John Lambert – Southern Claims Commission

Southern Claims Commission Petition By

John Lambert

John Lambert was only about 10 years old — an enslaved child — when the U.S. Army swept through Liberty County foraging during Sherman’s March to the Sea. He filed this claim on behalf of his mother after the war. Phillis Lambert was blind by then, and had lost five children after the war, four of them to small pox. Their slaveowner had been E. Lawrence Winn, son of Washington Winn. Read below for more about the Southern Claims Commission and for the transcript of Lambert’s claim.

Claim transcribed by: Cathy Dillon

About the Southern Claims Commission

The Southern Claims Commission 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 “They Had Names” project is transcribing all the Liberty County claims that are still legible. See below for this transcript.

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): Lambert, John
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y

Amount of Claim: $422.50
Total Amount Allowed: $199.00
Nature of Claim: Supplies
Claimant living in: Riceboro, Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in:
Claim #: 18605
Secondary Claim #: 43668
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]:
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26; 1873-07-03
Claimant’s Attorney: J.C. Todd, Savannah, GA; Raymond Cay Jr
Property Removed to: Midway Church
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Maj. Gen. Sherman, Howard’s Corp, commanded by Genls Howard & Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1876-12-04
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro

Witnesses to be Called:

Scipio King, Liberty County

James Stacy, Liberty County

Joseph Bacon, Liberty County

Phillis Lambert, Liberty County

Items Claimed

Item #	Description	Amt Claimed	Amt Allowed	Amt Disallowed
1	1 Horse	150	100	50
2	5 Cattle	100	50	50
3	3 Hogs	45	14	31
4	16 Fowls	4	0	4
5	40 bushels of Rice	80	20	60
6	25 bushels of Corn	37.50	15	22
7	Cooking utensils	6	0	6
	TOTALS	422.50	199	235.50

Transcription

Remarks: This claim is filed by the claimant on behalf of his mother & sisters. His father having died during the last year of the war. Besides himself & his mother there are three witnesses – viz. Joseph Bacon, James Stacy & Scipio King – who testify to the ownership by claimant’s father of the property taken. He raised the horse from a colt. The horse was five years old. Raised the cattle from a cow they had bought. The rice is much overstated. Corn was 15 bus[hels]. The ownership & taking are so proved as to satisfy us reasonably.

We allow $199.00

A.O. Aldis
O. Ferriss
J.B. Howell } Commers [Commissioners] of Claims

Testimony of Claimant
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:

My name is John Lambert, my age 24 years, my residence Midway Church, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

My name is John Lambert. I was born in Liberty County a slave, became free when the army came here. Lawrence Winn was my master. I am about 24 years old. I live at Midway Church. I am a farmer. I am claiming this property for my mother sisters and myself. My Father died in the spring before the Yankees came in the Fall of the same year. My Father leave 9 children 6 girls and 3 boys. Five of these children died since the war 4 of them with small pox. I have always lived in Liberty County except when we followed the Army into Chatham Co [Cunty] and came back after being gone a year. I can remember about the war but not the beginning of it. I hear dabout the war and that the Yankees were coming to give us freedom and I was in favor of it and so was my mother.

2nd Set of Int[errogatories]

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

I was at my Mother’s house when the Yankees came to take this property.

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

I saw the soldiers take this property.

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.]

I saw them take the horse hogs poultry rice, corn, and cooking utensils. They took them and didn’t say anything.

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?

They took them at the place of the Lawrence Winn at my Mother’s house. They were taken in December when the raid passed through. I don’t know the date or the year. The Yankees took this property – I don’t know how many a good many. They camped right there. They took the hogs, the horse and the poultry and the rice they took as they wanted it in small quantities. The corn they didn’t take all the first day but they hauled it off in wagons.

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

My Mother and Sister Nannie were there Sister Lucy Joseph Bacon and Scipio King James Stacy.

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

I didn’t see any officers there to know them. I didn’t see anyone giving orders to the soldiers.

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 led the horse from the yard and took them off. The cattle were on the place right near the house and they drove them off and the hogs they killed. The poultry was right there in the yard and they took and catch them and take them off. The rice was taken by one coming and take as much a they want and then another come and take and so on.

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 corn and rice they took in the same way some was moved in sacks and some in waggons [wagons].

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 [They] carried it to the camp I know they went that way and I suppose they went to camp.

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 didn’t see them using the things to eat I saw them feed some of the corn to the horses.

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 didn’t make any complaint to any officer neither did my Mother

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.

No voucher or receipt was asked for.

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

The property was taken in the day time. They got there about 7 oclock in the Morn

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 was encamped about a mile from our house when this property was taken. They arrived there at Midway Church and the next Morn they went to taking my things. I reckon they camped there about one month. There had been no battles or skirmishes. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the 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?

The cows were in good order and so was the hogs, and the poultry. The horse was a fat round horse.

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 4 years old we raised him from his Mother. My Father bought the Mare and my Father raised this colt from the mare and the mare they did not take.

Item No 2 Five head of milk cows with yearlings each one had a calf. They were fat, they were on a good range. They would weigh I can’t come exactly at it. I never see none weighed. The cattle they made me help drive down to the Ogeechee Ferry. The horse they led into camp and I never see any more of him. The cows were good builded cows and think they would weigh about 300 lbs dressed. After they got them over the Ogeechee Ferry they sent me back home, that was the last I saw of the cattle.

Item No 3 Three hogs all fat and in the pen. One would weigh about 160 lbs 150 and 130 lbs the other would weigh. They killed these hogs and took them on the horse.

Item No 4 16 head of poultry. They catch them and kill them.

Item No 6 The corn was not measured but there was about 25 bushells [bushels]. We made a big field of corn and we allowed it to be 25 bush [bushel] at the least. They took it away some in sacks and some in wagons.

Item No 7 We had 5 pots and plates we did not number them up we had spoons, tubs, and buckets. This property all belonged to my Mother

17 & 18 passed.

19 This is the first and only claim I have or my mother has ever presented.

John Lambert

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Phillis Lambert)

My name is Phillis Lambert. I was born at Lawrence Winn’s place a slave. I belonged to Lawrence Winn. I was freed when the raid came through. I don’t know how old I is. I know I got a pretty good age about 60 perhaps. I live at the same place Lawrence Winn’s place. I plant land. I am related to the claimant he is my son my only son. I got 3 gals living. I have an interest in this claim All this claim belongs to me only my son presents this claim for me and the family. My husband died about a year before the Yankees came here. I was a slave at the beginning of the war and became free at the time Shermans Army came here. My husband ?buy? him from a colt. I know he bought the mare and she became a pretty large mare and she had a colt. I think about 10 years before the war he bought this mare and began raising colts but they all died but this black one which the Yankees took. My husband belonged to Ben Law who lived at Marsh. My husband worked by the task. I don’t know how much time he got on his place sometimes more and sometimes less. My master gave me a good deal of time sometimes whole days. In this way my husband and I got the means to buy the stuff. I kept the things, he used to bring them to me and I kept them.

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

I was there 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 them take them sir.

They didn’t say anything to me only just took them and drove them right out without saying anything.

They were taken on Lawrence Winn’s place where I stay. They took them a day after they came here. I couldn’t tell what month but I know it was in the [1 word] when the Yankee Army came here. The Yankee Soldiers take them sir They carry all off in two days.

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

The people on the place my daughter Nanny & James Stacy my son in law & and my son John.

I couldn’t tell the soldiers one from the other sir.

7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.

The hogs was in the pen and they took one and shot to use and the cattle they made my own children go after them and drive them off to the Ogeechee. The rice they took some in one day and some the next day and the corn in the same way.

8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.

Some of this rice they moved in wagons, and some in sacks.

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 it to the camp. I lived only a mile from the camp and did not go to the camp. I could see them going to the camp from my house. They walked from their camp to my house.

I think they took a part of it to feed their horses and a part to eat themselves. I saw them feeding with rice and corn. I couldn’t tell whether it was mine or not because they took from others all round [word].

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 made no complaint to any officer about them taking these things.

I did not ask for any voucher or receipt.

It was taken in the day. They came up all times no particular times.

The Army was encamped about a mile off next to the Church and they reached from my house to the church. I think it was Sherman’s Army.

It was in pretty good order. The hogs were fine and the corn was fine.

Item No 1. The horse was 4 years old I think. The [2 words] good large one and I think. He was fat; he was black. I saw the soldiers lead off the horse . I never see him anymore after that.

Item No 2. I had 5 head of cattle all cows do not know their weight nor age they were fat enough for beef and good size. They drove them off.

Item No 3. I had 3 meat hogs in the lots round the house and in the field by. I couldn’t tell their weight they were pretty large. I saw them carry them off; they killed and then threw them across the horse and carry them.

Item No 4. I don’t remember how many I had a good chance I call a good chance 15 head.

Item No 5. I had some rice. I can’t tell how much because I didn’t leave it all thrashed, that which was thrashed was in the house and the other been in [2 words] house.

Item No 6. I had 20 bushels of corn. It was measured and in the ears, they came in the house and put it in the bags and some in the wagons. The corn was of my own raising.

Item No 7. They took 4 pots and some tubs, pails, and a spider and all my quilts, and all my other things, except my bed. My old man raised these cattle he bought a cow and give to me to raise [word] and he bought a a sow & I raised hogs. I never got any pay from anybody for this property. I told my son to make out this account; this is the only claim I have made against the Government.

Phillis Lambert [signed by mark]

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Joseph Bacon)

My name is Joe Bacon. I was born in Lawrence Winn’s place a slave. I became free after the raid passed. My master was Lawrence Winn. I am 48 years old. I live now at the Lawrence Winn place. I am a Farmer. I am not related to John Lambert. I have no interest in his claim. I have known John Lambert and his Mother many years. They were good friends of the Yankees. I never heard her say any thing about the war. I never heard her say any thing against it. The col’d [colored] people are friends of the Yankees. I know I wasn’t a rebel because I wasn’t white. I voted for Grant because he was a Union man. I didn’t know anything about such things as that was till the war was over.

2nd Set of Int[errogatories]

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

I been at Lawrence Winn’s place.

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

I saw these things taken.

I saw the horse and cattle taken 5 head, and hogs and poultry, and rice, and corn, kitchenware. They didn’t say anything they just come up and taken them away.

They were taken at Mr Lambert’s house on Lawrence Winn’s place the time of the war, do not know the year. They were taken by the Yankees there were about 3 or 400 there. They take it in two days, all what he had go and came.

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

Scipio King, John Lambert and Jim Stacy were there and myself.

I don’t know whether there were any officers there or not.

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 hogs, and drove off the cattle and lead the 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 took the rice, and corn, in sacks and bags, and took it off on horse back and in wagons.

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?

We saw the course they take they could not take it anywhere else I did not follow them to the camp.

I suppose they take the corn to feed the horse with, and the rice too and eat some themselves and the same way with the hogs. I saw them feeding some of the grain.

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.

[NOTE: See question 13. Answer to Question 11 apparently not recorded.]

I did not hear Mr Lambert ask for any receipt or voucher.

[NOTE: The answer was mistakenly listed as the answer to question no. 11 in the testimony]

This property was taken in the day time, some in the morn and some in the even.

The Army was encamped about a mile from this property. It was Sherman’s Army. I think they stay about a month altogether. They took the property when they first came there.

The corn was up in the house and the property in good condition.

Item No 1 One horse about 4 years old. Mr Lambert had the mare about 15 or 16 years ago. This colt was this mare’s colt. I know because I lived there. The horse was in good order broke to work. The mare died before the Yankees come.

Item No 2 5 head of cattle full grown. I think they would weigh about 300 lbs. I have seen them weighed. He bought one cow when she was small and raised the rest from this cow.

Item No 3 He had 3 head of meat hogs weigh about 150 lbs. They killed them and skinned them and put them in wagons and took them down to the camp.

Item No 4 He had 15 head of poultry I counted them they were fowls. They shot the poultry and skinned it and carried it towards the camp.

Item No 5 They had 40 bush [bushels] they had a great pile of it and I guessed he had 40 bush [bushels]. John Lambert told me he had 40 bush [bushels]. He told me so about a week after the raid come. I saw them take the rice away on wagons and on horseback.

Item No 6. He had about 25 bush [bushels] of corn in the ear. They carried the corn away in the same way they had the rice on wagon and horseback. I know there was 25 bush [bushels] because John Lambert told me so: there was a large pile of it.

Item No 7 They had pots & ovens I think there was 4 pots and tubs and plates and spoons. I saw them take all away. John Lambert has not promised to give me anything to come here and swear for him. Old Miss Lambert [say it belongs to her and John Lambert.

17 – 18- 19 Passed

Joseph Bacon [signed by mark]

Witness E. E. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (James Stacy)

My name is James Stacy. I was born in Liberty Co a slave, became free after the Yankee came here My master was Lawrence Winn. He had a good deal of slaves 30 40. I am 37 years old. I live at Lawrence Winns place, been there ever since the war. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant. I married his sister. I have no interest in this claim. I was at Mr Lamberts house when the Soldiers took his property I saw them take it they said nothing only just went in and took it. I did not see any officers there.

Item No 1 I saw them take the horse. He was about 5 years old It was his father’s property: his father was dead. I see him riding the horse all the time. He [SIC] led him off.

Item No 2. These were large cattle. I think they would weigh 300 lbs. I saw them take these cattle. Lambert helped the Yankee soldiers drive them off over the [O]Geechee [bridge] there were 5 head of them I counted them.

Item No 3 He had 3 meat hogs They just killed them put them across the horse and carried them off.

Item No 4 He had 16 head of poultry Lambert had them counted and told me. He told me this about 3 days after they were carried off.

Item No 5 He had 40 bush [bushels] of rice by what was thrashed and what was not I think there was so much. They carried them off in sacks and some in wagons.

Item No 6. About 25 [bushels] of corn he had. It was in the ear not measured but by the pile [I] allowed it to be that [much] the corn and rice were of their own raising.

Item No 7 They had 5 pots with the spider [a type of cooking utensil] together made 5. They carry it to cook in.

I think they took the corn for the horses. I know they had some of it pound up in our place they were going to eat that themselves. They took this property on the Lawrence Winn place. They took it to camp they say they were going to [3 words].

James Stacy [signed by mark]

Witness E. E. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commr [Commissioner] Ga

Testimony of Witness (Scipio King)

My name is Scipio King I was born in Liberty Co a slave. I belonged to Lawrence Winn. I became free after the war when Kilpatrick came through. I guess I am about 47 years old. I live at Lawrence Winn’s place. I am a farmer. I am no kin to Mr Lambert at all. I have no interest in his claim at all. I have known him since he was a boy. I have known his mother since I have had sense to know myself. I knew them when the war was going on both of them. I lived on the same place. I saw them everyday. I talked with them about the war a good many times. We ever did wish our Freedom could come. John and his brother were good friends to the Yankees they always wished to see them they had heard about them. I never heard anything about the Yankee prisoners we couldn’t do anything for them because we didn’t see them. I think they would if they had had an opportunity from the way they speak of them.

Questions by the claimant’s attorney:

I was at Mrs Lamberts house when the Ynakees were taking her property. A good many of us were there Jim Stacy and myself and Joe Bacon John Lambert and his mother’s family were there. I saw them take the horse. They just catch him and lead him off. I allowed they carried it to camp because they took it towards camp. This camp was at Midway. It was about a mile from the house to the main camp at Midway. There were some of them camped close by her house at the big gates. I did not see the horse after this. He was a black horse short, thick builded, black horse. He was 4 years old. He had him from a colt, he raised him from his father’s mare. When I first know him and his children, he had the mare. He had 3 colts, but the rattlesnakes bit two of them this last one he raised. I saw them drive the cattle off, they been on the green there. There were 5 head of grown cows. He had 3 head of meat hogs. I saw them take them. He had 15 head of poultry. I see them and in fact I count them myself. I saw them take the rice. I think they took about 40 bush [bushel]. The rice was some of it thrashed and some of it not. They carry [word] off some in sacks and some in mules backs. The rice not thrashed they got in another outhouse. The rice thrashed and not thrashed in my judgement was about 40 bush [bushel]. They had 90 bush [bushel] of corn. I saw them take it. I helped them load the wagon myself with corn. They made me do it. They took all he had. They took 3 pots and [2 words].

2nd set of Int[errogatories]

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 it taken [5 words] not the same day.

They said ole man I spect you is scared but we have come to give you freedom and I told him I didn’t like them to take all our things and he said he spect we would get them all again. They went and took the things then.

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?

Couldn’t tell the month in the fall more on to the winter. They took it when the Army come in. Sherman’s Army took the property. There were a good many some 25 or 30 [word] in our time. It didn’t take but 2 days to carry them all off.

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

Jim Stacy and Joe Bacon and myself and the old lady and her children were there.

I couldn’t tell the officers from the soldiers. I saw nor heard no one giving orders 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.

The horse was catch right there and led off. The cattle was drove off sir. The hogs were killed and thrown across the saddle and carried off and [3 words]. The corn and rice was taken away in sacks and in wagons out of the house.

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 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?

The property was removed to the camp. I saw them carry it towards the camp. I did not follow it to the camp they went in that direction and I suppose they went there.

I do not know what they took it for I suppose they took it to feed the horses and the soldiers I saw them using some of the things I pounded some of the rice for them myself I saw them feeding corn to the horses there on the place where they were loading the wagons

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 by Mr or Mrs Lambert on account of such taking

I did not hear any one ask for a voucher or receipt.

This property was taken in the day time commencing in the morning – I did not see any of it taken secretly.

When the property was taken the Army was encamped at Midway Church about one mile from Claimants house or where their property was taken they came and got the things the next day after they went into camp – they staid [stayed] there about one month

This property was all in pretty good order.

Item No 1 The horse was 4 years old a stout build horse in good order. They have had a horse ever since I knew them first they had a mare and this colt was from her. I saw them take this horse they led him off.

Item No 2. They had 5 head of cattle with yearling to them 3 yearlings [1-2 words] bought a cow and raised the stock from that. They drove these cattle off. I think the cows would weigh 300 and 400 lbs dressed, they were in good order fat enough for beef.

Item No 3 – 3 meat hogs fat 150 to 200 lbs they would weigh I saw them cut off their heads and take them off on horse back.

Item No 4 He had 15 head of poultry chickens grown I saw them take the poultry some they shot and some they knock down with sticks.

Item No 5 40 bush [bushel] of rough rice some of it thrashed. There was nearly 40 bush [bushel] thrashed in planted acres. I raised from 2 acres nearly 100 bush [bushel] good rice. They took this rice and some they beat they makemake me beat it for them. They took in wagons and some in sacks.

Item No 6. They had 25 bush [bushel] of corn in the ear. They raised this corn. He planted 4 acres [word] Their master’s allowed them to have corn planted of their own [2 words] and get their own [2 words]. They fed some of it there and some they took in sacks and wagons.

Item No 7 They had 3 pots and one spider I don’t know how large the spider. They took tubs and pails they left one piggin and cleaned all the rest out of the house. This property belonged to John Lambert and his Mother I know because I see him have property before the war and his title was not disputed and all along he owned property.

Scipio King [signed by mark]

Witness E.E. Adlington

Sworn and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commr [Commissioner]
State of Georgia

[NOTE (2/1/2024): The letter below appears to actually belong to the claim of John Lambert of Baldwin County, and evidently was misfiled in this John Lambert’s folder.]

Atlanta Ga April 6th 1876
US Senator Bruce Stevens

Sir

On behalf of certain claimants before the U S Court of Claims I respectfully but earnestly ask your imposition, aid and influence upon the following statement of facts. Sherman in his famous “March to the Sea” passed through Milledgeville Ga. At that time there was there a very thrift and honest man of color by the name of John Lambert. He had by industry and frugality accumulated a nice little snug fortune – Sherman’s army took all his fodder, hay, corn, horses, wagons etc for army uses and supplies. John Lambert then filed his claim for damages before the U S Court of Claims. A few days ago the Clerk of the Commissioners on Claims wrote John Lambert a letter to the following effect, which you can get either from B D Hyam [?] Lock Box Lockett E Street near Seventh to the gentlemen residing in Washington City the letter was to this effect – that John Lambert was a person of color and his witnesses were of the same race and the Commissioners wanted the evidence of his former master that claimant had the property charged in his account that they doubted the affidavit of John Lambert’s witnesses because they were of the same race and color as the Claimant and that the claim had been suspended [looks like “several”] on this account. Well, things have come to a pretty pass when the Commissioners of the Court of Claims doubt and will disallow a claim because the claimant and his witness are persons of color – This letter was written under the hand and Seal of the Court of Claims sitting in Washington City. Why, even in Rebel Georgia, as they call it, Courts and Juries are bound to believe witness unless their testimony is invalidated in one of these ways – 1st By Contradictory Statements, 2nd By disproving the facts by other reliable testimony, 3rd By impeachment of the witness of those who will swear that his character is bad and they would not believe him on oath. Such is the law of Georgia, and yet we find the Court of Claims about to reject John Lambert’s claim because he is a man of color and his witnesses are of the same race. If this had been done in Georgia a “hue and cry” would have been raised. John Lambert stands unimpeached and so do his witnesses, but the Court of Claims won’t allow the claim because John Lambert and his witnesses are persons of color! You have full authority from the Claimant to appear before the Court of Claims in session in Washington City and see that their claim is not rejected on the ground that the claimant and his witnesses are persons of color, and therefore not to be believed. [Word faded] to succor one of your own race, who by economy and thrift made a little fortune for himself and which was taken from him by the Union Army and the Claimant asks now to be reimbursed, please appear before the Commissioners of Claims and have the case of John Lambert versus the United States sounded and disposed of. You are fully empowered to represent John Lambert Esq before said Courts.

Respectfully
E. A. Unger [?]

[Image #42]

[Requisition for $199 for John Lambert’s claim for “claims of loyal citizens for supplies furnished during the rebellion. Reported March 31, 1877, Returned April 4, 1877, Requisition dated April 7, 1877, transmitted for warrant April 13, 1877. ]

[Image #43]

Draft payable to J.C. Todd, Atty, Savannah, GA, from the Treasury Department for $199 for John Lambert’s claim]

[END OF FILE]

They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

John Lambert – Southern Claims Commission

Southern Claims Commission Petition By

John Lambert

About the Southern Claims Commission

About This Transcription

The Claim: Summary & Transcription

Summary

Transcription

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