Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon
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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): Powell, George
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $220.00
Total Amount Allowed: $86.00
Nature of Claim: Supplies
Claimant living in: Midway, Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in: Midway, Liberty County, GA
Claim #: 18602
Secondary Claim #: 54053
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-11-24
Claimant’s Attorney: J.C. Todd
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer; Henry Way
Property Removed to:
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]:
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was the slave of W.W. Winn. His former master, W.W. Winn, testifies that he was allowed to own & did own such property as is charged. The property was taken for Army uses. We allow $86.00
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commrs of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
George Powell aged 37 years Liberty County Ga 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
46. Were you in the Confederate army, State militia, or any military or naval organization hostile to the United States? If so, state when, where, in what organizations, how and why you entered, how long you remained each time, and when and how you left. If you claim that you were conscripted, when and where was it, how did you receive notice, and from whom, and what was the precise manner in which the conscription was enforced against you? If you were never in the rebel army or other hostile organization, explain how you escaped service. If you furnished a substitute, when and why did you furnish one, and what is his name, and his present address, if living?
I was not
51. Were you ever in the Union army or navy, or in any service connected therewith? If so, when, where, in what capacity, under whose command or authority, for what period of time, and when and how did you leave service? Produce your discharge papers, so that their contents may be noted herein.
I was not
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 Bought and raised 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 Ga about 300 acres 150 were cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
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 became free at end of war Farming before I was free before war Bought and raised it labored for means W W Winn Liberty County Ga his is living He is not witness for me did not know I could get him not in his employ no no no no one interested in this claim
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 12 Head Stock Hogs 3 Meat Hogs 18 Head Fowls and Ducks 25 Bushels Corn 30 Bushels Rice Cooking Utensils
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.
I complained to officer but he gave me no satisfaction
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 was 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 about 4 miles 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.
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.
Item 1 The Hogs were Stock Hogs W W Winns plantation Liberty County Ga 12 Head worth 6 dollars a head taken about 18th December 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them and carried them off in Wagons about 70 Men and Horses 20 or 25 Wagons all day to camp don’t know if officers were present Saw them kill the Hogs and carry them towards camp
Item 2 The Meat Hogs were fat and ready to be killed W W Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga 3 Head worth 45 dollars taken at same time and place as Item 1
Item 3 The Fowls and Ducks were grown W W Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga 18 Head counted them worth 40 cts [cents] a head taken at same time and place as item 1
Item 4 The Corn was shucked and shelled Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga 25 Bushels measured worth one dollar a bushel taken at same time and place as Item 1
Item 5 The Rice was threshed Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga 30 bushels measured worth 2 dollars a bushel taken same time and place as Item 1
Item 6 The Cooking Utensils were 2 ovens 1 Spider 2 Pots Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga worth 12 dollars taken same time and place as Item 1
[signed] George Powell [signed by mark]
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 24th Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (James Stacy)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
James Stacy aged 39 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 to Claimant Not interested in success of this Claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
George Powell
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?
About ½ Mile
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
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.
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.
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.
No
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 known by all as a Union Man
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
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
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 present and saw taken 25 bush [bushel] Corn 30 bush [bushel] Rice 15 Hogs 16 Fowls
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.
Heard claimant complain
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.
No
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
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 at Midway Church
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.
Item 1 The Corn was shucked and threshed and shelled W W Winns plantation Liberty Co Ga 25 Bush [Bushel] saw it measured worth 1 25 a bushel Decebr [December] about the middle 1864 Kilpatrick Army Fed thier [their] Horse with some [of] the Corn and carried balance off in wagons 60 or 70 Men and Horses 7 Wagons several days to camp 3 officers present knew by dress said nothing Believe officers ordered it because they were present
Item 2 The Rice was threshed 30 bushels measured worth 2 Doll [Dollars] a bush [bushel] taken same time and place as Item 1
Item 3 The Fowls were grown 16 head counted them worth 25 cts [cents] a head taken same time and place as Item 1
Item 4 The Hogs were three Bacon balance Stock 15 head counted them worth 15 Dolls [Dollars] taken same time and place as Item 1
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th Decbr [December] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] James Stacy [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (W.W. Winn)
Additional evidence in case of George Powell on claim 18602
William W Winn former owner of Claimant answers the questions as follows
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
W W Winn aged 60 years Liberty Co Ga all my life Teacher
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 interest in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
George Powell
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?
Lived on my place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
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.
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.
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.
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.
I believe he was loyal
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?
Dont 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?
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.
Was not present but know he was allowed to own and did own property such as provisions Poultry Hogs etc and during the war and previous by my permission
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 5th March 1878
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
W. W. Winn
—————————-
Requisition no. 7419, dated July 7, 1880, transmitted for warrant July 10, 1880, on claim no. 55053, sett. No. 8305 for George Powell of Georgia, $86.00 due him “out of the appropriations for Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies furnished during the Rebellion.” Reported on June 22, 1880.]
—————————–
Draft for $86.00 for Georgia Powell’s claim, approved June 14, 1880. Made payable to J.C. Todd, Savannah, Georgia. Signed by the Treasury Department Second Comptroller’s Office on June 29, 1880 and by the Third Auditor’s Office on June 22, 1880.
—————————–
[Following are transcript of letters included in the case file]
[Stamped “Wm. Clifton, Attorney At Law, No. 1 Bull Street, Savannah, GA]
Savannah, Geo
June 8th, 1881
E.W. Keighley Esq’r
Auditor Treasury Departement
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I see from the Acts of the 46th Congress that the Commissioners of Claims awarded the sum of $86.00 to Geo. Powell of Liberty Co. Geo.
$120.00 to Joseph James of Liberty Co. Geo.
The above parties have not yet rec’d their drafts. Will you please inform me to whom said drafts were sent?
Will you please inform me if the Commissioners of Claims awarded anything to Scipio King?
An answer will oblige.
Your Obdt [Obedient] Servt [Servant]
Wm. Clifton
[Addressed to “Auditor Treasury Departement, Washington, D.C.”]
Hinesville, Geo.
July 20th, 1881
Auditor Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
The Commissioners of Claims awarded to George Powell (a claimant vs. Government) a small sum of money last year. He informed me yesterday that he had never received his draft and asked me to get it for him.
Will you please forward the draft to me at #1 Bull St. Savannah, Geo. or to George Powell, McIntosh, P.O. Liberty Co, Geo.
I shall esteem it a great favor to hear from you soon.
Yours Respectfully,
William Clifton
Atty at Law
#1 Bull St.
Sav. Geo.
—————————–
Office of the Auditor of the Treasury
For the Post Office Department
Washington July 27th, 1881
Respectfully referred to the Third Auditor of the Treasury the accompanying letter of William Clifton, with the request that if it does not pertain to the business of his office, he will please refer it to the property Bureau.
[Stamped: “Third Auditor’s Office, July 28 1881”]
[NOTE: No more papers in file.]