George Gould – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claim’t was a slave of Thomas Mallard’s place – was 52 yrs old in Aug ‘73. There is no doubt of his loyalty – helped the “Yankees” all he could, was arrested for it by the rebels, escaped, & went to the Yankees in Savannah.

He said – “I raised fowls, sold poultry & hogs & bought a cow, then raised cows, poultry & hogs & sold & saved my money till I got enough to buy a horse. The first horse, a mare colt, I bought about 20 years before the war. I live on land purchased of Tom Mallard’s heirs.”

The soldiers “were as thick as blackbirds in a rice field.” I heard it was Kilpatrick’s army & they were camped at Midway Church 2 or 3 miles off.

The horse was 5 yrs old – bought when a colt – he says he planted 2 acres of rice – had a large family & when our tasks were done, we all worked at the rice. Had planted 3 acres of corn – could have all the land we would cultivate.

Peter Stevens – say he had 25 bushels of corn.
Three witnesses to his ownership of the property & to the raising of the corn, rice & hogs.

We allow what we think was lawfully taken for army use. We think he owned the horse, but it was an ordinary animal.

Our special agent, W. Payne, has investigated the case – reports the testimony of Mr. Lazarus Mallard, “a respectable old gentlemen,” & member of the Mallard family to whom the claimant belonged. He says the claimt owned a horse worth $80 – cattle worth $10 each & hogs $3 each & a wagon.

We allow $205.00

A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims 

Testimony of Claimant

In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:

My name is George Gould, my age 52 years, my residence Riceboro, 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 George Gould I was born near Midway at Thomas Mallard’s place Liberty Co Ga. a slave; became free when the raid came here. I am 52 years old. I live where I was born. I am a farmer.

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?

I lived from the 1st of April 1861 to the 1st of June 1865 where I live now. I was a farmer then and all the time since. I did not change my residence or my business.

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?

I took the registration oath in Riceboro. This was the 1st and only oath I took. I don’t remember the time.

6 to 26 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers No! After hearing the questions read.

27. Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.

I was molested by the Rebels and taken to Thomasville because they were afraid I should run away with the Yankees. They arrested me twice, but I got away from them and the last time I went to Savannah and staid [stayed] with the Yankees till I could come back with safety.

28. Did you ever contribute anything—any money or property—in aid of the United States Government, or in aid of the Union army or cause? If so, state fully as to the same.

I never made any such contribution. I never had anything to contribute or any opportunity I was a slave.

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.

After the Yankees came here, I helped them by grinding corn, and carrying things to the camp and all I could do for them.

30 to 39 inclusive to each & 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 war I sympathized with the Union cause, I was glad when I first heard of the war. I rejoiced because I thought it would set me free. I talked with my friends all the time about it, and wished for it to come but I feared it would never be. It was too good news to come true. I always exerted all my influence on the Union side.

41. [Original Question 34.] In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that you were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?

In conclusion I solemnly declare that from the beginning of the war against the United States till the end, I never did or tried to do anything to injure that cause and that my feelings were always with that cause, that I was always ready and willing to aid that cause, so far as my means, and power, and the circumstances of the case permitted.

[Question 42 only asked of females.]

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 Army came through here. I continued to farm after I became free. I worked and bought this property named in my account. Our master allowed us to work at task work and he allowed us to raise chickens and hogs and cattle and if we had not money enough he would sometimes lend us some if we went to him. I commenced to raise fowls almost as soon as I could walk. I sold poultry and hogs, and bought a cow, and then raised cows, poultry and hogs, and sold, I saved my money till I got enough to buy a horse. I had been raising horses a long time; the first horse, a mare colt, I bought about 20 years before the war, and I raised colts from her. I bought my wagon in the same way by selling stock too My former master was Mr Thomas Mallard. I am not in his employ. He is dead. I live on land purchased of Thomas Mallard’s heirs. I am not indebted to them for anything. No one has any interest in this claim besides myself.

Revised Questions as the Taking or Furnishing of Property, to be Answered by Claimants and Witnesses.

1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?

I was present when this property was taken from me.

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.

I saw 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 said I would get back my crops and if they didn’t take it the Rebels would. They fell right in and took it out then. They didn’t say anymore.

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 my house on Thomas Mallards plantation. I don’t know the year but it was in Dec [December] when the Army came here. People said it was Kilpatrick’s company took this property. There were so many they were like black birds in a rice field you couldn’t count them. They cleaned out all my things in one day.

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

Peter Stevens and Joshua Cassell, Edmund Bacon and Simon Cassell and myself were there when this property was taken from me.

6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?

I didn’t know the officers from the privates. I did not hear any orders given to take this property of mine. Everyone seemed to be putting in for himself.

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 cows from the pasture, went there and shot them. They took them off on the horses. They left the heads and some parts of the beef for the buzzards. They run the horse down and caught him. They took the rice off in sheaves and that which was thrashed in bags. They took the corn in the ear. The corn was in the house loft. They killed the hogs and put them on the horses and carried them off. They put one of the soldiers horses in my wagon with my harness. It was a tolerable good harness. They led my horse 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 removed the rice and corn in my wagon it was all removed 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 this property to the Church. I went with them; that’s the way I knew they went 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.

I thought the Army took this property to feed themselves and their horses. I saw them use some of this property at the camp I was there several days with them.

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 complaints to any officers on account of the taking of this property. I was too glad to see 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 them to give me 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?

They took this property all of it 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?

When they took this property the army was encamped at Midway Church about a mile from my house. They came to my house when they first came there to the camp. I think they staid [stayed] there about 2 weeks. I heard it was Kilpatricks Army. There had been no battles or skirmishes about there. I did not know any of the quartermasters or other officers of the Army. They were travelling all over the country [county] to forage while that was their headquarters at Midway. The country [county] was in a poor condition when they left; people were starving all about here. They took everything in my house except my wife’s clothes and what I had on; but I wouldn’t have cared then if they had taken the clothes off my back. I was so glad. They took 3 Blankets and 2 quilts from me.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

This property was all in good condition when taken.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1. I had 4 head of grown cows. I had there 4 head of cows 5 years before the Yankees came in. I don’t know their ages, nor how much they would weigh. They shot the cows and what they didn’t take off on the horses, they put in the wagons. They were good large cows for Georgia cows. They were in good enough order for beef. I bought a young heifer and raised these cows.

Item No 2. This horse was about 5 years old. I bought this one when she was a colt. The colts I raised from my first mare all died, and I bought this one to begin again. She was a pretty good medium sized horse. She was in good order. They run the horse down and caught him and led him off. I might have hid the horse when the Yankees come but I thought my Freedom was worth more than the horse.

Item No 3. I think my rice was 50 bus [bushels] about ½ thrashed. I measured the rice I thrashed and thought that the rest the other ½ would be 25 bus [bushels] the same as that I measured. I raised it myself. I planted 2 acres. I have a large family. We all worked by the task and when our task was done we all worked the rice, and so we got it cultivated. We could have all the land we could cultivate after our tasks were done. Our master allowed us to have it. They put it in sacks, and put it on each of the horses.

Item No 4. This corn was in the ear had a loft full. I called it 100 bus [bushels] of ears corn, would make 50 bus [bushels] shelled. I had 3 acres planted in the field besides that I had planted round the house. It was a good season for corn that year. I got the time to raise that in the same way I had the rice. They took the corn in sacks. They did not feed any of it there.

Item No 5. I had 15 stock hogs. I had 10 large ones and 5 small ones. The large ones would weigh 150 lbs each. The 5 were ½ grown hogs. They would weigh 30 or 40 or 50 lbs. They killed them and carried them to camp about a mile on horses.

Item No 6. This was a one horse Jersey wagon on springs, iron axletree. I had it about 4 years, it was in tolerable good order. I did not buy it new. The harness and wagon were both in good working order. They brought one of their horses there and put into the wagon.

This property all belonged to me and my wife and children. I have 4 children all grown up now, and these children helped me and my wife work. The Yankees did not pay me anything on this property. This is the 1st and only claim I have ever made against the Government. My master never claimed any of this property for his, but he protected me if anyone else wanted to take it from me.

George Gould

Witness E. E. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Peter Stevens)

My name is Peter Stevens. I was born on Thomas Mallards Plantation in Liberty County Georgia, a slave, and became free when the Union Army came into the County. I belonged toThomas Mallard – I am 26 years of age. I reside on William Baker Plantation. I am a farmer. I knew the Claimant in this case George Gould. I am not related to the Claimant and have no beneficial interest in this case. I have known him ever since I was big enough to know any body – he was a good Union man all through the war as a good friend to the Yankees.

2d set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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.

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.

I saw this property taken. I saw the cows, horse, rice, hogs corn, and wagon, 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 didn’t say anything only “they hadn’t eaten anything for 2 or 3 days” and they just lit of[f] their horses and went to eating the rice, in such a hurry they burned their fingers. They went on then and took the property, and made me go up the loft, and get corn for them, and feed their horses.

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 Mr George Gould’s house, on Thomas Mallard’s plantation, I don’t know the year or the month but it was when the Army came here. The Yankee’s took this property. The house was full of the soldiers, as fast as one gang went out, another gang would come in. They took it all at once, in one day.

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

Peter Stevens, Joshua Cassell, Simon Cassell, myself and the claimant were present when the 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?

I did not know the officers from the soldiers There might have been some there. I saw no one who seemed to be giving orders. All seemed to be pulling out everything.

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 cows, and they took some on the horses and some in the wagons. My father helped skin them. They caught the horse from the pasture: 4 of the soldiers were after him, he was hard to catch. The rice they put in sacks that which was thrashed; ½ of it was thrashed. They put the corn in sacks. It was all in the ear. They killed all the hogs and took them off on the horses and in wagons. They put their horse in the wagon and filled it full of the rice and corn and drove off to camp.

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 this property in wagons and on horses.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They removed it to Midway Church. I went with them to the Church the next day afterwards, to ride a colt for 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 used it for eating I know I saw them using some of it for feeding the horses before they left the house. They made me feed about 90 horses. They said their horses were very hungry they hadn’t eaten anything for 3 or 4 days.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not hear any complaint made in account of the taking of this 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 for the property.

13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?

The property was taken in the daytime, about 2 oclock P.M.

14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?

When the property was taken the Army were encamped at Midway, 1 mile from the claimant’s house. They were in camp only a few days when they came up to get claimant’s property. People called this army Kilpatrick’s Army. They staid [stayed] there in camp about 2 weeks. I am not certain. I did not know any of the quartermasters or other officers. They were going about from plantation to plantation after forage and money. They got a heap of old shin plasters [NOTE: term for low-denomination paper money], and 2 or 3 pieces of gold and a heap of it from the white people who had it hid.

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 horse and cows were in fine order, and the hogs were in the yard, all but 4 barrows in the pen and all were in fine order. The corn and rice were all gathered and taken care of.

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 1. He had 4 head of cows, full grown 2 of them were milch cows and the other 2 big enough to have calves but had not had any. They took some of these cows off in the wagons and some on the horses. They killed them all there.

Item No 2. I don’t know the age of this mare but she had a big colt. She was a medium sized mare. They caught the mare and put their own saddle and bridle on him off of a poor old mule & turned the mule loose, and another soldier came along and had the old mule and rode him.

Item No 3. He had 25 bus [bushels] of rice, I saw it measured that which was thrashed and that which was in the sheaf I don’t know how much there was, but he had a little house packed down with it. They took it in sacks on horses and in wagons and the sheaf rice mostly in wagons but one or two men took some on horses.

Item No 4. He had about 100 bus [bushels] of ear corn they allowed it would turn out 50 bus [bushels] of clean corn. They put it in crocus sacks [NOTE: similar to burlap sacks] and flung it on the horses and took some in wagons. He had 3 acres of corn planted and an acre and 2 tasks of rice.

Item No 5. He had 15 head of hogs, about 10 big ones, and the rest shoats ½ grown. I do not know their weight. They killed them every one and carried them off, some on horseback and some in wagons.

Item No 6. This was a Jersey wagon, on springs, iron axle tree. I think he had had it not more than 1 year and a half. He had a leather harness. They put the harness on their own horse and put it to the wagon and one of the soldiers drove the wagon off.

This property all belonged to Mr Gould, the claimant. I saw the Soldiers take it all.

Peter Stevens

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Joshua Cassell)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Joshua Cassell. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, a slave: became free when the Yankees came through. I belonged to old Thomas Mallard. I am about 53 years old. I am living not far from Midway Church on young Mallards place. I trade now for a living, in groceries and make baskets, and sell them as my health is not good. I know the claimant Mr Gould, we lived on one plantation all our life time. I am not related to him. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. He was a good Union man during the war. I couldn’t tell what was inside him but by his outside, I should think you could rely on him as a Union man. All the slaves cried one thing at that time, their sufferings were so hard they all wanted Liberty.

2d set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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 him.

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.

I saw the soldiers take this property. I saw them take the cows, and the horse, and we were thrashing the rice when they came to take it. I saw them killing the hogs. I didn’t see them take the corn. I saw them take the wagon. Saw them draw it out.

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 soldiers didn’t say anything, but just went on and took the property. I was frightened and did not mind much what they said. I kept pretty close.

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 on Thomas S. Mallard’s plantation at Mr Gould’s house, when the raid first came into the county. I don’t know the time or month more than that. They told us it was Kilpatrick’s company. They were about 1 day taking this property. They came in gangs, one gang would come, and load up and then another gang would come.

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

Peter Stevens, Simon Cassell, Edmund Bacon, and myself, and the claimant and his wife, 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 men there with different dress from the rest on, but I don’t know their rank I supposed they were officers. 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 killed the cows and carried them off. I saw them have the horse in their possession. They were leading him but I don’t know any more how they took him. We were thrashing the rice when they came up and they made up bundles of it and put it on horses and in wagons and fed some of it. The corn I saw them feeding some of it, but did not see them take it away. I know they took it. I saw the house broken in and missed the corn. I saw them killing the hogs but did not see them take any of it away. I saw them take the wagon away.

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 which I saw removed in wagons and on horses.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They removed it I heard to the Church. I did not follow them.

10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.

They took this property I suppose for their own use. I saw them using some of it there, and saw them take it off the place.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not hear the claimant make any complaint on account of their taking the property from him.

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 receipt or voucher for the property.

13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?

They took this property in the day time.

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 I heard they were in camp at Midway. I heard it was Kilpatrick’s Army. It was about 3 miles from Claimant’s house. I suppose they may have been there between 2 and 3 weeks in camp. I saw them riding over the county and foraging for. I saw them with beef and pork on their horses. I saw them going and coming every day. I couldn’t tell how many days I saw them, for at that time I lost my good sense and 2 days sometimes seemed like more.

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 fine condition.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1. He had 4 cows. I saw them. There were 2 pretty stout cows, and the others not full grown, about ½ grown. I think the quarters of the 2 biggest would weigh 50 or 60 lbs. Or they might go to 90 lbs. The other would average about 45 lbs to the quarter. I used to have something to do with weighing cattle. I saw the cattle killed and taken away.

Item No 2. This was a medium sized mare in first rate order. She had a colt. They took the mare I saw them leading her but when they started off, I didn’t see them. They left the colt.

Item No 3. I think he had about 25 or 30 bus [bushels] of rice thrashed. I heard him say that about ½ of it was thrashed. I helped him a little. I don’t know how much he had planted in rice but his land was better than mine and he had more rice than I did. I had 60 bus [bushels] all thrashed out, and planted 2 acres and 1 task. I saw him go in the house where the thrashed rice was and saw them go off with bags. I saw them going off with some of the rice in sheaves.

Item No 4. I don’t know now, how much corn he planted, I knew then. He had a good chance of corn. Some planted as high as 5 tasks and some 1 acre and ½, and his master let him plant all he could get time for. They all worked by the task and in that way they got time to take care of their corn. I used to judge pretty close and think he had, say rough guess 55 bus [bushels] of corn shelled, would make that if it were shelled. I saw them feeding some of the corn and saw the house broken and the corn gone. I can’t say I saw them take it all.

Item No 5. He had a pretty fine drove of hogs. I had 10 head of hogs, and he had more than I. I guess he might have had 25 or 30 head but I don’t know exactly. He had a fine drove. There were 4 large ones, weight 150 to 190 lbs. Some of the others were ½ grown. I don’t know now how many. I saw them killing some of those hogs and taking them away. I noticed that all his hogs were gone; he had nothing left after the soldiers left.

Item No 6. He had a pretty fine Jersey wagon one horse wagon on springs, and a leather harness. I don’t know just how long he had had the buggy. I know it was in splendid order and I know they took it away. They must have taken it away with their own horse as I know they took it away with a horse and I saw them leading claimant’s horse. This horse belonged to Mr Gould the claimant. I know when he bought the horse a young colt, and he had it till the Yankees took it away, and no one else claimed it. Our owners claimed all our things, if we should get into difficulty, but no further then that. They were our own things. We were allowed to trade and sell our things if we got permission from our masters, so that there should be no fuss. All the other property belonged to him. I know because he and his wife labored and put their labor together and bought and raised it. The claimant and his wife were very industrious hardworking people. There was a fine lot of young people and they were jealous of one another and tried to see which would get their day work done first. We belonged to the same master, the claimant and I. His name was Thomas Mallard. I think he owned over 300 slaves in all. He had shared them out to his large family and had about 60 working hands left. There were hardly 3 men on the place that did not have horses, and cattle, and hogs. There were 3 old men who used to have horses but they died, and the most of his hands were young people and used to try who would get done first, our master used to come in the field, and tell the overseer not to balk we if we got done soon to let us alone and do our own work as we pleased. I used to have all the privileges a slave could have, but I would not give one of my free days for all my life in slavery.

Joshua Cassell

Witness E. E. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Lazarus J. Mallard) 

1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?

Lazarus J. Mallard. – 55 years of age. – Dorchester Liberty County Georgia – been living about 30 years in same place. – a farmer by occupation.

2. Not related in any manner to claimant, nor is he interested in any manner in this claim. Witness knows nothing about the loss or the taking of property from Claimant George Gould. Witness knows that about the time of the march of Gen [General] Sherman through Georgia, claimant owned a horse worth about $80, that claimant had cattle, worth about $10. per head: – That he had a wagon, worth $25. or $30. – May have had fifteen hogs, (stock) worth about $3. per head. – Witness thinks it doubtful about Claimant owning the corn and rice in that quantity. – Witness thinks Claimant may have lossed [SIC] his property, as he was near the army of Gen [General] Sherman, and all who were near the march of the army lossed [SIC].

L. J. Mallard

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of July 1876.

W. W. Paine Special Agent

Special Agent’s Report 

Savannah Ga.
July 18th 1876
Honorable Commissioners of Claims
Washington City

I have the honor to report in the matter of the claim of George Gould, #21408 Liberty County Georgia, that I visited the section of the county in which claimant lives; I could find no one of the family of claimant’s master, except Mr Lazarus J. Mallard, a very respectable gentleman, and he testifies, that about the time of the march of Gen [General] Sherman, through Georgia, claimant George Gould owned a horse worth $80. and that claimant had cattle, worth about $10. per head, and that he also had a wagon, worth $25. or $30. – and may have had fifteen stock hogs, worth about $3. per head. – Mr Mallard thinks it doubtful about claimant’s owning corn and rice: – Witness could not state how much cattle claimant had. – Witness thinks claimant may have lossed [SIC] what property he owned, as he was near the army of General Sherman, and all who were near the march of the army did lose. Witness does not know of the loss, as he was not present. – Witness said to me, that the claimant was a negro of fair character.

Several gentlemen informed me, that they thought Gould owned a horse, a few cattle, and some hogs, and they give him a fair character.

Very respectfully
W. W. Paine
Special Agent

[image #184: Warrant for $205 allowed to George Gould. Reported April 18, 1877, returned April 20, 1877, requisition #4033, dated April ?, 1877, transmitted for warrant April 27, 1877]

[image #185: Draft for $205 payable in care of James Atkins, Collector of Customs, Savannah, Ga.]

Letter from George Gould

McIntosh Liberty Co. Ga.
Jan. 17. 1877.

Dear Sir.

Your card of the 6th Dec. 1876 informing me that the sum of $215.00 has been awarded to me No. 21408 is rec’d [received]. I would be very glad to know if the money can be paid directly to me or some one of my choice. The people whose money came through Mr. R. Cay received very little. Please send me circular of Treasury Department #130 or something else that will throw some light upon this dark subject address care Rev. Floyd Snelson to the place above named.

[Image #186: Note saying that the draft is not to be delivered to Attorney Cay until his past transactions are righted.]

[NOTE: Reference is to attorney Raymond Cay, Jr, who was cited by the Southern Claims Commission for cheating his African American clients by charging exorbitant fees.]