William (“Billy”) Gilmore was about 43 at the end of 1864 when the soldiers of Sherman’s Army arrived in Liberty County, Georgia, where he was enslaved on Raymond Cay, Sr’s plantation. Gilmore testified before the Southern Claims Commission in 1873 that the soldiers came first to his home and took all that he had, then went to his wife Hagar’s house on Sidney Fleming’s plantation, six miles away, and took all that they owned there together. The soldiers were like a “trail of ants,” he said, coming and going from their camp at Midway Church until they had taken everything: his horse, his wagon and harness, the cows, hogs, corn, peas, potatoes, rice, chickens, and beehives.
Gilmore said that he had been given a sow by an old friend named Sampson Lambert, and from that sow he had raised hogs and also chickens until he was able to sell enough of them to buy a 4-year-old horse, which he had for three years until the soldiers took it. As he got more money, he bought a cow and a calf. He and his wife were able to do this because Fleming and Cay, like most slaveowners in Liberty County at that time, required a certain amount of work per day, then allowed them to work for themselves and keep what they raised.
Gilmore called three witnesses, all formerly enslaved, as well as his wife. William Roberts said he was about 50 years old and had been born on [John] Lambert’s plantation in Liberty County, but was enslaved by Raymond Cay Sr. as of 1864, still lived on his plantation, and had seen the property taken. He described Gilmore as a “hard working industrious man,” and said he had worked on the farm as a wagoner and also had done task work in the fields. About himself, Roberts said he was still on Cay’s plantation as a farmer and also worked as a carpenter and did some blacksmithing during the winter.
Peter Way testified that he also was enslaved by Raymond Cay Sr, and saw the property taken there. He estimated that Cay owned 50 to 60 “head of slaves,” and described Cay as “not so good and not so bad a master,” adding that he never used anything that belonged to his slaves, and would not even ride one of their horses without asking first, though he could have.
Bob Winn testified that he had seen Hagar Gilmore’s property taken at Sidney Fleming’s plantation, where he was also enslaved. He was 42 or 43 when he testified, and said that he now lived at “Mr. Lyons at North Newport Church.” [NOTE: The North Newport Baptist Church was located at the current site of the First African Baptist Church, and Frederick R. Lyons was its pastor.] Winn described how the property was taken, and noted that he had been Fleming’s foreman, so he knew what Hagar and Billy Gilmore had owned there.
In Hagar Gilmore’s 1873 testimony, she said she was about 42 or 43 and that her slaveowner had been Sidney Fleming. She said she had been the one to buy the horse; her husband had given her a sow and she sold the hogs she raised from it for cash and bought the horse. Gilmore had bought the wagon and harness and had given them to her to keep, she said.
The Southern Claims Commission officials were suspicious of the testimony by the African American witnesses, and asked their special agent, W.W. Paine, to investigate. As was usually the case, they wanted the testimony of white witnesses. Paine went to Liberty County and interviewed Raymond Cay Sr., who had been Gilmore’s slaveowner. Cay testified that he knew that Gilmore had owned a horse, and that it had disappeared when the soldiers came and everyone had said it was taken by them, but that he knew of no other property owned by Gilmore. Paine also interviewed William M. Winn, whom he described as a very respectable citizen of Liberty County; Winn said he had known Gilmore all his life and doubted that he had any property. Paine noted that Winn lived 20 miles away from Cay’s property. Another white Liberty County landowner, Dr. E.J. DeLegal, also said he doubted Gilmore had owned the property he claimed.
Sidney Fleming was dead, and since much of the property had been on his plantation, that was not helpful to the claim. Paine said he had talked to one of Fleming’s sons, who said that both he and his brother had been in the Confederate Army and could not speak to what property Gilmore might have owned. Cay’s and the others’ testimony swayed the Commission officials, and they decided to award Gilmore only $70, for the horse.
Gilmore also said that he had done some cooking for the U.S. soldiers after they arrived in Liberty County. “My wife and all my family were so glad to see them they done all they could for them all the time they were in the neighborhood,” he said, adding that when he had first heard about the war, “I felt good and proud, and I said thank God we will be delivered out of bondage.” Even while describing what they had taken from him, he said, “they left us in very bad condition I was willing to give all for my freedom I would not go back into slavery for twice the amount or any amount I value freedom too much to sell it for anything or any price.” William Roberts testified that he did not hear Gilmore protest to the troops about taking his property. “All I heard him say was he was glad, after he heard the condition they was in, that he had something for them,” he said.
Hagar and Billy Gilmore testified in 1873 that they were living on Capt. Winn’s plantation about two miles from Riceboro.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
William Gilmore’s birth year is given in various documents as between 1819-1821. His wife Hagar’s birthdate is given as between 1827-1835. She herself reported her age in her Southern Claims Commission testimony, putting her birth year around 1827. Their first known child, Margaret, was born around 1854, according to the 1870 census. It is possible there were older children who were already on their own by the time of the 1870 census.
Slavery
William Gilmore
William Gilmore said that his slaveowner at the time of the Civil War was Raymond Cay Senior, who was still alive by the end of the war, so there would be no probate documents naming his enslaved people. However, in 1844 Raymond Cay Senior did purchase 14 enslaved people for $4300 from W.P. McConnell, who had mortgaged them and others to George W. Walthour. McConnell had defaulted on the mortgage, so the enslaved people were put up for auction at the Hinesville courthouse and sold to the highest bidder. A Billy was named among the ones purchased by Cay. Billy would have been about 24 at the time; it is very likely that he would have had relatives among the group sold. Now, Billy was a relatively common name, and this might not be the same Billy. In 1840, Cay did own one male slave between the ages of 10 and 23, who could have been Billy.
Hagar Gilmore
Hagar Gilmore said her slaveowner at the time of the Civil War was Sidney Fleming. John Sidney Fleming died in 1847, and there is a Hagar, valued at $400, in his estate inventory of 1848. At the time, Fleming had two minor children, so the estate was not divided until 1860, when Hagar was valued at $800 and given to Fleming’s son John S. Fleming. In 1861, Fleming used Hagar as collateral on a mortgage and said she was about 22 at the time, which is the right age for this to be Hagar Gilmore, so it was this younger Fleming who was her slaveowner at the time of the Civil War. Special Agent Paine said in his report that the elder Fleming’s two sons, presumably John S. Fleming and Thomas Q. Fleming, had said they were unable to testify for the Gilmores because they were serving in the Confederate Army and were not able to verify the property ownership.
Fleming may not have been Hagar’s original enslaver. In 1844, John Sidney Fleming (Sr) bought an enslaved female named Hagar from Wilson Winn, who, based on the date, was probably William Wilson Winn (1818-1887), son of John Winn and Eliza Wilson. (There was a William John Winn living at this time, but he was born in 1838, so was too young to have engaged in this transaction.) Hagar would have been about five years old at this time. It is noteworthy that in her testimony, she said she was born in Liberty County but did not say that Fleming was her owner all her life.
Post-War
In 1870, William and Hagar Gilmore were living near Albert Wilson, Jesse Love, Frank Spencer, and Peter Winn. They had six children in their household — Margaret (16), Hannah (13), William (10), Darkie (8), Silvy (5), and Bob (3) — and were farming on 7 acres of rented land. In 1880, they appeared to be living in the same place, and still had with them their children William (19), Darkie (now listed as Dafne) (17), Silva (13), and Bob (11). All were working on the farm — 15 acres that they were sharecropping — except for Dafne, whose occupation was listed as nurse. No record was found in Liberty County Superior Court of William or Hagar Gilmore owning land.
As for the location of the land, William and Hagar Gilmore were living on “Captain Winn’s plantation” in 1873, according to their testimony. There were a number of Winns in Liberty County but this is most likely Captain Abial Winn, who had been captain of the Liberty Independent Troop during the Civil War, and who died in 1874. The William M. Winn who talked to Special Agent Paine during his investigation of the Gilmores’ claim was Abial Winn’s son.
On July 31, 1875, Billy Gilmore swore out a warrant for the arrest of August Maxwell, who he said had stolen a red ox worth $30 from him and had delivered it to Sephos [alt: Syphus] Norman in McIntosh County.
No evidence was found in the Midway Congregational Church records that William or Hagar were members there.
It appears likely that William Gilmore died in the latter half of 1880. He was listed in the 1880 U.S. federal census in 1880, and he had paid property tax of $15 for probably an ox for the 1879 tax year, but Hagar paid the tax for the 1880 tax year. Neither of them were listed in the 1900 census.
Citations:
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 181, p. 18, dwelling #171, family #172, enumerated on November 15, 1870, by W.S. Norman, Billy and Hagar Gilmore household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Disctrict 15, enumeration district 67, p. 13, dwelling #127, family #128, Billy and Hagar Gilmore household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020).
U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, 1870, Liberty County, Georgia, Subdivision 181, Billy Gilmore; digital image, Ancestry.com, “U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880,” Georgia, Liberty County, Subdivision 181, image #2, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020)
U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, 1880, Liberty County, Georgia, Subdivision 181, Billy Gilmore; digital image, Ancestry.com, “U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880,” Georgia, Liberty County, Subdivision 181, image #18, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020)
Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1878-1885, Militia District 15, William Gilmore; digital image, Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1878-1885, Militia District 15, 1879, Image #83, (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020).
Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1878-1885, Militia District 15, Hagar Gilmore; digital image, Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1878-1885, Militia District 15, 1880, Image #178, (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7/27/2020).
Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Old General Book “C”, 1850-1853, p. 505, Estate Appraisement of Edmund B. Way; digital image, Ancestry.com, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Miscellaneous Probate Records 1850-1853 vol C and L,” image #302. Record summarized and put online by Stacy Ashmore Cole at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/03/22/liberty-county-estate-inventory-edmund-b-way/)
1875 Warrant by Billie Gilmore
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9QW-YNY8?cc=1999178&wc=9SBJ-RMQ%3A267679901%2C267960801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Estates 1775-1892 Fraser, Andrew-Goulding, Palmer > image 771 of 1211.
Raymond Cay Sr
1844 Purchase of 14 enslaved people from W.P. McConnell naming Billy
https://theyhadnames.net/2019/10/09/bill-of-sale-mcconnell-cay/
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book M, pp. 172-3. Image #115 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5ZVT?i=114)
W.P. McConnell mortgage to George W. Walthour naming Billy
https://theyhadnames.net/2020/03/22/used-as-collateral-mcconnell-walthour/
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 229-30. Image #443 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9K6-J?i=442&cat=292358)
John Sidney Fleming Sr.
See this link for analysis of John Sidney Fleming’s ownership of Hagar:
https://theyhadnames.net/2019/10/09/hagar-robert-the-fleming-family-research-snippet/
1844 John Sidney Fleming’s Purchase of Hagar From William Winn
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book M, pp. 171. Image #114 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5H51?i=113)
1848 Estate Inventory naming Hagar
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93L-GHFX?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 659 of 689.
1860 Division of John Sidney’s Fleming’s estate naming Hagar
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893T-XTX8?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 273 of 703.
1861 Use of Hagar as Collateral by John S. Fleming (Jr)
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. O-P 1854-1870,” Record Book P, p. 182 (image #463). (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSYW-4?i=462&cat=2923580)
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
Amount of Claim: $460.50
Total Amount Allowed: $70
Nature of Claim: Army Supplies
Claimant living in: Riceboro, Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in: Raymond Cay Senior’s plantation in Riceboro
Claim #: 21480
Secondary Claim #: 43636
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-08-01
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-10-17
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay Jr.
Property Removed to: Midway, Georgia
Date property removed: 1864-12-20, 1864-12-18
Army unit involved: Howard Corps commanded by Generals Howard & Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1876-12-04
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro, GA
Original Claim:
Amended Claim:
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a slave & belonged to Raymond Cay. Not satisfied with the proof of his ownership of the property we referred the claim to Mr. Paine for examination. He examined Mr. Winn & Mr. DeLegal, who doubted about the claimant’s owning the property he claims. He also examined Mr. Cay the former owner of the claimant who says that he did own a horse but does not know of his owning any other property.
We allow for the horse $70, the value as by Mr. Cay & reject the rest.
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commers [Commissioners] of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Claimant named an officer who directed the taking of his property: Col. Murray, Midway. Claimant’s signature was witnessed by Raymond Cay, Jr, and Jno [John] D. Cay. Claim was originally filed for $460.50 but was amended to add a horse and wagon & harness. NOTE: Treasury Department disbursed $70 to William Gilmore on April 20, 1874. Claimant was referred to both as William and Billy in the claim.]
Petition to Amend Account:
And now comes William Gilmore claimant and by his attorney Raymond Cay respectfully represents:
That he desires to condemn the items in his account as presented in his petition numbered as above (#21480), and also to add to said account as item no. 1 one bay horse (Jerry) $160.00 and as item no. 2. One spring wagon & harness $115.
That claimant’s account as presented in items accompanying this testimony amounting to the sum of six hundred and sixty three dollars ($663.00) may be regarded as his proper account, in lieu of that which appears in his petition heretofore filed & numbered as aforesaid.
That your petitioner & claimant may be allowed to introduce testimony to prove the said account as amended.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
[Signed] Raymond Cay
Claimant’s Counsel
Sworn to and subscribed before [me] this 29th day September 1873
E.H. Shackelford J.P.
1175 ?Dish Gall? Mitchell Co, Ga.
Testimony of Claimant
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:
My name is William Gilmore, my age 52 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.
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
My name is William Gilmore. I was born in Liberty County a slave and became free when the raid passed through. I am 52 years of age reside on Capt [Captain] Winn’s Plantation, two miles from Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia, 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 and for 20 years before to the 1st of June 1865 I lived on Raymond Cay’s Sr. [Senior] Plantation in Liberty County I belonged to him
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 register in Riceboro to vote I think it was in 1867 I swore to be true to the United States and a good many other things I dont [don’t] remember now
6 to 28 inclusive to each and every question the claimant 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 ever had a chance to do was cooking and doing all I could for the Yankees after the raid came to my place. My wife and all my family were so glad to see them they done all they could for them all the time they were in the neighborhood and at my house coming to and going from all the time
30 to 39 inclusive to each and every question the 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 Union cause when I heard of it I felt good and proud, and I said thank God we will be delivered out of bondage. All the influence I could exert was on the Yankees side that was the way I felt and what I did all the time till the raid came
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?
I do solemnly declare, that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof my feelings was constantly with the cause of the United States that I never of my 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 I was at all times ready and willing when called upon or if called to aid and assist the cause of the Union or its supporter so far as my means and person and the circumstances of my case and situation permitted.
[Question 42 asked only of female claimants.]
If the claimant be a colored person, ask the following questions:
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 Yankees came into Liberty County – after I became free I continued right on farming I raised the property specified in my petition which the Yankees took from me except the horse and one cow – he the first place an old friend of mine by the name of Sampson Lambert gave me a sow [word] and I commenced raised hogs and Poultry till I had sold enough to buy the horse I bought him when 4 years old then as soon as I got money enough I bought a cow with a calf and kept on in that way till I had accumulated what property the Yankee Army took from me. I worked for my master by the task and so did my wife I belonged to Raymond Cay Sr [Senior] My wife to Sidney Fleming we are not in the employ of our old masters we are now living on Capt [Captain] Winn land we rent or work land and give one third of all we raise – we do not owe our old masters anything – our masters are both living one in Walthourville and the other (Mr Fleming) up about Macon in this State. My master “Cay” owned about 110 head of slaves old and young Fleming about 15 or 20 little and big. they were good masters both of them they allowed us quarter to raise all we could get time to raise after finishing our tasks – they gave light tasks and all could have most as much time for ourselves as we gave or had to give to them – we most always had Corn, hogs, Poultry and such like to sell to our master they raised Cotton and Rice – they never allowed us to raise cotton I believe that was the custom all over Liberty Co during slavery times –
2d Set of Interrogatories by Special Commission:
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 articles of property specified in my petition, from me.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw them take the horse, the wagon and harness, the Cattle, the Corn, the Rice meat hogs and the stock, chicks honey. I saw all the property taken what was at my house and what was at my wife; they came to my house on Wednesday and Thursday and took all I had: on Friday I went to my wife house and then they came there and took all we had on Friday and Saturday – She lived 6 miles from me but I had a horse and could go and see her just when I pleased and could get time.
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 the soldiers came up they said Sam – who’s property is this I said it is mine, they said they must have it they were in service and must have what they wanted to eat they killed the meat hogs in the pen they carried off the hogs and they filled up the sacks with corn Peas and Potatoes and went off they came back pretty soon or others did they were just like a trail of ants coming and going all the time till they had got every thing away from my house and it was just so all over the county when they found anything on a Plantation they kept coming and going till they got it all I never saw such a site [sight] before or since and never expect to while I live.
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 my house and at my wifes on Cay’s and Fleming’s Plantations in Liberty County in December near Christmas I dont [don’t] remember the year The property was taken by the Soldiers of Kilpatricks Command there were so many of them I could or did not count them – they been two days or part of two days taking the things from my house and the same about taking what my wife had.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
I was present at the taking of the property Wm [William] Roberts Peter Way Stephen Spencer and Robert Winn and lots of others.
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 saw officers there with the soldiers but I did not know their names or rank they belonged to Kilpatrick’s Command, they said so that is all I know about that. I know they were officers because they had “things on their shoulders and arms I did not hear any order given to take the property they was by and did not object so I suppose they must have been taking it by order.
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 up to my house loaded up Corn Rice and filled all them sacks and put them into the wagons and drove off the horse was taken at my wifes house they took my horse and put to the wagon using my harness loaded up the wagon with corn and rice and drove 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.
The property was removed on horse and in wagon they used my pants and shirts to put corn rice and other things into and put on to horse and carried them off
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?
The property was removed to Midway Church to their camp I went with them and saw them deliver some of the things there, and I believe they took them all there they took my pots and kittle [kettle] so I had nothing to cook in I went then to an officer to get some of them back the officer I went to told me the soldiers had to have something to cook it and they could not let me have them back – they must have all such things they could get I did not charge for them because I did not know that I could get pay for them they took half a doz [dozen] [2 word] from me.
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.
The property was taken for the use of the soldiers and horses. I saw them using a good deal before they moved and I stood by them in camp when they were using it.
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 make any complaint except what I said to them about the pots and things they said nothing but what they said about wanting them and did not give them to me and I never got them.
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 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 all taken in the day time they did not take anything at night at all I believe they were not allowed to go away from camp at night
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 they took the property the Army was encamped at Midway Church about 3 miles from my house they landed at Midway on Tuesday evening and Wednesday at the brake [break] of sun they were at my house – it was Kilpatrick Army encamped there – there had not been any battles or skirmish near there just before the property was taken I did not know the Quartermaster or any of them I knew Col [Colonel] Jarden I knew him because he was pointed out to me as Col Jarden –
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 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 The horse was 7 years old large-bodied horse in excellent order no bruises or galls [sores] about him, was well broke to work any where they harnessed him and put him to the wagon and drove off – I bought the horse when 4 years old and had him 3 years before the raid passed through
Item No 2 The wagon was a spring wagon square bed I had had it 3 years it was painted and in excellent order I only used it to go to church on Sunday the harness I bought at the same time I bought the wagon it was good order – they were both just about as good as new –
Item No 3 I had two Cows and two Calves the Cow 4 or 5 years old large and fat for Georgia Cows I have no idea what they would weigh they were fine cows though the Calves were spring Calves in good order they drove the Cows and Calves off to camp
Item No 4 I had all together 35 bushels of Corn – it was in the ear but my estimate is for shelled corn [2 words] of this was shelled we had two acres planted one acre each and there I calculated by the pile we had that much – they fed some at the door and the balance they toted off in wagons and on horses.
Item No 5 I calculated we had together 35 Bus [Bushels] rough Rice it was all thrashed out and in large boxes and barrels we had just thrashed it off the rice was measured I had one acre of Rice – we make – from 30 to 50 bushels of Rice to the acre – the rice was taken in sacks and in garments from the house put onto the horse and into wagons
Item No 6 I had 3 meat hogs would weigh I think 200 lbs dressed they were very large and fat they killed these 3 hogs right in the pen cut them in halves and quarter put them onto their horses and rode off they did not stop for wagons they were in a hurry
Item No 7 I had 25 head of stock hogs 12 or 13 were more than half grown – with 3 sows – they were in good order running in the potato patch I think with the sows they would weigh all of 50 lb [3 words] the balance 25 to 30 lbs each – they killed all did not leave me one for [word]
Item No 8 I had 50 head, ducks and chicken they were all in nice order and ready for Christmas market – they killed them and carried them off on their horses each side of the saddle.
Item No 9 I had 4 bee [word] taken, they broke them open and took the honey out it was cold and the bees could not fly they took all of my pots and kettles and cooking utensils all of my clothing blankets quilts and all of my wearing apparel – did not leave me a thing except what I had on, they stripped my wife’s house too took her [word] clothes to make sacks tote things in – they left us in very bad condition I was willing to give all for my freedom I would not go back into slavery for twice the amount or any amount I value freedom too much to sell it for any thing or any price I did not receive any pay for any part of the articles mentioned in my petition this claim is the first and only claim I have ever presented against the Government, or my master never presented to claim any this property he never attempted to control any of the property of his slaves raised as mine was raised he allowed them all such privilege
William Gilmore
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (William Roberts)
My name is William Roberts. I was born in Liberty Co Ga on Lambert’s plantation. I was a slave became free when the Army came in here. Raymond Cay Senr [Senior] was my master. I am about 50 years old. I reside at the Cay’s plantation in Liberty Co Ga. I am a farmer in the summer and carpenter in the winter a little of a blacksmith in the winter occasionally. I am not related to the claimant. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I know the claimant in this case have known him many years since a young man up to now. He was a good Union man during the war; always on the side of the Yankees.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when the best part of it was taken that which was taken from where I lived but that which was taken from his wife’s place I know nothing about.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw a part of the corn and rice and hogs taken. I saw the poultry 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 came up there and said they had been travelling three days without something to eat; & said they must have something to eat. After I heard that I went to my own house.
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 Mr Cay’s plantation on the 15th day of December. A cavalry company, Kilpatricks [word] took this property. There were 2 squads came up I think there were 40 in each one. Before the day was gone the place was covered with them. I think they were about 2 days taking claimant’s property from him.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Peter Way, Sylvia Baker, and myself, and Arick James, James Walthour, were present when this property was taken.
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 no officers there that I know of, when his property was taken I heard them who had straps [stripes] on their shoulders order them to take what forage they wanted and hurry back to camp.
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 took the corn and rice in sacks and some took pantaloons legs and filled it with corn. They took some salt pork killed just before, and strapped it to the saddle of 1 horse, I didn’t see but the one horse with pork on That was all I saw taken.
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 all I saw taken on horse back.
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 Midway Church. They were taking all this property they were gathering up, to the camp at Midway. I went to the camp on the 15th which was all the time I was there.
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 took this property just for feeding and eating. I did not see them eating any of it or using any of it.
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 claimant make any complaint on account of the taking of his property, all I heard him say was he was glad, after he heard the condition they was in, that he had something for them.
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 him ask for any voucher or 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?
This property was taken in the daytime.
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 when this property was taken at Midway Church 3 miles from Claimant’s house. They staid [stayed] there about 6 weeks. They were just riding all through the County gathering up property. Kilpatricks Army were encamped there. There was a battle or skirmish at Fort McAllister. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the other officers.
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 in very 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. I have seen the claimant ride a horse but I didn’t know if it was his, he said it was his. It was a bay horse. I didn’t know his age. I didn’t see the horse taken. He was a good bodied horse.
Item No 2. I saw him driving a wagon to church once. He had it a little while before the raid came. I don’t know whether it was his or not. He had a harness on his horse. I don’t know anything about harness or the horse.
Item No 3. I don’t know whether he had any cows or not. I have heard his wife had cows.
Item No 4. I think he had at his own house 25 or 30 bus [bushels] of corn. I saw it there. I don’t know how much his wife had. I saw them take some of the corn.
Item No 5. He had a little pile of rice there I think 16 or 18 bus [bushels]. I did not see it measured. I don’t know whether his wife had any rice or not. I saw them take a little of the rice while I was there.
Item No 6-7. He had a fine gang of hogs, right in the pasture with mine. The soldiers did take these.
Item No 8. I saw a lot of poultry there I saw them take some. He had a splendid lot of poultry but I don’t know how many they took.
Item No 9. I don’t know anything about the bees they were up at the other place. Mr Gilmore the claimant was a hard working industrious man. He worked on the farm as a wagoner. Then he worked with the hoe he worked task work. He belonged to the same master as myself. My house was just within calling distance of the Claimants I knew he had a large lot of hogs of different sizes, some large and some small ones. I saw the soldiers kill some of these hogs.
William Roberts
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Peter Way)
My name is Peter Way. I was born in Liberty Co Ga on Mr Winn’s plantation, a slave and became free the year the soldiers came here. My master was Mr Raymond Cay Ser [Senior]. I know the claimant in this case. He is not related to me at all. I have no beneficial interest in this claim. I have known him a good while I lived on the same plantation with him and knew him a good while before the war. He was a first rate Union man.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when a part of the property was taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the corn and rice, a part of it taken and the hogs a part of them and the poultry a part of it 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 shot the hogs and took them away. The rice was in his own house. I did not hear them say anything but they began and I saw them shooting the hogs. They took the rice and corn, and poultry.
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 claimants house on Mr Cay’s plantation, in Dec [December] before Christmas. Don’t know the year. This property was taken by Cavalry company belonging to Kilpatrick’s Army. There was a great gang of them more than I could tell taking this property. They came off and on 2 or 3 days taking this property.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
William Roberts, John Harris, myself and many others whose names I don’t remember 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?
There were officers there. I saw men there with 2 and 3 stripe that I took to be officers. I don’t know their regiment [word] they were Kilpatrick’s men. I didn’t hear any orders given. It didn’t seem to me they waited long enough for orders, they just [word] in. I saw one of the officers shoot a hog myself.
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 shot the hogs in the yard. Some they skinned some and some they cut a piece off and left the rest right there. They tied it to the saddles. The corn and rice was in the house he lived in, they drove the wagon up to the door and [word] it out and put it in. I did not see them take the cow and calf.
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 the property to Midway Church where the camp was. I went there once but not with them when they took the property.
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 took this property for men and beasts to eat. I saw them feeding the corn and using some of the other property at claimant’s house.
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 claimant make any complaint on account of the taking of his 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 him ask for any voucher or 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?
This property was taken in the daytime between 10 and 11 oclock.
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 this property was taken the Army were encamped at Midway Church about 3 miles from Claimant’s house. They staid [stayed] in camp there about 3 weeks. They were going from place to place gathering forage from every part of the county while they staid [stayed] there. It was Kilpatrick’s Army encamped there. They were horse men. I did not know any of the war Qrmasters [Quartermasters] or any of the other officers.
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 pretty 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. The horse I heard him say he had a horse and cows and calves at his wife’s house but I did not see them. I don’t know anything about his wagon but I heard him say he had it.
Item No 4. I know he had corn and saw it taken but I don’t know how much. I think he had 20 bush [bushels] there at his house. I don’t know how much he had at his wife’s house.
Item No 5. I saw rice there and saw it taken but don’t know how much. If I guess, and may guess too high or too low. I don’t know how many rows he planted in corn or rice.
Item 6 and 7. He had a good drove of hogs, but how many I can not tell. I call a good drove 25 or 30 head. I didn’t count them. I saw them kill these hogs and take them away. I think there were 2 large meat hogs in the pen and 1 out. The others were all running out I don’t know what they would weigh. They were in good order for meat, but not in as good order as if I were going to put them up for bacon.
Item No 8. I don’t know how many fowls he had. But I think at home he had about 25 head. I saw them shoot the poultry and string some up to the horses and put some in the wagons.
Item No 9. I don’t know anything about the Bee hives. They were at his wife’s house. This property at his house I know all belonged to the claimant. He raised it right there and no one else claimed it. The claimant was a smart work man a good industrious man. He worked for his master by the task. It was by working by the task he was enabled to have these things for himself. I think that large and small it may be my master owned 50 or 60 head of slaves. He was not so good and not so bad a master. He allowed us to get some things for ourselves. They were not any of them too good, they would not allow you to talk of your rights. I never heard him claim anything belonging to his slaves; he would not even ride one of our horses without he came and asked us though he had a right to do it.
Peter Way
Witness E. E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Bob Winn)
My name is Bob Winn. I was born in Liberty Co Ga a slave; became free when the Yankees got here. My master was Sidney Fleming. I am 42 or 43. I live at Mr Lyons at North Newport Church. I am a farmer. I know the claimant – in this case Billy Gilmore. I am not a relative of his. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him for 30 yrs [years]. I know him to have been a good Union man.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when this property was taken from the Claimant.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw his horse taken and his wagon and his cows and corn and rice, hogs, fowls and Bee hives 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.]
The first thing they asked was if there was anything there which belonged to the rebels we told them the corn in the corn crib and they asked for something to eat, and we had a little clean rice there and we went to fixing up that for them. While we were fixing up something for them to eat they went and killed the meat hog and cooked up some of it there. I cooked it for them myself. They got me to go and grind some corn for them at a hand mill, and then they killed one of the cows right there. After that they went down in the field and drove up the rest of the [word] hogs, night came and they camped there. This was at Mrs. Hagar Gilmore’s house on Sidney Fleming’s plantation. I did not see the property taken from Billy Gilmore’s house. He lived in Mr Cay’s place his wife lived on Mr Fleming’s place.
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 which I saw taken was taken at Mrs Hagar Gilmores on Sidney Flemings plantation. Hagar Gilmore was the wife of Billy Gilmore. This property was taken in December. I don’t know the year. It was the year the Army came here. The Yankees took this property, the Yankee soldiers. There were a good body of them there. They were there a day and a night and a half day. They camped there over one night.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
The claimant and his wife, Joe Winn, Jane Quarterman, Stephen Spencer, Maria Spencer, Phebe Spencer and myself were there when this property was taken.
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 Yankee officers there when this property was taken. They looked to me like Corporals. I did not hear any orders given to take the property.
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 took the corn and put it in the wagons what they didn’t feed the horses with. They took the rice into another wagon and they put some of the hogs in with the rice what they didn’t carry on horses. They killed some of the fowls and some they carried off, and some they cooked there; I cooked some myself for them. They took the horse and harnessed it into the claimant’s wagon and loaded it up with corn the next day and went 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 drove the horse off with the corn and killed one of the cows there and drove the other away. They moved the rest of the property on wagons and 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 moved all this property they didn’t use there to Midway to the camp. I know because 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 they wanted this property for their use and their horses. I saw them eat some of this property at the house and I helped them cook some of it.
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 hear Mrs Gilmore ask one of the officer’s not to take it all. That was all the complaint I heard them make.
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 him or his wife ask for a voucher or 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?
This property was taken in the daytime. It was early in the morning when they begun.
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 at Midway the main body of them, about 7 ¾ miles from the house of Mrs Hagar Gilmore. It was Sherman’s Army encamped there. They were horsemen and infantry, both there. There had been no battles near there nor skirmishes. I don’t know how long they were there some considerable time. I did not know any of the officers of the Army or any of the quartermasters.
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 in good condition. A very fine bay horse hardly ever used in good order in a good pasture.
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 about 6 years or 7 years old. He was a medium sized common horse; well broken to the saddle and harness. I think he raised him from a colt. I never heard him claimed by his master. He belonged to Billy Gilmore. They harnessed him to Gilmore’s wagon and put in corn and what room was not filled by the corn they put rice in, and they put the rest of the rice into another wagon with the [word].
Item No 2. This was a square box wagon with spring seat. A one horse wagon. I think he didn’t have the wagon over a year and a month maybe 2 years. It was a good leather wagon harness. They took this wagon and harness off with the horse as I have before described.
Item No 3. He had 2 cows and 2 calves. They were young cows but full grown. I can’t tell how old the cows were because she bought one of them. I am no judge of the weights. They were good bodied cows. The calves were Spring calves. I saw them taken away. They killed one of the cows there and drove away the other and the 2 calves.
Item No 4. They had at her place 15 or 16 bus [bushels] of corn. What they didn’t use there they took away in wagons. She had 1 ¾ acres planted in corn that year.
Item No 5. There was 15 bus [bushels] of rough rice thrashed off, and winnowed. They took it off in another wagon all that Gilmore’s wagon didn’t hold. She had a little over ¾ of an acre planted in rice. They had corn and rice at Gilmore’s place but I don’t know how much.
Item No 6. She had one meat hog at her house; the rest were stock hogs. It was a big fat hog. I think it was penned the whole summer. He had hogs at his house but I don’t know how many.
Item No 7. He had 15 stock hogs at his wife’s besides the meat hog. Some of them were grown and some half grown some three quarters. They would make good meat but were not fat enough for Bacon.
Item No 8. She had a good large body of poultry. How much I couldn’t say. They took it away in wagons and on horseback what they didn’t eat there.
Item No 9. I saw them take the 4 Bee hives. They broke them up there and took out the honey. They didn’t care for the stings so long as they got the honey. It was cold and the bees couldn’t fly much.
This property all belonged to Mr and Mrs Gilmore. I know because she had it and took care of it and every man tends to their own. He, the claimant was a hard working industrious man. He was a regular farmer. He worked by the task. All my master and slaves worked by task, all that worked in gangs in the fields. I used to be foreman on Mr Flemings place. That gave me an opportunity to know what she owned & what she raised. I know this property specified here all belonged to Mrs Hagar Gilmore and her husband.
Bob Winn
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Hagar Gilmore)
My name is Hagar Gilmore. I was born in Midway district Liberty Co Ga, a slave; became free when the army came here. My master was Sidney Fleming. I am about 46. I live at Capt [Captain] Winn’s place. I farm for a living. I know the claimant Wm [William] Gilmore. He is my husband. I have an interest in this claim as his wife.
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 this property from me.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw this property taken a part of it.
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.]
Item No 1. I saw this horse taken. He was bought when a colt 1 year old. I bought him with my hogs. I don’t remember how long I had it. I sold the hogs for cash, and bought this horse for cash. My husband bought a sow pig and gave me at home to raise and I raised it till I got enough to buy the colt.
Item 2. This was a buggy with the body on springs. It had been used a year or a little more. This was a leather harness bought when the wagon was bought. They were both in good order. They hitched the horse to my wagon and loaded it with corn. My husband bought the wagon and harness and brought it to me. I don’t know how he bought it. I saw them drive off with the horse and wagon.
Item No 3. I had 2 cows and 2 calves. They killed one cow and drove off the other. These were pretty large cows, and in pretty good order, they had a good pasture.
Item No 4. I had about 15 or 16 bus [bushels] of corn at my place and my husband had some at his place. I don’t know how much.
Item No 5. I had 15 bus [bushel] of rice at my house and my husband had some at his place. I don’t know how much. He had a good chance planted in rice and corn both. I was there back and forward, but I don’t know how much. They took the corn and rice in wagons.
Item No 6 and 7. I had 15 hogs running out and one Bacon hog in the pen. I could not tell how much he would weigh. He was a large fat hog. There were 3 sows running out, and the rest were all sizes, some half grown some not. I saw them kill and take away these hogs.
Item No 8. I had a big lot of fowls, a great gang of them. I had some ducks. I don’t know how many I had. They killed them all and carried some in wagons and some on horseback.
Item No 9. I had 4 Bee hives. They just broke them up and took the honey out.
This property I have mentioned here all belonged to me and my husband.
Hagar Gilmore
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Raymond Cay)
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
In person came Raymond Cay Senr [Senior], and after being sworn true answers to make to certain questions propounded and says
1. that his name is Raymond Cay, aged 72 years, Walthourville, Liberty County Georgia, has lived in Liberty County since 1832. Occupation a farmer.
2. Is not in any manner related to Claimant William Gilmore, and is not interested in this claim – Witness is the father of Raymond Cay Jr [Junior] – Witness knows William Gilmore, he was the slave of Witness:
Witness says that Claimant did not own any property on the place of Witness: Claimant’s wife resided on the place of and belonged to Mr Sidney Fleming, some six miles from Witness place; Witness knows that Claimant owned a horse, worth about eighty or ninety dollars, about the time of the march of Gen [General] Sherman through Georgia. – Witness does not know of Claimant owning any other property, he might have owned other property. – Witness knows nothing about the taking of Claimant’s property by the Federal Army, but knows that Claimant did not have a horse, after the occupation of Liberty County by the troops of the United States. It was understood in the neighborhood that Claimant lost his horse, by the United States troops.
R. Cay
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of July 1876
W.W. Paine
Special Agent
Testimony of Witness (William M. Winn)
William M. Winn being duly sworn true answers to make to certain questions, answering such.
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
William M. Winn – aged 33. – Dorchester Liberty County Georgia – been living at this place all his life – occupation a farmer.
2. Not related to claimant in any manner or form – and not interested in this claim.
Witness knows nothing of taking of property from claimant: – Witness has known the claimant William Gilmore all his life, and he doubts claimant ever owning the property set forth in his claim – Witness never having seen him with property, or heard of his having any:= Negro slaves were allowed to have horses cattle and hogs. – the horses were usually worth from $25: to $60. – cattle worth from $8 to $10 per head – hogs from $2 to $3 per head.
W. M. Winn
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of July 1876
W.W. Paine
Special Agent
Special Agent’s Testimony
Savannah Ga
July 29th 1876
Hon [Honorable] Commissioners of Claims,
Washington City, D.C.
I have the honor to report in the matter of the claim of William Gilmore, (#21480,) of Liberty County Georgia, that I called on Mr William M. Winn, a very respectable citizen of Liberty County, and that on the 15th day of July 1876, he testified that he the witness had known the claimant William Gilmore, all his life, and he doubts claimant owning the property set forth in his claim, that he never saw claimant with property, nor heard of his having any. – Dr [Doctor] E. J. DeLegal, another respectable citizen, told me he doubted the claimant owning the property he claims to have lossed: –
On the 27th day of July, I called on Mr Raymond Cay Senr [Senior] the former master of claimant, and Mr Cay testified, that Claimant William Gilmore owned a horse, worth about eighty or ninety dollars, about the time of the march of Gen [General] Sherman through Georgia: Witness knows nothing about the taking of the property by the Federal troops; but knows that claimant did not have the horse, after the occupation of Liberty County, by the troops of the United States, and that it was understood in the neighborhood, that claimant lost his horse, by the United States troops: Witness knows nothing about the other property said to have been taken from claimant, nor that claimant owned any other property: – I learn that it is about twenty miles from where Mr William M. Winn lives to where Mr Cay lives. –
Mr Wm [William] M. Winn is a gentleman of high standing, and so is Mr Raymond Cay Senr [Senior]. – Mr Sidney Fleming the former owner of Claimant’s wife is dead, and his sons, or rather one of them did not know anything about Claimant’s property, as he was in the Confederate army, and so was his brother.
Very respectfully the
W. W. Paine
Special Agent
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[Image #49 was a warrant awarding $70 to William Gilmore on Claim no. 43.636. Reported April 19, 1877, returned April 20, 1877, requisition #4032, dated April 20, 1877, transmitted for warrant April 21, 1877.]
[Image #50 was a draft payable to James Atkins, Collector of Customs, Savannah, Ga, for $70 for Gilmore’s claim, dated April 20, 1877. ]
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Dorchester, Liberty Co, Geo.
March 10, 1877
Chs. [Charles] F. Benjamin
Clk [Clerk], Commissioners of Claims
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Windsor Stevens col’d has also requested me to receipt for your notice No. 21411 of the allowance of the Commissioners of $266 to him on his claims. He says he had a [2 words] after he rec’d it to acknowledge the receipt thereof but thinks best to do so again through me.
He informed me that when Judge Hillier or Hillyer appointed to take testimony was here on that duty he demanded of him and many others $15.00 for service, that he declined to pay it, but thinks many paid the demand.
Mr. Raymond Cay we neither see nor hear from. He is in Florida his father lives here, on 1500 acres. His son will soon likely inherit some. Windsor says that Cay sent that after paying himself & Mr. Hillyer and the other dues, he paid the claimants all that was left.
Can you tell us when the Third Auditor of the Treasury will be ready to pay my clients the amts allowed them? Shall I write to that Gentleman for each one of them personally?
Thanking you for your past interest & the favor of your [words]
Yrs truly
J.T.H. Waite
Respectfully referred by the Commissioners of Claims, hoping that the Third Auditor will send no drafts to Raymond Cay, Jr., of Georgia, till he has done justice to the unfortunate claimants (poor, ignorant blacks) whose drafts he has heretofore obtained.
Chs. [Charles] F. Benjamin, Clerk