt. [Claimant] got his property by working in task.
Account
Sorrel Mare – Saddle and bridle – 10 pr [pair] of Fowls – 30 Bus[bushels] of Rice – 7 Bus [bushels] of Potatoes 1 ½ Bus [bushels] of clean Rice – 1 Doz [dozen] Plates – Bed Clothes – $240.30
Witnesses
Somerset Stewart – Ben Howard
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[copy of claim cover sheet]
The claimant was a slave and lived on his masters plantation in Liberty Co. Ga until freed by the war. When the claim was submitted upon the testimony taken on the part of the claimant alone we doubted his ownership of this property alleged to have been taken by him – an investigation by our agent Mr Avery confirms our doubts and the claim is disallowed
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferriss
Com [Commissioner] of Claims
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