Claim Summary
On a cold morning in December 1864, a group of enslaved African Americans were sitting down to a wedding feast in the yard at Joseph Quarterman’s plantation in Liberty County, Georgia, when the soldiers from Sherman’s Army rode up. “Well, boys, what have you got?” Marshal Cuthbert remembered them saying, before they sat down at the table and ate all the food, then took everything worth taking on the plantation as forage for the army.
Jacob Golding, who in 1873 submitted a claim against the U.S. government for the property the soldiers took from him that day, recalled not caring about the food because he was so happy at the news the soldiers brought: he was now free! In fact, he said, he helped them gather up the food and other property they took with them to their camp at the nearby Midway Church, where he cooked for them for two days before they went on to Savannah. Golding said, “I did everything I could for them,” and added that he had told his friends that he was “very proud about the war.”
In his 1873 testimony, Golding said he was a 48-year-old farmer who lived right where he was born, on the Joseph Quarterman place. He said Quarterman had died just after the war so could not testify that he was allowed to own property, but that he worked by the task and sometimes finished his work for the day by mid-morning, then was allowed to raise his own stock and plant on “any little piece of land my master was not going to plant.” His father, who he unfortunately did not name, had left him a colt, he said, and he had used it to raise the horse he said was stolen by the U.S. soldiers. He also raised hogs, cows, rice, and corn, he said.
According to Golding, Marshal Cuthbert, John Fraser, Marlborough Quarterman, and Joseph James — all enslaved at the time — were there when the soldiers rode up. Marshall Cuthbert testified in 1873 that he still lived on the Quarterman place, was between 60 and 70 years old, and was born into slavery in Liberty County. He said he had known Golding for 20 or 30 years and was not related to him. He recalled that Quarterman had had “30 or 40 working hands.”
Marlborough Quarterman testified on Golding’s behalf in 1873, and said that he was 48 years old, still living on Quarterman’s place, also born into slavery and no relation to Golding.
The Southern Claims Commission was skeptical of Golding’s claim and sent their special agent to investigate it in 1878. He interviewed Golding at Cross Roads Church in Liberty County (now the First African Baptist Churh in Riceboro), and was entirely dissatisfied with his testimony, which he judged to be unreliable. He commented that Golding was one of the poorest claimants he had seen. He also interviewed Trone Hargrave, another previously enslaved man, who he found to be intelligent and reliable; Hargrave told him he had lived on the same place as Golding and didn’t believe he had the property he claimed, saying he had not seen Golding with a horse until after the war.
Golding’s testimony in 1878 differed from his 1873 testimony in ways that matter to family history researchers. He said in 1878 that his father had died the July before the December 1864 raid, but in the 1873 testimony, he said his father had died about 10 years before the war. He also commented in the 1878 testimony that he had swapped a little ox for a cow with his brother, and called him Jacob and said he had gone to Savannah. He repeated the name Jacob twice in the testimony as being his brother, which seems odd because his own name was Jacob.
In the 1873 testimony, Golding also said that he had been born on the plantation he then lived on, Col. Joseph Quarterman’s plantation, but in the 1878 testimony he referred to buying a cow “from my old master, Busby.” Bartholomew A. Busby was a prominent Liberty County slaveowner.
It is entirely possible, of course, that Golding was flustered at being examined by the Special Agent, and that he misspoke but there may be other explanations (see below).
The Commissioners denied Golding’s claim based on the Special Agent’s report, and noted that a large number of people who had been enslaved on Quarterman’s plantation had submitted claims.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
Golding’s testimony was very confusing, and it was easy to see why the Commissioners had doubts. Whatever the reasons for the confusion, there are a few pieces of the testimony that stand out for their seeming contradictions about Golding’s residence and family — and probate and census documents reveal possible plausible explanations.
Golding testified in 1873 that he was living on the land he had been born on: “I reside right on the place where I was born.” However, his witnesses — Marlborough Quarterman and Marshal Cuthbert — said that they were enslaved by Joseph Quarterman, and both testified that they had known Golding for 20-30 years, even though Golding was 48 at the time. Marlborough Quarterman said he had been born on Quarterman’s plantation. How could they only have known Golding for 20-30 years if he also had been born on Quarterman’s plantation?
In the 1878 testimony to the Special Agent, Golding said: “I bought the old cow from my old master, Busby. I gave him $5, for a yearling, just before the raid come.” It’s hard to imagine that Golding would have been confused about who owned him, even if more than a decade later he was understandably having trouble with the timelines. Bartholomew A. Busby was a prominent Liberty County slaveowner and landowner who died in December 1862. His May 1863 estate inventory named a Jacob.
Joseph Quarterman did not die right after the Civil War, as Golding had stated, but in January 1863. His estate inventory, also done in May 1863, did not name a Jacob, but did name a Marshal (likely Marshal Cuthbert) and a Marlborough (likely Marlborough Quarterman). Trone [Throne or Tyrone] Hargraves, who was mentioned in the Special Agent’s report as Trone Hargraves and as having lived on the same place as Golding, was also named in Quarterman’s estate inventory. Jacob should have been named if he had in fact belonged to Quarterman at that time.
Why would Jacob Golding have been on Joseph Quarterman’s plantation in December 1864, if he actually had belonged to Bartholomew Busby? Why would the other formerly enslaved witnesses talk as though he lived there?
In the 1870 U.S. federal census, Jacob Golding was listed with his wife, Cretia. There was a Cretia in Joseph Quarterman’s 1863 estate inventory. In Golding’s 1878 testimony, he made this interesting statement, which seems to come out of the blue: “I generally go [went] home every other Saturday. I paid my master $10 per month. I worked at carpenter’s work.” This suggests the possibility that it was actually Golding’s wife Cretia who was held enslaved by Quarterman and lived on his plantation, and that Jacob spent time there with her and maintained his property there, which, according to other Southern Claims Commission petitions from Liberty County, was a common arrangement. This would also explain why other enslaved men on Quarterman’s plantation would say they had only known Golding for 20-30 years.
Interestingly, other formerly enslaved people who took the surname Golding/Golden had been owned by Bartholomew Busby’s father-in-law, Thomas Mallard. [NOTE: When doing searches in Liberty County for anyone with the surname Golden or Golding, always search for both spellings as they were often used interchangeably.]
Golding also said in the 1873 testimony that his father had died 10 years before the 1864 raid, and in the 1878 testimony that his father had died the July before the raid. This obviously appeared inconsistent to the Special Agent, but it seems from the wording as though Golding’s grandfather was actually the one who had died 10 years before the raid. In the 1878 testimony, Golding was quoted as saying: “A chestnut filly, 4 years old. My father died just before the war. It come in Dec [December], and he died in July. I mean the raid. He gave it to me, and the beehives. I bought the cow myself. He got the filly from his father. No, sir, not the same one.”
If the “he” in “he got the filly from his father” is understood as being Golding’s father, the testimony can be understood as actually saying that Golding’s grandfather left a mare to his son (Golding’s father) when he died 10 years before the raid, and Golding’s father gave Golding the filly that was born to that mare, which was the one taken by the U.S. troops. “No, sir, not the same one” would be Golding’s attempt to explain that the filly Golding’s father got from his own father was not the same as the one that was stolen. If this is the case, then Golding’s father is possibly also among the names in Busby’s 1863 inventory.
In the 1870 U.S. census, Jacob Golding was said to be 40 years old, and living in the same household with Cretia (30), Sinee (20), and Stephen (15). This is the only Jacob Golding to appear in the 1870 Liberty County census, and he was living near Marshal Cuthbert and Marlboro Quarterman, so appears to be the same man. Relationships were not specified in the 1870 census; in the 1880 census, Cretia was named as his wife, but if her age in the 1870 census was correct, she was too young to be Sinee’s mother, and very young to have been Stephen’s mother.
The censuses were very unreliable about ages, however, as evidenced in the 1880 Liberty County census, when Jacob Golden (instead of Golding) was listed as 59 years old — likely much closer to the truth, since he himself said he was 48 in 1873. Lucretia Golden, his wife, was listed as 40 in 1880, however, so 30 was evidently the correct age for her in 1870. [Cretia is the shortened form of Lucretia.] No one else was listed in their household in the 1880 census, but a Sini, the wife of James Williams, was living nearby, and was about the right age to have been the Sinee Golding listed in the 1870 census. A search with that information turned up a marriage record for Sina Golden to James Williams on April 11, 1880, in Liberty County.
Stephen Golding was listed as Stephen Golden in the 1880 census, living with wife Dafne [alt: Daphne]. He had a son named George and a daughter he had named Lucretia…perhaps indicating that Cretia Golding was in fact his mother. Stephen Golding appeared to have married Susan Jones in 1897 and to have had at least six children with her.
Records were not found for Jacob or Lucretia/Cretia Golden or Golding after the 1880 census. No record was found that he purchased or owned land.
Citations
U.S. Federal Census Records
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 181, p. 12, dwelling #113, family #114, enumerated on November 14, 1870, by W.S. Norman, Jacob Golding household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 9/23/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, District 15, enumeration district 67, p. 5, dwelling #47, family #47, Jacob Golden household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 9/23/2020).
Slaveowner Probate Records
Bartholomew A. Busby’s 1863 estate inventory: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93T-XYRB?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 309 of 703.
Jacob Quarterman’s 1863 estate inventory: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-993T-XTCB?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 310 of 703.
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): Golding, Jacob
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $338.00
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army
Claimant living in: near #3, Albany & Gulf Rail Road in Liberty County, Ga
Incident occurred in: Montrose Plantation or Farm in Liberty County four miles from No 3
Claim #: 20654
Secondary Claim #: N/A
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-06-03
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-07-25
Claimant’s Attorney: James M. Simms, Savannah, Georgia [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co; W.H. Sykes, Savannah, Ga
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer
Property Removed to: Army Camp
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-21
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: #3 A & G Rail Road
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: This claimant was a slave on Col. Joseph Quarterman’s plantation in Liberty Co, Ga. A large number of the colored men who were slaves on this plantation filed claims with this commission but few of them had any property taken from them by the federals that could be called army supplies. From the report of our agent Mr. Avery to which we refer this claimant was not one of that few. He is reported as unreliable in his statements & as having no property. This claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris } Comms [Commissioners] of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:
My name is Jacob Golding, my age 48 years, my residence Liberty County, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.
Interrogation of Special Commissioner
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
My name is Jacob Golding. I was born in Liberty County on Joseph Quarterman Plantation a slave and became free when the raid passed through the County. I am 48 years old I reside right on the place where I was born. I am a farmer and the claimant in this case.
2. Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? if so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?
From the 1st of April 1861 to the 1st of June 1865 I resided in Liberty County on Col [Colonel] Quartermans Plantation. I did not change my residence or business I was a slave and could not do it.
3. Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?
Irrelevant.
4. Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to “bear true faith,” or “yield obedience” to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.
Irrelevant.
5. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?
The only oath I ever took was the registration oath.
6 to 25 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers no! After hearing the questions read.
26. Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family, or property on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state when, by whom, and what the threats were?
My master threatened to whip me because I was attached to the Yankees. He told me about a year before they came not go near them if they should come, but they came right over to my place.
27. Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.
He did not whip me, he only just threatened me and told me to have nothing to do with them that they were thieves and would sell me.
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 contributed anything in aid of the United States Government. I was a slave and could not.
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.
I was cooking for the Yankees for 2 days and waiting on them. It was at Midway Church at the camp that I worked for them. The Yankees went on to Savannah and I returned to my master’s plantation. I did everything I could for them.
30. Had you any near relatives—any husband, son, brother, or nephew—in the Confederate army? If yea, state his name, whether he is now living, and where he resides. Did you furnish him with any military equipments, any clothing, or any money? Did you contribute in any way to aid or support him while in the rebel service? [Each of the questions under No. 30 must be fully answered.]
I had no relatives in the Rebel Army.
31 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 rebellion I sympathized with the Union cause. I was sorry for the confusion and glad in my Freedom. I told my friends I was very proud about the war. I gave my influence on the Yankee side. I was on the Yankee side all the time until now.
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 hostilities against the United States until now my feelings were always with the United States. That I never of my own free will and accord ever did anything to injure or retard that cause and that I was always ready and willing so far as my power and the circumstances of the case permitted to aid them.
[Question 42 only asked of women]
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 rebellion I was a slave and became free after the Yankees came in here. I went right to farming after Freedom until now. My Father left me the colt. He is dead. He died before the Yankees came here I think it is about 10 years before the Yankees came. The mare charged in my account is one I raised from the one my Father gave me. I never raised but this one colt from the mare. She was about 4 years old and a half when the Yankees took her. My Father left one old cow ?to? me and I raised the others from that. I just bought a little pig for 50 cts [cents] and raised the others from that I have raised this way pretty much all my life. When I was quite small I commenced and raised. I planted the corn and rice myself. I had my task and got done my task and then went about my business til next morning. I sometimes finished my task at 10 or 11 oclock. I was allowed to plant on any little piece of land my master was not going to plant and as much as I could work. My Master was Joseph Quarterman. He is dead died just after the war. I live on his land now Mr Fraser owns the place now. I do not owe any of my old master’s heirs anything no one but myself and wife has any interest in this claim.
2nd 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 Yankees took this property from me right at home.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw it all 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 did not say anything but we had the table set out in the yard Sunday Morning and they come right to it and eat. They just turned in after they had done eating and broke up the hives and took the things and so on.
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 Mr Quarterman’s plantation in Dec: I don’t know the year but when the Army came. It was taken by the Yankee soldiers all dressed in blue clothes. I couldn’t till how many there was there were so much I think 2 or 3000. They took all the property in one day and then went right off.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Marshal Cuthbert, John Fraser, Marlborough Quarterman, Joseph James, and myself 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?
There were one or 2 officers there I believe. They were Capt’s [Captains] and Lieut’s [Lieutenants]. I heard them say they belonged to Sherman’s Army. They ordered the property taken. They just told the soldiers to take such a thing and such a thing and they did it. The officers said they would make it good afterwards would pay for it afterwards and they never paid for it.
7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.
They took all the things and put them into wagons all they didn’t eat there. They tied the horse with a rope behind the wagon: they killed the hogs and skinned them and put them in the wagons. They took the fowls and tied them and put some in the wagons and some of the boys on the horses took some and carried them along in their hands.
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 put it in wagons and some on the horses and took it away, and some was moved in hands.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They moved this property to Midway Church.
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 don’t know what they took it for. They ate some of it and they carried some of it to the camp at Midway. I suppose they took it to eat.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not make any complaint at all to any officer.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not ask for any voucher or receipt.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
The property was taken in the daytime, about 9 or 10 oclock.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
When they took this property from me they were encamped at Midway Church 4 miles from my house. I hear it was Kilpatrick’s Army. The soldiers who came there at my house were all on horses. They came right up to my place after they got into camp. I suppose they staid [stayed] there at Midway about a month. There had been no battles or skirmishes about there just before they took my property that I know of. I did not know any of the quartermasters or other officers of the army.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
This property was all in good condition. The field just begun to open and all the hogs and cows were in there.
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 ½ years old He was a middle sized horse in good order. I got this mare by raising her from one my Father gave me. They took her and tied a rope round her neck and tied her to the wagon.
Item No 2. I had 4 milch cows all full grown. I suppose they were 3 – 5 – 6 and 7 years old; they were fat and in good order I think one quarter would weigh about 100 lbs of the oldest one. I suppose the others would weigh 70 or 80 lbs to the quarter. My Father gave me one cow and I raised the rest from that.
Item No 3. I had 9 hogs. There was one old sow and 8 pigs half grown. I suppose the old sow would weigh 150 lbs. I suppose the shotes [shoats] would weigh 60 or 70 lbs or apiece. I bought the first pig for 50 cts [cents] and raised the rest. I have been raising pigs ever since I was a little boy and knew how to raise things. They killed them and skinned them and put them in the wagon and took some in their hands down to Midway. I helped them take it. They drove the cows down to Midway I helped them do it – at the same time I was helping them with the pork.
Item No 4. I had 20 bus [bushels] of rice. I did not measure it I thought there were 20 bus [bushels] by judgment. I was so used to handle it. I had it in a little corn and rice house I had there It was on the floor. I think I had about 3 tasks planted in rice. I raised this myself. They put the rice right into one of their wagons.
Item No 5. I had 20 bus [bushels] of corn shelled. As near as I could guess at it there was 20 bus [bushels]. I did not measure it. I had 4 tasks just one acre planted in corn. They put the corn right in the wagons.
Item No 6. I had 30 hives of honey. They took them and broke them open and put the honey in buckets and things and put them in the wagons. This honey was all of my own raising.
Item No 6 and 7. I had 16 head of chickens and 9 head of ducks. I raised them all. They just took them and tied them up and put them in the wagons and took them off some of them in their hands. I never got a cent on this property. This property all belonged to me and my wife. This is the first and only account I have ever presented against the Government. None of the heirs of my old master own any of this property or have anything to do with it.
[Signed] Jacob Golding [signed by mark]
Witness E. E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Marshall Cuthbert)
My name is Marshall Cuthbert. I was born in Liberty County Ga. a slave, and became free when the Army came through, I belonged to Joseph Quarterman, I am 60 believe 70 a long there [word] where, old – I live on the old Quarterman Plantation I am a farmer – I know the Claimant Mr Golding have known him 20 or 30 years have always known him to be a good friend to the Yankees I am not related to him at all – only a fellow servant I have no beneficial interest in his claim –
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when the articles of property specified in Claimants account was taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw it all taken
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
When the soldiers came up to the Plantation we were all just ready to sit down to a wedding feast early in the morning they said well boys what have you got have you any “forage” we said yes sir they got off of their horses then and went to eating breakfast and they had a good time at our expense, but much to our delight for they brought us good news, we did not think much about the feast, we were glad we had it ready for them we was doubly happy when they got through eating all we had, they turned in and took all the property on the Plantation and Mr Goldings with the rest
4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?
The property was taken at Mr Golding house on Quarterman Plantation – in Dec 1864 by the soldiers belonging to Kilpatricks Command I do not remember the day of the month I remember it was in Dec and the next morning after the wedding — I can’t tell how many soldiers were present the place as covered with them – they were about one day taking Claimants Property they kept coming and going for several days.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
I was present at the taking Malbro [alt: Marlborough] Quarterman Marshall Cuthbert, that is my name Joseph James, and others.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
I saw U. S. officer or men I took to be officer for they were giving order to the soldiers I heard them order the soldiers to take the property – they were all on horses and said they belonged to Kilpatricks Army I do not remember that they said anything about taking the property they told us “boys don’t be allarmed [alarmed]” that was about all.
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 went to Jacobs lot and took his horse put a halter on him and led him out and away I did not see them mount the horse at the time, they went to the pasture drove them up and went off with them, they killed the hogs and put them into the wagons to the corn house and took the corn and rice fed some there and put the rest into the wagons they [had] 12 or 13 wagons along Fowls they caught and put on to horses and into the wagons.
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 and any way they could get it away.
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 their camps what was not used on the spot. I know because I saw them when they went I did not go with them I went with my own to their camp at Midway
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 saw them using some of Claimants property and I suppose they used it all for the Army. I don’t think they would have taken it unless they had wanted it. I did not see any of it wasted they cleaned him all out and all the other slaves on the Plantation My old master had 30 or 40 working hands 15 double house I think
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 to any one by the Claimant
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 Claimant ask anybody for a receipt or a voucher.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
The property was all taken in the day and about 8 to 10 OClock in the morning. I did not see any of it taken secretly
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
When the property was taken the Army was encamped at Midway about 8 or 9 miles from Claimants house – it was called Sherman Army Commanded by Genl [General] Kilpatrick they came to claimants house soon after they got into camp, I don’t know how many days – not many, I did not hear of any battles or skirmishes just before the property was taken, they staid [stayed] at Midway 3 or 4 weeks I did not know the Quartermaster I saw one at the Camp taking charge of the property as it was bro’t [brought] in to camp by the raiders – he put it away or had it done and then rationed it out as it was wanted I did not know any of the other officers –
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
The 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 The horse I should jude [probably slip of the pen for “judge”] was 4 or 5 years old a middle size in pretty good order, not the best, he was sound no bruises on his back or neck. He raised the horse from a mare he had. I saw the soldiers lead the horse away with a halter.
Item No 2 He had 4 head of cows full grown I think the cows were from 3 to 7 years was in good order for beef, I think the largest would weigh 100 to 120 lb to the quarter the smaller ones 60 to 80 lb to the quarter they were pretty much one size I saw the soldiers drive them away I saw the cows in camp in the lot I did not see them kill the cows –
Item No 3 Claimant had 9 head of hogs I think 4 of them with the old sow would average 100 the other 60 to 80 lb I saw them shoot the hogs on the plantation put into the wagons and carried off the the camp.
Item No 4 He had 20 Bushels of Rice I was at his house when he put his rice away we always look to see who had made the most and we judged his to be 20 Bushels he raised the rice himself –
Item No 5. He had 20 Bushel of corn I estimated that in the same way I believe he measured the corn and rice, I am not sure of that the corn he planted himself – they took the corn away in wagons what they did not feed they fed some of the corn right there while loading.
Item No 6 He had 30 hives of honey. They broke open the hives and put it in buckets and put it in the wagons. They ate some there before they left.
Item 7 and 8. He had 15 chickens and 9 head of ducks. I was right there on the ground when they were taken. We used to look over and count them, we lived about 100 yds apart. They had them caught and strung up in strings and what they did not carry on the horses, they threw into the wagons.
his
Marshal Cuthbert
mark
Witness E. E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Marlborough Quarterman)
My name is Marlborough Quarterman. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, on Quarterman’s place a slave, became free when the Army came here. I am 48 years old. I live on Quarterman’s place now. I was a Farmer. I know the claimant. I am no relation to him. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him about 20 or 30 years. He was a good friend to the Yankees I think he was on their side during the war.
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present at his house when the soldiers took this property.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw this property all 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 just rode up in the street and we had been just ready to take a feast and they stepped up and took our places. We had been having a wedding; and they went on then and took the property, after eating.
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 Mr Golding the Claimant’s doors [?] on Mr Joe Quarterman’s plantation. I think in Dec [December] month and the same year the Yankee Army came in I don’t know what year. The soldiers took this property. The soldiers of Kilpatrick’s and Sherman’s Army. They were on horseback. It was a big host come in there, I took it to be 600 of them. They commenced about 9 or 10 oclock and left about 1 or 2 oclock in the even [evening]. They took it all in one day.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
There were present Marshal Cuthbert, Joe James, Jake Golding the claimant 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?
I think there were officers there giving orders to take the property. I don’t know their rank they were horsemen.
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 just caught the mare out of the stable, and rode her off I think. He was led out of the stable and they fixed him to ride off but I didn’t see them ride him off. The cows were in an open field and were driven off. The hogs were in the potato field around the house; they shot them down and threw some of them across the horses and some in the wagon. The corn was in the crib and the rice was in there, they drove the wagon up to the corn house and put the rice and corn in the wagon. They took all the honey they didn’t eat there away in blue buckets. They shot the poultry down in the street and bundled them up and threw them across the horse.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
They moved this property away in wagons and horses.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They moved this property away to Midway Church I know because I went along with them.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
They took this property to feed their horses and themselves. I saw them begin to use a little of this property after we got there in camp.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not hear claimant make any complaint to anyone on account of their taking his property.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not hear him ask for any voucher or receipt.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
This property was all taken in the daytime. They commenced about 10 or 11 oclock. They did not take it secretly, but took it openly.
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 were encamped at Midway 5 miles from the Claimant’s house. The Army were there at camp 2 or 3 days before they came to take claimant’s property. It was said to be Sherman’s and Kilpatrick’s Army. They staid [stayed] there about 3 weeks. There had been no battles or skirmishes that I know of. I didn’t know any of the quartermasters or any of the other officers.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
The horse was in pretty good condition and the hogs and all the property.
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 ½ years old I think. He was a pretty good sized horse in good flesh. He had raised the horse. He had a mare from his father she was the mother of this horse. I think they led the horse off. I saw the horse once down in the camp.
Item No 2. He had 4 head of cows full grown. They drove these cows off with the rest of the gang of cows they drove off. He had a cow from his father and raised his cows from her. We all lived pretty near together and knew what one another had and how they got them.
Item No 3. He had 9 head of hogs, of pretty good size. I think the heaviest one would weigh 200 lbs and the others from 70 to 80 and 100 lbs. They shot these hogs and laid some across the horse and some in the wagon.
Item No 4. I judged from the pile which I saw there was 20 bus [bushels] I did not see it measured, but I heard him say that he had measured there was 20 bus [bushels] of rice. They took the rice away in wagons.
Item No 5. I judged in the same way that there was 20 bus [bushels] of shelled corn. I did not see it measured but I heard him say he had measured it, and that there was 20 bus [bushel] of it. They drove the wagon to the door and took away all of the corn they did not feed out there.
Item No 6. He had 30 hives of honey. I counted the hives. They put it in blue buckets and ate some of it, and put the rest in the wagons.
Items No 7 – 8. He had 15 head of chickens and 9 head of ducks. They shot them down in the yard and bundled them together and put them on the horses, and took them down to the camp. I saw them I went down with them.
This property all belonged to Mr Jacob Golding the Claimant. I did not see anybody have anything to do with it except himself. I saw the soldiers take all this property away from him. I went with part of it down to the camp. I did not see the soldiers waste any of this property.
his
Marlborough Quarterman
mark
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Vigil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
—————
In the case of Jacob Golding vs. United States } Before Special Commissioner Virgil Hillyer Esq, Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia
We have no further testimony to offer in the above case and hereby submit the same for the consideration and decision of the Hon. Commissioners.
W.H. Sykes
Claimant’s Counsel
—————-
No. 20654 unfavorable
Jacob Golding, Col’d
Liberty Co, Ga
Testimony of Jacob Golding, Col’d Page 1
Report Sp’l [Special] Agent Page 5
Respectfully forwarded from Milledgeville, Ga
Aug. 5th, 1878
R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agent
Aug 8 1878 Attorneys notified
———-
Special Agent’s Investigation and Report
Testimony of Claimant Jacob Golding, colored, taken under oath at Cross Roads Church, Liberty County, Ga June 8th, 1878:
Please repeat this oath:
I, Jacob Golding, do solemnly swear that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to all matters whereof I may be questioned: So help me God.
Q Who made out your claim?
A Simms. Mr. Allen has it now. Mr Hillyer took the testimony and I think Mr. Allen paid him.
Q Where were you living at the time of the raid?
A On the Col. Quarterman place. I live there now.
Q What kind of property did you have then?
A I had two cows and two calves; two sows, and each had five pigs, a young filly, about 4 years old. I had 29 beehives, and my wife had one 30; 4 young ducks and two old ones; eight bushel – no ten bushel of corn, 4 blankets and 2 quilts, 2 pots and one oven, two smoothing irons 30 bushels of rice.
Q Tell me about the horse?
A A chestnut filly, 4 years old. My father died just before the war. It come in Dec [December], and he died in July. I mean the raid. He gave it to me, and the beehives. I bought the cow myself. He got the filly from his father. No, sir, not the same one. It was about 12 or 13 hands high.
Q The cows?
A There were two cows and two calves, four in all. I bought the old cow from my old master, Busby. I gave him $5, for a yearling, just before the raid come. About three years after I bought it it had a calf, I swapped a little ox for another – ha? ha? I swapped with my brother. He is dead now. I got the ox from my brother. I swapped with my brother. I swapped with Jacob, he’s gone to Savannah. When I done all that? Just before the war – the raid – raid. The same summer. In July I got one from my master and swapped with Jacob. That was in July too. It was a calf when I got it from my master, now that was a yearling that I got from Jacob, the July before the raid.
Q Now, tell me, when these heifer yearlings had calves?
A After the raid came through. When they were three years old. No sir they didn’t take them. My fowl and bee hives was taken.
Q Did the raid take any hogs?
A Yes, two sows and their pigs. One had 5 pigs and the other had five.
Q Tell me about the rice.
A I had 30 bushels, I measured it. I am perfectly confident I measured the rice. It was in the shed room. The house was 18 feet long, and the shed room at the back of it. I generally go home every other Saturday. I paid my master $10 per month. I worked at carpenter’s work.
Q When did you get the beehives?
A My father left me 29, and my wife had one, and that made 30. I could not tell whether they all had honey, some had.
Q How many ducks did you have?
A Two ducks that had eight young ones a piece, and the old drake.
Q Which one of these yarns is true? I mean your stories about the ducks?
A I can’t tell, I s’pose [suppose] the first one. That one on the paper.
Q Is that all you had taken?
A All I remember.
Q Hear this read, and tell me if it is correct?
A Yes, sir.
[signed] Jacob Golding [his mark]
Attest
R. B. Avery,
Sp’l Com’r [Special Commission]
[Special Agent’s Report] image #6951
Claim of Jacob Golding, col’d, Liberty County, Ga } No. 20654
This is one of the poorest claimants I saw. He is entirely shiftless, and as the Hon Com’r [Honorable Commissioner] of Claims will believe, from his statement about his cows, on page 2, entirely unreliable. He was trying to make a story, and met every question with “hah? hah” He now has a very poor ox, that would not beef, however fat, more than 350 lbs. He has no hogs, no cattle, and a very poor crop.
Trone Hargrave, whom I found to be intelligent, and believe to be reliable, says of this claimant: “I was on the same place. I don’t think he had such property as that [referring to the list on claim] I remember all the slaves who owned horses. I never saw him with one of his own, until freedom.”
God knows, this claimant is needy. It may be that he had a cow, a pig or two, and a few chickens and ducks. He don’t own such property now, nor could I learn, except from his own statement, that he ever did. His statement is not to be relied on in any particular.
Very respectfully,
R. B. Avery
Sp’l Agt [Special Agent]
Hon. Com’rs of Claims, [Honorable Commissioner]
Washington D.C.