Sampson Bacon, formerly enslaved in Liberty County, Georgia, originally put in a claim in 1872 with the Southern Claims Commission for property he said was confiscated from his slaveowner Joseph Bacon’s plantation in December 1864 when Sherman’s Army came through Liberty County. He died, however, and his brother John Bacon pursued the claim in 1878, calling as witnesses Brister Fleming, formerly enslaved, and William A. Bacon, Joseph Bacon’s son. The Commission disallowed the claim, though, deciding that it was unlikely Sampson Bacon would have owned three horses and two cows. They pointed out that William A. Bacon was only 7 years old when the Civil War broke out.
Read on for more information about the Southern Claims Commission and for the full transcript of this claim, transcribed by Tamra Costine.
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): Bacon, Sampson [alt: Samson]
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $601
Total Amount Allowed: Disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stock, forage etc
Claimant living in: Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Liberty County, Georgia
Claim #: 22129
Secondary Claim #: N/A
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26; 1877-07-21
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-01-01; 1878-02-21
Claimant’s Attorney: W.S. Norman, Liberty County; Isaac Beckett, Savannah; W.P. Clarke
Property Removed to: the Army’s camp
Date property removed: December 1864
Army unit involved: the cavalry brigade commanded by Gen. Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: It is apparent from the testimony that the claimant was a slave & the property of Joseph Bacon of Liberty Co Ga – that he is now dead & his brother John Bacon is administrator of the estate. Who his heirs are does not appear, either by inference or direct proof. The property was taken from Joseph Bacon’s place – taken in Liberty Co. That this slave should own three horses & two cows, valued at $530.00 is very improbable & the improbability is not overcome by the testimony. The witness William A. Bacon was but seven years old when the war broke out.
The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferriss } Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: It appears that Sampson Bacon was originally to have submitted his claim in 1872, and his original lawyer was W.S. Norman but he must have died, and the claim was not submitted until 1878, with a new lawyer, by his estate administrator, John Bacon. ]
Testimony of John Bacon, Administrator on Claimant Sampson Bacon’s Estate
Witness answers the questions as follows:
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
John Bacon aged 62 years Liberty County Ga all my life farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am brother to claimant not interested in success of this claim
The following questions will be put to every person testifying to the loyalty of claimants or beneficiaries:
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Sampson Bacon
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all his life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
about 6 miles
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
about once or twice a week
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
We talked often about the war during the war and wished it would end in the favor of the union
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
Claimant done all he could for the Union Soldiers while they were here furnished them provisions and cooked for them
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
no
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Never heard anything
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Every body knew he was union man because he did all for the Union Soldier Brister Fleming Prince Stevens
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Brister Fleming Gus Law know they would testify to his loyalty
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew it because he saw me help the soldier all I could
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
Don’t know of any
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
None
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
None
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Sampson Bacon became owner by his labor he was always driver for his master and had the means to get property
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From his masters plantation Liberty County Ga 500 acres about 100 acres cultivated balance wood and wild lands
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was not present when the property was taken but I know he owned the property and I know that it was taken by the Union Army
[Signed] John Bacon [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me this 7th January 1878
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Brister Fleming)
Brister Fleming second witness for claimant answers the questions as follows:
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Brister Fleming aed 66 years Liberty County Ga all my life farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant not interested in success of this claim
The following questions will be put to every person testifying to the loyalty of claimants or beneficiaries:
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Sampson Bacon
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
From boyhood
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
Lived on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
Talked often about the war and hoped it would end in favor of the Union
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
I know he done all he could for the Union Soldiers feeding and cooking for them all the time they were here
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Never heard anything
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
All knew him as a Union man because he done all he could for them
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Law know they would testify to his loyalty
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew it because I have often told him so
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
None
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Sampson Bacon by his labor
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From his master’s plantation Liberty County Ga about 500 acres 100 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
Not that I know of
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was saw it taken 1 horse 1 mare 1 Sorrell Mare 2 head cows 1 Sow 9 Bush[el] ground Pease 20 Bush[el] corn 5 gall[on]s syrup 3 gall[on]s honey 36 head of fowls
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
Claimant complained to the officers dint [didn’t] know rank of officer did no good
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
No because they said they had the authority to take it
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped about ½ mile off
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
[No responses recorded]
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
Item 1st) The horse was a bay stallion horse Joseph Bacons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 150.00 dolls [dollars] taken about middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick army rode horse off to camp over 100 men and horses no wagons all day for one week to camp 3 or 4 officers present knew by dress said they had a claim on it Believe officers ordered because they were present and did not prevent it
80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.
Item 2 The black mare was about 8 years old Joseph Bacon plantation Liberty County Ga worth about (200.00 dolls [dollars] taken same time and place as item 1
Item 3 The Sorrell mare was about 6 years old Joseph Bacon plantation Liberty County Ga worth (150.00 dollars taken same time and place as item 1
Item 4 The cows were milch cows Joseph Bacons Plantation Liberty County Ga 2 head worth 15.00 dollars a head taken same time and place as item 1
Item 5 The Sow was brood sow Joseph Bacons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 7.00 dollars taken same time and place as item 1
Item 6 The ground peas were housed Joseph Bacon plantation Liberty County Ga 9 Bushels measured worth 2 dollars a bushel taken same time and place as item 1
Item 7 The corn was shucked and in ear Joseph Bacons plantation Liberty County Ga 20 bushels judge that much worth 1.00 dollar a bushel taken same place and time as item 1
Item 8 The syrup was in house Joseph Bacon plantation Liberty County Ga for 5 galls measure worth 1.00 dollar a gallon taken same time and place as item 1
Item 9 The honey was in jugs Joseph Bacons plantation Liberty County Ga 3 galls worth 1.00 dollar a gallon taken same time and place as item 1
Item 10 The fowls were grown Joseph Bacons plantation Liberty Cou[nty] Ga 36 head counted item worth 50 cts [cents] a head taken same time and place as item 1
[Signed] Brister Fleming [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me this 7th January 1878
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (William A. Bacon)
Additional evidence of Sampson Bacon Col[ored] Liberty County Ga on Claim 22729
William A. Bacon third witness for claimant answers the questions as follows.
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
William A Bacon aged 24 years Liberty County Ga all my life farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant not interested in success of this claim
The following questions will be put to every person testifying to the loyalty of claimants or beneficiaries:
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Sampson Bacon deceased
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All my life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On same place he belonged to my Father deceased
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
I know he done nothing that was against the Union cause
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Heard nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
All knew him to be a Union man I know it because I was with him all the time
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Don’t know
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
No
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
Was not present but know he (claimant) was allowed to own and did own property before and during the war know he owned horses and other property which was taken during the war
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me this 21st Feby 1878
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] William A. Bacon
[END OF FILE]