Claim Summary
Prime Hargrave, a 75-year-old formerly enslaved man who said he had lived in Liberty County, Georgia all his life, testified to the Southern Claims Commission in 1877 that he was present when U.S. soldiers from Sherman’s Army were foraging in Liberty County in December 1864. They took from him six cows, two bacon hogs, 20 stock hogs, 50 chickens, plus corn, potatoes, bedding, and clothing, he said, and took them to their camp at the Midway Church. Hargrave said he was enslaved on Charlton Hines’ plantation at the time, and that he was still living and farming there. Hargrave said he had obtained the property through his own hard labor, and had started by buying stock from Norman Way.
Thomas Wilder, a 40-year-old man who said he had known Hargraves since he was a boy and had been enslaved during the war on the same plantation, testified on Hargraves’ behalf. He said that everyone knew Hargraves was in favor of the Union side, and that he had taken the U.S. soldiers into his home and gave them something to eat. He added that Prime McIver, Richard Barnard, and Moses Wood could testify as to Hargraves’ loyalty to the Union. He corroborated Hargraves’ testimony about both owning the property and how it was taken.
Jackson Williams, a 37-year-old formerly enslaved man who said he had known Hargraves for about 20 years and lived on the same plantation during the war, also testified for Hargraves. He said they did not talk much about the war, but that everyone knew Hargraves was for the Union side, and that Will Way and Moses Wood could so testify.
Mrs. Sarah J. Hines, who the Commission identified as the wife of Hargraves’ former owner, also testified for Hargraves. She said that she had known him all her life and that during the war “he was on my place as he belonged to me.” She added that she was not present when the property was taken, but that she knew he was allowed to own property and did do so.
Robert Q. Cassels, a white man who owned a grocery store near a railroad stop in Liberty County, was present on October 25, 1877, to act as Hargraves’ counsel when the testimony was taken, as he did for a number of the formerly enslaved claimants from Liberty County. The Commission had come to be doubtful of the claims Cassels participated in, and when they denied Hargraves’ claim, they commented, “This is one of the Cassell claims…” They noted the lack of detail in the testimony, and ruled, “Such testimony is too vague & unreliable.”
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
The research into Prime Hargraves’ life hinged on one essential question. Was his first name Prime…or Prince? Or were there two men, one named Prime and the other Prince? Prime and Prince are virtually indistinguishable when written by hand, and it took a great deal of research to come to the conclusion that there was one man and that his name was most likely Prime, although records were found that looked clearly one way or clearly the other way, or not clear at all. The records were variously indexed in Ancestry.com as Prime or Prince…and sometimes the same record would be indexed both ways.
Although the name was clearly written as Prince in one probate record, I believe the true name was Prime. When he testified for Jackson Williams’ Southern Claims Commission petition, his name was clearly listed in two places as Primus (and in others as Prime). I also believe that there was only one man, because no records were found with both names at the same time. However, it has to be left as a possibility that his name could actually have been Prince, or that there were two men.
The surname Hargraves is also variously spelled Hargrave, Hargrove, Hargroves, or Hargreaves.
The 1870 census showed him as head of a household that included Patience (48 years old) and Moses Hargraves (8 years old). The 1870 census did not list relationships, but the 1880 census said that Patience, now listed as 53 years old, was his wife. In 1880, Moses was no longer in the household, but daughter Mary Hargraves (30) and grandchildren Patience Hargraves (8) and Prime Jones (7) were listed. (NOTE: The names of both the elder Prime Hargraves, and his grandson Prime were clearly written as Prime in this census, but both were indexed as “Prince.”)
Prime Hargrave died in December 1883 without a will, according to a probate record that named William Way as the administrator of his estate and his only two next of kin as his daughters, Mary Hargraves and Willowby Jackson. One of the daughters was characterized as being “not entirely of sound mind,” but it was not stated which one that was. In the 1880 census, Willowby (spelled Wilbey) was listed as living next to Prime and Patience Hargraves, with her daughter Bella (4) and sons Andrew (3) and Bob (4 months). Moses Stewart (18) was also in her household and was said to be her nephew; he is probably the Moses who was living with Prime and Patience Hargraves in 1870.
It will be remembered that Jackson Williams had said in his Southern Claims Commission testimony that one Will Way could testify as to Hargraves’ loyalty to the Union, so presumably William Way had lived on the same plantation.
The probate record said that Prime Hargraves left an estate valued at around $250 and that the estate was solvent and the daughters were in agreement about it. The probate petition was witnessed by Robert Jackson, possibly Willowby’s husband, on May 31, 1884. Because the petition said that Hargraves had only two next of kin and named them as his daughters, it would appear that Patience had died. However, a record was found that a Patience Hargraves had married a Levi Tolar on January 30, 1890, in Liberty County, and that a Patience Tolar had married A.W. Oliver in Liberty County on June 11, 1893.
Slavery
Prime Hargraves had testified to the Southern Claims Commission that Charlton Hines, deceased, was his owner, and Mrs. Sarah J. Hines had testified that she was his owner. Sarah Jane Hines (nee Way) was in fact Charlton Hines’ wife. Charlton Hines was a wealthy politician and land- and slaveowner in Liberty County, for whom its capital Hinesville was named. He died in 1864. His estate inventory did not list an enslaved man named Prime, but his 1861 will gave to his “beloved wife Sarah Jane Hines, to her and her heirs absolutely forever, free from all condition or conditions the following negro Slaves brought to me upon my intermarriage with her to wit: Prime, Abner, Dan, Henry, Isaiah, Dinah, Mary, Tenah, Becca, Hannah, Charlotte, Sarah and Cyrus.”
Sarah Jane Hines was born Sarah Jane Way, and had previously married her cousin, Nathaniel J. Way, and Nathaniel Way’s 1852 estate inventory listed an enslaved man named Prime. Although Prime was a common name among the enslaved people of Liberty County, it appears likely that this was him and that Sarah had inherited him upon Nathaniel’s death.
It is likely that Prime Hargraves belonged to the Midway Church before Emancipation, and was a prominent African American member. Midway Church records from 1863 identified an enslaved man named Prime, belonging to Charlton Hines, as one of the people authorized by the Church to perform marriages among the enslaved.
Why would Prime take the surname Hargraves upon Emancipation? There were only six other men in their 40s to 60s who did so in Liberty County. In Liberty County, formerly enslaved people often took a surname relating to an early enslaver of themselves or their parents or grandparents. It appears this may be the case here. Joseph Hargreaves, a English merchant from Liverpool living in Charleston, married the wealthy widow of Liberty County land- and slave-owner James Cantey in the early 1800s. She died, leaving Hargreaves her plantation and enslaved people. At his death in 1828, his estate inventory listed 125 enslaved people. Although no one named Prime was listed in that inventory, four of the other formerly enslaved people who took the name Hargraves at Emancipation were listed (Samuel, March, Abner, and Trone).
Hargreaves’ only heir was his nephew, who lived in Liverpool and who sold all the enslaved people to Robert Hutchison, a wealthy merchant from Savannah. By 1835, Hutchison had sold about half of them, and appeared to be planning to sell the other half.
It is very likely that Prime (and probably the other two, Simon and Cupid) had some sort of family connection to the Hargreaves enslaved people and that all these men (and likely some women) took the Hargreaves surname as a connection to other family members who were caught up in this terrible disruption of their community.
Citations
Federal Census Records
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 176, p. 21, dwelling #172, family #171, enumerated on November 194, 1870, by John E. Martin, Prime Hargraves household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10/26/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, District 15, enumeration district 67, p. 65, dwelling #703, family #707, Prime Hargraves household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10/26/2020).
Probate Records
Prime Hargraves 1884 Probate
Ancestry.com, digital images in “Administrations Hack, Ethel – Howard, J. W. 1880-1941,” images 63-69, dated May 1884, contained in the record set “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990” under “Liberty County.” Digitized from Liberty County Court of Ordinary probate folders. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QW-M88B?i=62&wc=9SBJ-6TP%3A267679901%2C267766701&cc=1999178, accessed 10/26/2020)
Charlton Hines 1861 Will
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-RJFM?cc=1999178&wc=9SYY-ZNP%3A267679901%2C268025701 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills 1863-1942 vol C-D > image 27-32 of 430.
Nathaniel J. Way 1852 estate inventory
”Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93T-XB5G?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 54 of 703.
Midway Church Records
Midway Congregational Church Records, digital images, FamilySearch.org (accessed 5/14/2020); Prime, belonging to Charlton Hines, in the quarterly session records. Records abstracted at https://theyhadnames.net/midway-church-records/.
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): Hargrave, Prime
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $442.50
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Walthourville, Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in: Walthourville, Liberty County, GA
Claim #: 20655
Secondary Claim #: N/A
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-12-14
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-02-08; 1877-10-25
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C.
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: Midway Church
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: Walthourville
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: This is one of the Cassell claims like No. 20645. The clmt was a slave till the end of the war. He says, as to how he came to own the property – 6 cows, 22 hogs, 60 bus corn, etc – when he got it & how he got the means see Q’n 70 – “I owned it before the war, got it by my hard labor, bought stock of Mr. Norman Way, labored for it” – Mrs. Hines the wife of claimant’s former master says – “I know he was allowed & did own property, which was taken during the raid in 1864” – what property & how much, she does not say but says she was not present & saw nothing taken. Such testimony is too vague & unreliable.
We disallow the claim.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Comrs of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
[Testimony taken on October 25, 1877, at Hinesville, with R.Q. Cassels acting as claimant’s counsel.]
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Prime Hargrave 75 years Liberty County Georgia all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am 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 the Stock and raised from them the other part by hard labor.
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From Plantation Liberty County Ga about 1000 acres about 200 cultivated balance woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
[Question 69 only asked of women.]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
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?
Slave at close of the war Farming Before I was free. Before the war By my hard labor bought stock from Mr Norman Way I labored for it Charlton Hines dead no because he is dead no I live on his land 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 present I saw it taken 6 head Cows 2 Bacon Hogs 20 Head Stock Hogs 60 Bushels Corn Bedding and clothing 50 Head Fowls 20 Bushels Potatoes
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 daytime 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.
Complaint was made to officer I complained to officer officer said nothing.
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 I was afraid to question
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 don’t know 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 in camp nearby
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 Cows were 4 Milch Cows and two steers Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 6 Head worth 20 dollars a head taken December from 15 to 20th of said month 1864 Kilpatrick Army They drove cattle out of field and carried them off Killed one on the place about 6 or 700 men over 100 Horses about 50 wagons they were there all day drove them to Midway Church I think I saw 3 or 4 officers present I know they were officers because the men in the army told me so. They gave me no satisfaction only they said you will get your pay back They said they wanted the cattle for the Army
The Bacon Hogs were large fat Hogs Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Head worth about 10 or 12 dollars a head December from 15th to 20th 1864 Kilpatrick Army Killed them in pen threw them on horse and carried them to camp about 6 or 700 men over 100 Horses 50 Wagons about ½ hour carried them to camp No officer when Hogs were taken men said you will get pay for them They said they wanted them for use of Army
The Stock Hogs were in good condition sows and Shoats Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga. 20 head worth about five dollars a head December 18th or 19th 1864 Kilpatrick Army Killed them in field about 18 or twenty men on Horse one wagon they were about a week killing and carrying off Hogs to Camp No officer present when Hogs were taken Said they wanted it for the army
The Corn was harvested and housed Shucked in ear Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga Fifty bushels worth one dollar a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick Army Took Corn out of house carried off in wagons about 5 or 600 men about 100 Horses and fifty wagons about ½ hour officer was present I know he was officer because the men pointed him out to me Said they needed it for the army.
The Bedding and Clothing consisted of Beds Quilts Blankets Sheets Pillows Mr Hines Plantation. Liberty County Ga worth 100 dollars 18 or 19 December1864 Kilpatrick Army carried them off in wagons to camp the whole company was there about ½ hour to camp one officer present the men told me he was officer (11) dont know
The Fowls were all eatable Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 50 Head I know how [many] Fowls I had and they took every one worth about 25 cts [cents] a head December 15 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick Army Shot them in yard and ?lot? they carried them off on horses they took Fowls by degrees some for several days until they took all carried them to camp No officer present they said they wanted them for the Army
The potatoes were in Bank Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Bushels I measured them worth about one dollar per bushel taken December 19 or 20th 1864 Kilpatrick Army tore the Banks down took Potatoes out and carried them off in wagons about 20 men one wagon was at banks ½ hour to camp one officer men told me he was officer men saw the officers told them to take it
[signed] Prime Hargrave [signed by mark]
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22d Oct [October] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Thomas Wilder)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Thomas Wilder about 40 years Liberty County Ga born and raised here Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am not Claimant not related not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Prime Hargraves
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
Known him intimately ever since I was a Boy
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
I did on same plantation
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
Yes
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 took the Yankee Soldiers in his house and treated them good gave them [word] to eat
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.
None
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 a Union man I was with him all the time of the war and heard him say so many times Prime McIver Richard Barnard Moses Wood
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Law Brister Fleming I 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 he did because we had talked about it
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?
Prime Hargraves He 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?
On Plantation Liberty County Ga about 1000 acres about 200 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
[Question 69-71 not applicable]
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 present I saw it taken 6 Cows 2 Bacon Hogs 20 Head Stock Hogs 60 Bush [Bushel] Corn Bedding and Clothing 50 Head of Fowls 20 Bush [Bushel] Potatoes
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 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.
Complaint was made to officer Prime Hargrave made the complaint
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 we were all afraid
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.
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.
There were 6 head of cows 4 Milch cows and two steers Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga worth 18 or 20 Dollars a head taken December near Christmas 1864 Kilpatrick Army drove them off to camp 6 or 700 men about 80 or 100 head of Horses 50 wagons Stayed all night on the place and drove cattle off next morning to camp dont know about officer being present the men said nothing that I heard of (11) dont know
The 2 Bacon hogs were fat ready to be killed Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Head worth about 10 or 12 dollars a piece December near Christmas 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them in the Pen carried them off on their Horses to camp about 6 or 700 men over 100 Horses 50 wagons about 15 minutes to camp never saw any officer to know him They said we need not fret that we would get pay for items
The Stock Hogs were Sows and Shoats Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Head I counted them worth about five dollars a head December 19th or 20th 1864 Kilpatrick Army Shot Hogs off and on for a week about 70 or 75 men every day to camp no officer present told us we would all get pay for our property
The Corn was Harvested and Shucked in Ear Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga Fifty bushels I saw it measured worth one dollar a bushel December 18th or 19th 1864Kilpatrick Army Took it out of the House carried off in wagons about 1 or 200 men about fifty wagons about ½ hour I saw one man on Horse and the men told me he was officer They said they wanted Corn for the Army
The Bedding and Clothing were Beds Quilts Blankets Sheets etc Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga worth 100/00 dollars December 19th or 20th 1864 Kilpatrick Army carried off in wagons the whole company was there 5 or ten minutes to camp dont know if officer was there (11th dont know)
The Fowls were grown and half grown Mr Hines Plantation Liberty Co Ga 50 Head I saw them counted worth about 25 cts [cents] a head December 19th or 20th 1864 Kilpatrick Army Shot them and caught some with dog carried them off to camp about 50 or 60 men about 15 or 20 Horses No officer present Said nothing
The Potatoes were in Banks Mr Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Bushels I saw them measured worth one dollar a bushel taken 18th or 19th December 1864 Kilpatricks Army Tore Bank down and put Potatoes in wagon and carried it off The whole Army was there then about 15 or 20 men and two or three Wagons were at Bank 10 or 15 minutes to camp one officer present they told me he was officer did not hear officers tell men to take the Potatoes
[signed] Thomas Wilder [signed by mark]
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22d Oct [October] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Jackson Williams)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Jackson Williams 37 years Liberty County about 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 claimant not related not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Prime Hargraves
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
About 20 years intimately
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
Yes in same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Was with him all the time
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.
Did not talk much about war
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.
no
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
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.
He was considered by every body as a Union man judge from his actions Will Way Moses Wood
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golden Will Way Brister Fleming I 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 he knew it from my actions
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?
Prime Hargraves 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 1000 acres about 200 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Questions 69-71 not applicable]
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 6 Cows 2 Bacon Hogs 20 Stock Hogs 60 Bush [Bushel] Corn Bedding and Clothing 50 Fowls 20 Bush [Bushel] Potatoes
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.
Dont 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 because we 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 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.
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 Cows were Milch Cows Charlton Hines plantation Liberty County 6 Head did not count them worth 20 dollars a head December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army drove them off about 7 or 800 men about 150 Horses about 50 wagons all day to camp a Midway Church 5 or 6 officers present Knew them by stripes Said they wanted them for Army that you will get pay for them
The Bacon Hogs were large fat Hogs Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Head worth 12 or 13 dollars a piece December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them put them on Horse about 7 or 800 men over 100 Horses about 50 or 60 wagons about ½ hour to camp 5 or 6 officers present knew by dress said they had to have them for the army I believe officers ordered them taken because they were there
The Stock Hogs were Sows and shoats Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Head counted them worth 5 or 6 dollars a head December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army Killed them in field about 40 or 50 men on Horse about one week getting Hogs 5 or 6 officers present Knew by dress Said they wanted them for the army
The Corn was in Ear Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 60 Bushels did not see it measured worth one dollar pr [per] Bushel December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army Took corn out of House and carried off in wagons about 5 or 600 men 100 Horses and fifty wagons about one hour to camp officer present knew by dress Said they wanted it for the use of army I believe officers told them to take it because they were present
The Bedding and Clothing were Beds Quilts Blankets etc Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga worth 100 dollars December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army carried them off in wagons the whole company was there about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress I believe officers told men to take because they were present
The Fowls were grown Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 50 Head guess that number worth 25 or 30 cts [cents] a head December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army Shot them in yard carried them off on horses tied to saddle They were 2 or 3 days carrying Fowls off Officer was present knew by dress Said they wanted them for army believe officers ordered them taken because they were present and did not stop it
The Potatoes were in Banks Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 20 bushels guess that quantity worth one dollar a bushel December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks army Tore Bank down put them in wagons about 20 men one wagon ½ hour to camp one officer present said they had to have them for army I believe officer told them to take them because they were present
[signed] Jackson Williams [signed by mark]
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 25th Oct [October] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Mrs. Sarah J. Hines)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Mrs. S.J. Hines aged 50 years Liberty County Ga 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?
Not related to claimant not interested in success of his claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Prime Hargrave
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All my life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On my place as he belonged to me
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
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.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
Nothing
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.
Know nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Don’t know
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 as I took no part in politics
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
No
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
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 & saw nothing taken but I know that he was allowed & did own property which was taken during the raid in 1864.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 8th Feby 1878
Henry Way, Special Com’r
[Signed] S.J. Hines