Claim Summary
George McConnell, formerly enslaved by Robert C. Hines, was awarded $120 from the U.S. Southern Claims Commission in 1879 in compensation for property confiscated from him by the U.S. Army when it raided Liberty County, Georgia, in December 1864.
McConnell, who was 57 years old and farming in Turkey Scratch, Liberty County, in 1877 when he testified about his claim, said he had lived in Liberty County all his life. He said that at the time of the war, he was enslaved on Robert Hines’ plantation, and that Robert Hines was not testifying for him because he was ill.
McConnell’s claim stated that the soldiers had taken a bay mare and a colt, a cow, and a wagon and harness. He said he bought the mare from K.L. Keaton some time before the war and had raised the colt from it. He was present when Kilpatrick’s Cavalry showed up around December 15, 1864. They saddled and bridled the mare and rode her off; the colt followed her, and they went in the direction of Savannah. They also drove his cow off with other cattle, and put a horse to his wagon and harness, loaded it with potatoes, and drove off.
Augustus Williams, who was also enslaved by Robert Hines, testified for McConnell, saying he had known him for about 25 or 30 years but only really well for about 20 years. He said that he was 43 years old and had resided in Liberty County for 20 years. He said that Jack Stewart, Sam Gaulden, and Lewis Hines could also testify that McConnell had been in favor of the Union (presumably because they were on the same plantation). (For more about Augustus Williams, please see his own claim and the research done on it.): https://theyhadnames.net/2020/06/02/augustus-williams-southern-claims-commission/ and the note below this in Robert Hines’ testimony.)
Newton Bacon, who said in his 1877 testimony that he was 55 and had lived in Liberty County all his life, said he had known McConnell intimately since he was a boy, and that they lived on the same plantation. He cited Abram Hines, Charles Hines, and Cuffee Hines as people who could attest to McConnell’s loyalty to the Union. (For information about why Newton Bacon took the surname Bacon, please see: https://theyhadnames.net/2019/10/06/why-did-newton-bacon-take-the-name-bacon-after-the-civil-war/.)
Slaveowner Robert Hines did testify for McConnell in January 1878. He said that he was 66 years old, and had lived in Liberty County all his life. When asked whether he lived near McConnell during the war, Hines said, “He was my slave and was off at work as a carpenter most of the time during the war,” but that he saw him at least once a month. He said he was not present when the property was taken but that McConnell had owned property by his [Hines’] permission.
A document was found in Liberty County court records showing that on November 15, 1877, Robert C. Hines had certified to the court that “George McConnell my former slave owned property on my place two horses a waggon and harness a cow and calf which I believe he lost during the war.” Hines also said that Augustus Williams had belonged to Mrs. Lewis Hines, who lived in Bryan County as a widow, and that Lucy, Augustus Williams’ wife, had belonged to Robert Hines and lived on his plantation. He said that Lucy and Augustus had owned property, which was on his (Hines’) plantation at the time of the war, and that “Williams was under my control at the time of the war.”
Claim transcribed by Tamra Costine; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
This is a rare instance in which the 1870 and 1880 U.S. federal censuses and this Southern Claims Commission records all agree on a birth year: George McConnell was born in 1820. In the 1870 census, George McConnell was listed as a carpenter who had $300 worth of real estate and $150 worth of personal property. In the household were his wife Grace (47), George (12), Joseph (10), and Monimia (7). George was listed as being able to read and write, and his wife was able to read. His race was listed as mulatto.
On June 4, 1875, George McConnell bought 560 acres of land in Liberty County from Benjamin Darsey, who was the administrator of the John F. McGowen estate and had put the land up for sale at a private auction. At $200, McConnell was the highest bidder. The deed record provided a detailed description of the land, part of which was the northern half of a tract originally granted to Daniel Dunham, another part a 234-acre tract originally granted to John Q. Baker, and the last a 50-acre tract known as the John S. Norman tract, formerly called the Bairds tract.
In the 1880 census, McConnel’s occupation was given as carpenter and farmer, and his wife Grace (51) was assisting on the farm. Son Joseph (18) was also assisting on the farm, but Monimia (15) and adopted daughter Eva Lawson (12) were both at school. George was still listed as literate, and Grace as able to read, and George’s race was still listed as mulatto (as were his children’s race).
In 1884, McConnell used 500 acres of land, his entire future crop of cotton, rice, and corn, and an ox as security for $35 worth of groceries to J.C. Thompson. He had to repay the amount at 8 per cent interest, waive his homestead and tax exemption rights, and agree to pay an additional 10 % interest on the principal and interest if he should default.
On May 14, 1886, George McConnell sold 200 acres of land for $130 to E.P. Miller and N.J. Norman. The land was described as “bounded on the north by the Stacy land on the east by R.Q. Cassels on the south by the Savannah Florida and Western Railway and on the west by Fraser.”
Just a month later, on June 17, 1886, George McConnell died. Joseph McConnell applied to the Liberty County Court of Ordinary for widow’s support for his mother, Grace McConnell, stating that his father George had died without a will. The court appointed Fortune Anderson, Thomas McIver, Stephen Bacon, Byron McIver, and Frank Bacon to appraise his estate and decide on an amount.
Joseph McConnell moved to Savannah, where he worked for the railroad, and died in 1932. His death certificate listed his father as George McConnell and his mother’s maiden name as Grace Monroe. Grace McConnell lived until at least 1900, when she was listed in the 1900 census living with her daughter Monamia, listed as Minnie McConnell, and grandchildren Rosa (18), George (14) and Benjamin (12) McConnell.
Slavery
Robert C. Hines did not die until after the Civil War so there were no probate records for him that would have named George McConnell. However, Hines’ father, Charlton Hines, died in 1864, and his estate inventory named a George who was valued at $1500.
Citations:
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 181, p. 5, dwelling #41, family #42, enumerated on November 12, 1870, by W.S. Norman, George & Grace McConnell household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10/4/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, District 15, enumeration district 66, p. 10, dwelling #88, family #90, George & Grace McConnell; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10/4/2020).
1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 1476, enumeration district 88, sheet #15, line number 38-43, Grace McConnell household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10/4/2020).
Robert C. Hines testimony about George McConnell and Augustus Williams: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-GC4N?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 583 of 689.
Widow’s Support application for George McConnell estate: FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Administration Records 1911-1915 Martin, Peter-Mints, M.C.,” image #232-237. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9Q4-ZVNV?i=231&wc=9SBV-C68%3A267679901%2C267920801&cc=1999178, accessed 10/4/2020)
Joseph McConnell’s notification of George McConnell’s death: FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Miscellaneous probate records 1878-1891 vol R,” pages 635-6, images #355-6. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93L-5FJ7?i=354&wc=9SYY-924%3A267679901%2C268016101&cc=1999178, accessed 10/4/2020)
Deed Records
Liberty County Superior Court, “ Deeds & Mortgages v. U 1884-1885,” p. 202, George McConnell to J.C. Thompson; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. T-U 1882-1885” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #382, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R9CW-L?i=381&cat=292358, accessed 10/4/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “ Deeds & Mortgages v. W 1886-1887,” p. 143-4, George McConnell to E.P. Miller and N.J.. Norman; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. V-W 1885-1887” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #300-1, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-GN7S?i=299&cat=292358, accessed 10/4/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “ Deeds & Mortgages v. R 1874-1877,” p. 131-2, Benjamin Darsey to George McConnell; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. Q-R 1870-1877” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #353-4, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-511T?i=352&cat=292358, accessed 10/4/2020)
Charlton Hines 1864 estate inventory: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93L-RJ96?cc=1999178&wc=9SYY-ZNP%3A267679901%2C268025701 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills 1863-1942 vol C-D > image 43 of 430; https://theyhadnames.net/2019/03/18/liberty-county-estate-inventory-charlton-hines/
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): McConnell, George
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $220
Total Amount Allowed: $120
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Turkey Scratch, Liberty County, Ga
Incident occurred in: Goshen Farm, Liberty County
Claim #: 20681
Secondary Claim #:
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: [Illegible]
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-10-09
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms [crossed out], Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C.
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer at time of petition; Henry Way at time of testimony
Property Removed to: the camp of the Army
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]: 1878-12-13
Post Office of Claimant: No 3 A & G Rail Road [Atlantic & Gulf]
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a slave and a carpenter by trade. His loyalty is established by the law and the testimony. He and two of his fellows testify to the ownership and taking of the property. His former master Robert Hines testified that he knows claimant owned such property. We allow $120.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs [Commissioners of Claims]
[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony was taken on October 9, 1877, at #3 A & G Railroad in Liberty County in presence of R.Q. Cassels.]
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
George McConnell 57 years Liberty County all my life
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am claimant
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
I was owner bought it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
was taken from plantation in Liberty County about 100 acres about 75 acres cultivated about 25 woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
was slave became free at end of war Carpenter Before I was free some time before the war bought mare from K L Keaton and raised the colt, worked for it Robert Hines Liberty County still living not witness for me because he is down in bed sick not at present do not live on his land not bought from him am not in his debt no one
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was. Saw all of it taken 1 mare and colt 1 cow 1 single wagon and harness
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In open day time
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
complained to the man who took them there was no officer present I made complaint he told me I would get these back after the war
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none because I did not know any better
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped in vicinity
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The mare and colt were Bay color in good condition Robert Hines plantation 2 head good horses worth $150.00 was taken somewhere about 15th December 1864. Kilpatrick Cavalry. They put saddle and bridle on mare and rode her off and colt followed her about 800 men about 400 horses about 50 wagons about one hour went towards Savannah no officer present I asked them I was to get my horses back they said after the war I supposed that the officers ordered men to take them the cow was red color young Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 cow good milch cow worth $20.00 was taken 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry. Drove her off with other cattle about 800 men 400 horses about one hour to camp officers were on the place but none with the men who took the cow knew them by dress said nothing because the officers were on the place.
The wagon and harness was almost new Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 wagon and harness good strong wagon and harness worth $50.00 dollars was taken about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry they put a horse in it and loaded it with potatoes and carried it off about 800 men 400 horses about one hour to camp no officer with the men who took the wagon but were on the place not far off as the officers were on the place I suppose the men were ordered to take them.
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me this 9th October 1877
Henry Way Special Comm[issioner]
Signed: George Connell [SIC, name as written in the document, not written by the claimant]
Testimony of Witness (Augustus Williams)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Agustus Williams Liberty County 43 year residence for 20 years Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not the claimant not related
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
George McConnell
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
About 25 or thirty known him intimately about 20 years
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
lived on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
often about once a week
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
talked about the war said we wished the war would make haste and come to an end so that we could all be free during war at Robert Hines plantation no one present because we wanted our freedom
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
He often wished them success He never took any part in the rebellion but was all the time leaning to the union cause
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
nothing
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
never heard any thing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Every body knew him to be union because I was with him and heard him express his feelings Jack Stewart Sam Gaulden Lewis Hines
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Tony Goulding Gus Law Brister Fleming know it
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was he did
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
no
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
don’t know of any
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
none
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
George McConnell bought it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
from plantation Liberty County about 75 acres about 50 acres cultivated 25 woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I saw it taken 1 mare and colt 1 cow wagon and harness
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
was taken in day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
Don’t know
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none that I know of
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped not far off
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
[no answers recorded]
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The mare and colt were Bay color Robert Hines plantation 1 mare and colt good working animal worth $150.00 dollars were taken about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry They put saddle and bridle on mare and carried her off colt followed about 800 men about 500 horses about 50 wagons about ½ hour to camp don’t know whether there were officers present or not don’t know believe the officers ordered men to take them because the officers were on the place at the time the men said they took them for the use of Army The cow was red color young cow Robert Hines Plantation 1 cow good milch cow, worth $20.00 dollars was taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry drove her off with other beef cattle about 800 men 4 or 500 horses to the camp officers were on the place know him by their dress did not hear them say any thing The men said they took cow for the use of Army The wagon and harness were nearly new in use about 6 months Robert Hines plantation 1 wagon and harness In good order worth $50.00 dollars was taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry They put a horse to it and and drove it off towards their camp about 800 men about 4 or 500 horses about one hour towards camp officers on the place but none on spot where wagon was taken Know them by dress did not hear officers tell men to take it but they said they took it for the use of Army
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me this 9th October 1877
Henry Way Special Comm[issioner]
[Signed by mark]
Augustus Williams
Testimony of Witness (Newton Bacon)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Newton Bacon 55 years Liberty County all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
am not claimant not related
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
George McConnell
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
from a boy known intimately all the time
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
yes on same plantation
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Met him every day or two
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
Talked about our distress in the war how Yankees were doing [word] during war Robert Hines plantation good many people present because of our distress Claimant said hoped war would soon end
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
don’t know any thing particular
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
don’t know any thing
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
never heard any thing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Every body looked upon him as a Union man I know he was a Union man from his talk and actions Abram Hines Charles Hines Cuffee Hines
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Tony Golding Gus Law Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
no
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
no
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
no
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
George McConnell bought it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
Plantation Liberty County about 70 or 75 acres about 40 or 50 acres planted balance woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did mare and colt cow wagon and harness
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
in day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
don’t know saw claimant talking to officer in camp did not hear what was said
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none because don’t know any better
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped near by
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
[no answers recorded]
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The mare and colt were Bay color Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 mare and colt good working animal $150.00 dollars was taken about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry they put mare in wagon and drove off colt followed about 6 or 800 men 4 or 500 horses one hour to camp officers were on place but not with men who took the mare and colt The men said you will get all back at close of war I believe officer told men to take them because they were on the place = The cow was red color young cow Robert Hines plantation 1 cow good milch cow worth $20.00 dollars was taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry drove her off with other cattle about 8 or 900 men 4 or 500 horses to camp officers were on the plantation knew them by dress believe officers told men to take it did not hear them say any thing about one hour = The wagon and harness were nearly new Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 wagon and harness about new worth about $50.00 dollars was taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry They put horse in wagon and drove off about 8 or 900 men 4 or 500 horses to camp about one hour officers were on plantation knew them by dress they said nothing did not hear officers tell men to take it but believe they were ordered as officers were on place =
Sworn to and subscribed
Before me this 9th October
1877
Henry Way Special Comm[issioner]
[Signed by his mark] Newton Bacon
Testimony of Witness (Robert Hines)
[Robert Hines testimony taken at Hinesville, Liberty County, on January 6, 1878]
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Robert Hines aged 66 years Liberty County all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
not related not interested in the success of this claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
George McConnell
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all his life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
He was my slave and was off at work as a carpenter mst of the time during the war
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him at least once a month
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
Not particularly
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
Don’t know any thing particular
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Never heard any thing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
I suppose he was like all the other colored people [word smudged] Union
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Don’t know
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was not
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
None
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
None
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was not present when the property was taken but I know he owned the property by my permission when taken
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me this 8th Jan 1878
Henry Way Special Comm[issioner]
Signed: R. Hines
[Transmitted for warrant dated April 19, 1879, to pay $120 to George McConnell for “Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies furnished during the Rebellion.” Reported March 21, 1879, returned April 3, 1879, Requisition #2348, dated April 15, 1879.]
[Draft for $120 on claim of George McConnell, payable to Hosmer [&] Co, Washington, D.C., dated April 3, 1879, at Second Comptroller’s Office, and March 21, 1879 at Third Auditor’s Office.]
[Note from Gilmore & Co stating that they are the attorneys of record in this case, having filed a power of attorney with the Commissioners of Claims from J.M. Simms to Chipman, Hosmer & Co to prosecute all the claims in which he had a power of attorney. Dated March 11, 1879]