Isaac Jenkins – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: This claimant was a slave on the LeCount [LeConte] plantation Liberty Co. Ga. was but 18 years of age when the war broke out. The claim has been investigated & is wholly fraudulent. As a specimen of the claimant’s testimony taken in 1873 when he says (& truly as appears by other evidence) he was but 30 years of age he swears he worked for his master by the task – earned time, worked nights – raised hogs – got a cow & added “I had been raising stock in that way for 12 or 13 years before the raid”. He must have commenced at about the age of five years – a precocious youth truly.

The claim is disallowed.

A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris } Comrs of Claims

Testimony of Claimant

In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:

My name is Isaac Jenkins, my age 30 years, my residence Liberty County, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?

My name is Isaac Jenkins. I was born in Liberty County on Joseph LeConte Plantation, a slave, and became free when Sherman Army came into the county. I am about 30 years of age I reside in Liberty County on Joseph LeConte plantation right where I was born I am a farmer I am the claimant in this case.

2. Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? If so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?

From the 1st of April 1861 to the 1st of June 1865 I lived right where I live now I did not change my residence I am a slave and worked on the farm all the time.

3. Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?

Irrelevant

4. Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to “bear true faith,” or “yield obedience” to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.

Irrelevant

5. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?

The only oath I took was when I went to register for voting, I believe I swore to support the Union and the “Republican party” –

6 to 28 inclusive to each and every question claimant answers “no”

29. Did you ever do anything for the United States Government or its army, or for the Union cause, during the war? If so, state fully what you did.

I never had a chance to do anything for the Union Cause until the Yankees came in to the County. Then I did all I could I was a slave and could not do much, but what I did was done cheerfully. We were all so frightened we did not know what to do, or what we could do, we all felt happy but some of us were so fraid [afraid] that it was not true, we were afraid to do much for fear our old masters would return and serve us as they used to when we did anything that did not please them They used to let us feel the “rod”

30 to 39 inclusive to each and every question claimant answers “no”

40. At the beginning of the rebellion did you sympathize with the Union cause, or with the rebellion? What were your feelings and what your language on the subject? On which side did you exert your influence and cast your vote? What did you do, and how did you vote? How did you vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession? After the ordinance of secession was adopted in your State did you adhere to the Union cause, or did you “go with the State?”

I heard of the war about four years before the Yankee Army came through and we was all rejoiced and felt glad in our hearts but we was afraid it would not come true, that that we were to be freed. I was on the side of the Yankees all the time till they came, when they took all of our little things from us we felt bad, but it was soon all over and when we knew we were free we did not think much about our little property, we could not “give much influence” because we were slaves we felt all the time for the Yankees cause until they did come.

41. [Original Question 34.] In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that you were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?

In conclusion I do solemnly declare that from the time I heard of the war I was all the time on the side of the Yankees I never did anything by word or action to retard or injure the cause of the Yankees or put back their success and I was always ready and willing to do for them and assist them in any way I could, you know we were slaves and could not do much we could not talk so our master could hear us had they known what the colored people did talk about it would have been hot times for us.

[Question 42 only asked of women]

If the claimant be a colored person, ask the following questions:

43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.
At the beginning of the war or when I heard of it I was a slave and remained so till the Union Army came into the County – I continued farming after I became free. I worked on my old masters Plantation and gave him one half of all I made the first year, after that we gave him ⅓ for 3 years – then since that time we have paid twelve dollars a year for all the land one could cultivate. I pay six dollars for my wife I worked about 8 Acres – Joseph LeConte was my master he is living so far as I know – he went away about one year before the raid and I have not seen him since, he has an agent here who collects the rent, his name is John Harden living in Walthourville Liberty County Ga. The agent Mr John Harden claims we owe him and he has sued us. We do not owe them a cent – he failed to do what he agreed to do and we refused to pay all, that is why he sued the renters – I don’t know how it will be decided we don’t intend to pay him if we can avoid it. I am the only person who has any interest in this claim – The property all belonged to me – I worked for my master some times by the task and some times by the days – When I worked by the task I could save from 2 to 6 hours a day some time not any. When I worked by the day all the time I could get after sundown and during the night, I saved money – bought chickens raised and sold them bought a pair of pigs and raised hogs and in that way I got a cow – I had been raising stock in that way for 12 or 13 years before the raid – passed through we was allowed to raise every thing but cotton and sell. Our master always claimed the first chance to buy, if he did not want what we had to sell then he would allow us to sell to any body who did.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present when the soldiers took this property from me.

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

I saw this property taken the best part of it.

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

They told me none need not say anything for they were commanded to do it and we would get pay for it. They went on and took the property then.

4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?

This property was taken at my house on Joseph LeConte’s Plantation in the month of Dec [December] 1864 when the raid came there. The soldiers took this property. There were a good gang of them I didn’t count them. They kept taking a few things everyday till it was all gone.

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

There were present Ben Howard, Amos Harris, Primus LeConte, Cassius LeConte, Wm. [William] LeConte, when this property was taken.

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

I didn’t know the officers from the soldiers. One man there gave orders to take the property I don’t know whether he was an officer or not. All the soldiers were on horseback

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

They shot the cow down and killed her and they had some of her cooked on the place and the rest of it they carried off. They killed the hogs and put them in the wagons and put the chickens alive in the wagons and some they put on the horses. The corn was in my house they went into the house and put the corn into sacks and took it and put it into the wagons.

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

They removed this property in wagons and on horseback.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They moved this property to their camp at Midway. I know because I went with them

10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.

They took it for their own use They used the corn, and they killed the chickens and hogs for their own use. I saw them use the beef right at the house, and the hogs they used at the camp, the same night I been there with them I saw them use it. I saw them carry the ducks off in camp do not know what they did then with them but I saw them use some of the chickens. I saw them use the corn at the house to feed their horses and the rice they carried off. They used up a good chance of the eggs right there at the house. I saw them.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not make any complaint to any of officers on account of the taking of the property.

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not ask anybody for a voucher or receipt.

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

This property was taken at all hours through the day. They came plain and take it, it was not taken secretly.

14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?

The Army was encamped when I went back with them that day. I couldn’t tell whether they were encamped when they first came there or not. The camp was about 8 miles from my house. I can’t tell exactly how long they staid [stayed] there in camp.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

This property I had got all in pretty fine condition. I was to sell some of them for Bacon hogs.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1. This cow was spotted 4 years old going on 5. She was in pretty good order she would weigh about 400 lbs [pounds]. I had this cow about 3 years and a little more, and when I bought her she was about a year and 5 months old. She was the first cow I ever had. I swaped [swapped] a barrow for her when she was a yearling. They killed the cow and used some of the beef right there and what they took away I don’t know what they did with it.

Item No 2. I had 23 hogs that they took away from me. 10 of them were 2 years old and pretty fat and the others not so old. The big ones would go 160 and 170 lbs [pounds] They were heavy hogs. Some of the others 130 and 140 lbs [pounds] along there. I raised these from one another kept the [word]. 5 years I had been raising hogs. They took some of the hogs in wagons and some on horses and some they killed and used right there at the house and some were used in camp; they were all killed at my house.

Item No 3. They took 55 pr [pair] of chickens from me. They were all in the coop and I counted them. I was going to sell them. They took the chickens away in the wagons and hitched some on the horses.

Item No 4. I had 17 pr [pair] of ducks. I had 34 ducks. My attorney must have made a mistake. They took the ducks and tie them up and throw them in the wagons and carry them off to the camp.

Item No 5. I had 8 bus [bushel] of shelled corn I measured it by the sacks there were 4 sacks holding 2 bus [bushel] each. They used some of it to feed the horses right there and the balance part they carried off in sacks to the camp. They took 6 bus [bushel] of rice from me. They took it off in 2 bus [bushel] sacks, there were 3 of them they took off. I did not see them use the rice, they carried it off.

Item No 6. There were 20 doz [dozen] of eggs if I haven’t made a mistake. I had them in a hand basket, and they took them out one by one, and they counted them and I would remember how many there were 20 years. I wanted the nice little hand basket and they said they would oblige me so much, and put the eggs in the rice sacks and they said there’s 20 doz [dozen].

These articles all belonged to me and I saw the soldiers of the Union Army take them all from me. The soldiers did not pay me anything for this property – This is the first and only claim I have ever presented against the Government.

[signed] Isaac Jenkins [signed by mark]

Witness E.E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Amos Harris)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

My name is Amos Harris. I was born in Liberty Co Ga a slave; became free when the Yankees came along here. My Master was Randall Jones. I am about 30 years old. I live on Dr Joe LeConte’s plantation I was a farmer. I know the Claimant. I am not related to him. I have no interest in his claim. I have known him all my life we grew up together. He was a good Union man. He was in favor of the Yankee side all through the war.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present at his house when the soldiers took this property.

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

I saw the soldiers take this property.

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

They just came up there and tell us, they wanted us to catch those chickens and what we couldn’t catch they would shoot, and we caught them and gave them to the soldiers very careful and then they went after the ducks and caught them. They then went on and took the property only saying they had come off the line here, and expected to meet their boat here and had not, & must have something to eat.

4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?

This property was taken at Claimant’s house on Dr Joe Le Conte’s place. It was taken in Dec [December] month I can’t tell the year when the Army came through. The Yankees took this property. There were a whole gang of soldiers coming and going all the time you couldn’t cook and eat but they would come and take it away from you. They were some on horseback and some on their feet. They come and took as much of the Claimant’s as they could carry at one time and kept coming and going day after day, taking some from the others till it was all gone.

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

There were present the Claimant and his wife and Josh English Wm [William] LeConte and myself at the taking of the property.

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

There were no officers there except 1 sergeant there on his horse. They told us he belonged to Mr Sherman’s Army and Kilpatrick’s command. The soldiers told us he was ordered to take the property. He sat on his horse and did not object, he said they must have some things to eat when one man went to tell him about it.

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

The cow I saw them kill and pack up the meat on the horse and in the wagon. They killed the hogs in the lot right there and ordered [note-taker originally wrote “them,” then crossed it out and wrote “we”] to help them skin them and we did help them. They caught the chickens, and ducks out of the coop and made us help them. They took the corn and rice out of the barn and made us put them in the wagon. They took the eggs and cooked some there and put the rest in the wagon and carried them off.

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

They moved this property in wagons and on horses.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They moved the property to their camps at Midway They told us they were going there and Isaac Jenkins went with them.

10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.

They took the property to eat and to feed with. I saw them using the corn right there but the beef and rice and other articles they took away in wagons and I didn’t see them used. I know they took them to eat because they said so and they went to cooking and eating right there and they said they expected to meet their boat and when it came we would get it back, but we never got it it didn’t come.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not hear the claimant certainly make any complaint but it may be he was the one who spoke to the sergeant and asked him why he took our things as I have stated before but I can’t be certain it was he.

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not hear him ask for any voucher or receipt.

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

The property was taken in the day time. They always come pretty soon in the day and stay till dark they didn’t like to stay out after night.

14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?

The Army were encamped at Midway when this property was taken. It was 19 miles I think to the camp from Claimant’s house it may be more or less. It was called Kilpatrick’s Brigade. They staid [stayed] there about a month it seemed to me. They were foraging about the country. There had been no battles or skirmishing about then. I did not know any of the officers or the quartermasters.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

This property was in good condition when taken.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1. They took 1 cow from him I can’t tell her age. She would weigh I think between 300 and 400 lbs [pounds] She was very large. I saw them kill this cow and take her off.

Item No 2. He had 15 or 16 hogs They were in the lot in a pen. I heard the Yankee man spoke how many there were that he had 16 head but there may have been more or less He had a good bunch of hogs; I saw them kill these hogs and take them away on horseback and in wagons. There were 4 or 5 would weigh 150 or 200 lbs [pounds]. The others would weigh 100 lbs [pounds] some more and some less all sizes.

Item No 3. He had 50 pr [pair] of chickens. I heard Jenkins say himself right there that he had 50 pr [pair] sometimes he had over a 100 head he is a man raises a good deal of poultry They took some away on wagons and sme on horseback.

Item No 4. He had some 10 or 15 pr [pair] of ducks so long I had forgotten I know he had a heap of ducks there.

Item No 5. He had 8 bush [bushel] of corn in the ear I think. I heard the man say there was 8 bus [bushel] and that was enough to put in that wagon when they were taking it out. They fed some of this corn there and the rest they took away. He had 6 bush [bushel] of rice. They sacked his rice and put it in the wagon.

Item No 6. He had a lots of eggs but I can’t tell how many some were in a basket and some in a gourd. They made some of the women there boil some of the eggs then [word faded] them I saw them using them.

This property all belonged to Mr Jenkins I know because I saw him raise it. He had been raising ever since he was a man. My master allowed his slaves to raise such things and sell them when they were a mind to. I did not see them waste any except where they fed the horses on the ground and wasted some that way. The Claimant was an industrious hard working man.

[signed] Amos Harris [signed by mark]

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Benjamin Howard)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Benjamin Howard. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, a slave, became free when the raid came through here. Mr Joe LeConte was my master. I am about 31 years old. I live on the same place Joe LeCounts [LeConte] plantation. I am a Farmer. I know the Claimant Mr Isaac Jenkins. I am not related to him. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. The Claimant and I were raised together on our place. I know him to be a good friend to the Yankees.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

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

I was present when the soldiers took this property from the Claimant.

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

I saw them take the cow, hogs, poultry, corn, rice, and eggs.

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

Some came in on horses and some on foot and they shot at the cow the first thing they did and I had some cooked. I don’t remember exactly just what was said it was so long ago I was so glad to get my freedom I didn’t remember what was said at the time.

4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?

These things were taken at Sifax farm on Joe Le Conte’s plantation from Claimant’s house. It was in Dec [December] month when the Army come in here that they were taken. There was lots and [word] of soldiers I couldn’t tell how many. They kept coming and taking till they got it all away. Not all in one day.

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

Amos Harris, Wm [William] Le Conte, Cassius Le Conte, the Claimant, and his wife, and myself were present when this property was taken.

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

[No answer recorded]

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

They came up and shot the hogs down in the lot and took out the guts and threw them around to horses and the poultry. They shot tied up and threw them across the horses. They went into to the little house where they kept the corn in and burst it open and took it out. The eggs were in a basket and they took them out.

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

They moved this property away in wagons and on horses what they didn’t use there. They used some of the beef there and the corn.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They moved this property to camp I went there with the [word] with them and came right back and left the things there.

10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.

I know they took it off. I know they used some of it then to eat and feed and I supposed they used the rest for the use of the Army.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not hear him make any complaint to any officer he was walking back and forward then with them but I don’t know what he said.

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not hear the claimant ask for any voucher or receipt.

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

The property was taken in the daytime nobody had any time pieces and I couldn’t tell the hour, but it was daylight.

14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?

The Army were encamped at Midway I think when this property was taken. I understood they called the company Kilpatricks.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

This property was in good condition when taken.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1. He had one cow, a large [word]. I think she would weigh between 300 and 400 lbs [pounds] dress. I saw them kill this cow and use some of the beef.

Item No 2. I think he had 20 or 23 head of hogs, about 10 fat hogs. I reckon would weigh about 170 and 180 lbs [pounds] and from that down. I think the others would weigh from 50 to 75 and 100 lbs [pounds] I saw them kill and take them away; they threw them across the horses.

Item No 3. He had 55 pr [pair] of chickens I never counted them but I was often there at his house and we looked over the chickens to see who had the most and I was there just before the raid, and did this. The chickens, they just came then and shot down and caught some and put them in the wagons and on the horses.

Item No 4. He had 17 prs [pairs] of ducks I saw them take them all off, but I couldn’t certain whether they kill all or not.

Item No 5. He had 8 bus [bushel] of corn I think it was in the ear I saw it measured but there was 8 bus [bushel] of shelled corn enough to make it or can, it take 16 bus [bushel] of ears for 8 bus [bushel] shelled that was the way I counted it. I saw the rice measured 6 bus [bushel] of rough rice. I saw them take off the corn and rice in the wagons and on the horses.

Item No 6. He had 20 doz [dozen] eggs. They took them out of a basket. I don’t remember if they used any then or not they was all running from house to house and all confusion. They took them off.

This property all belonged to Mr Jenkins the Claimant. I know it was his because I grew up with him and saw him striving to get it our owner allowed us all to get such things and raise them all we could. He had been raising hogs ever since he was a young boy I don’t remember how old but it was a good while he raised We were allowed to sell our property if we went to our master and got him to give us a written permission to sell.

[signed] Benjamin Howard [signed by mark]

Witness E. E. Addington

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

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No. 22.665 unfavorable

Isaac Jenkins, Col’d

Liberty County, Ga

Testimony of Nancy Jenkins page 1
Report Sp’l Agt page 3

Respectfully forwarded from Waynesboro, Ga

July 20, 1878

R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agt [Special Agent]

Attys notified July 24, 1878

Submitted Aug 28/78

Gilmore & Co

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Testimony of Nancy Jenkins, colored, taken under oath, at Cross Roads Church, Liberty County, Ga. June 7th, 1878:

Q How old are you?

A I can’t tell. I married the 2nd year of freedom, when I was 15 years old. You can tell from that, I have four children.

Q Where were you living when the raid came?

A Maj. Porters. A good piece from Mr Lecounts. Six miles.

Q Where is Isaac Jenkins?

A He is working out. He don’t come home after, for his work is monthly work. He is somewhere on the R. R. He was at 7 ½ the last time I heard of him. I don’t know now which side he is on until he comes home and tells me. I am now living on the Lecount place.

Q Did you know anything about the property in this account?

A Not on his side. What fall to me on my side, was some rice, corn, eggs, chickens ducks, and hogs, cows. This come from my mother. He put that in his claim I understand. I could not give in what he had on his side. I was not there.

Q Do you know any one who lived on the place with Isaac during the war?

A Oh yes. Ben Howard, Primus Lecount, Bob Anderson, Billy Lecount, They live on the Lecount place now. 4 ½ miles from here.

Q Hear this read, and tell me if it is correct

A That is correct.

[signed] Nancy Jenkins [signed by mark]

Attest
R. B. Avery,
Sp’l Com’r [Special Commissioner]

Claim of Isaac Jenkins, Col’d [Colored]
Liberty County, Ga. No 20.6.65.

I did not see this claimant, but his wife came among others. I required of all the Lecount negroes. No one could say that this claimant owned anything during the war. He was but a boy, and had nothing. W. A. Golding swears: “He was on the Lecount place. His father owned a pretty fair stock, but Isaac had nothing. He was only a boy, I can’t say anything for him at all.”

Every person with whom I conversed about it, said substantially the same thing. The claim in toto is a fraud.

Very respectfully,
R. B. Avery
Sp’l Agt [Special Agent]

Hon. [Honorable] Comr’s [Commissioners] of Claims
Washington, D.C.

Isaac Jenkins
Liberty Co, Ga.
20.6.65

Claimant is 30 yrs [years] of age. Was a slave and belonged to Joseph LeCount and still lives on his place. After he became free he farmed on the place and the first year gave one half of what he made – after that one third for three years and since that $12 for all the land they could cultivate. Joseph LeCounte went away about one year before the raid came and has never returned – He had an agent in Walthourville – named John harden who collects the rents. This agent claims the negroes owe him (others being on the place) and has sued them. He did not do as he agreed to do and they refused to pay him – [word] to work like the rest of them – over time and thus earned a little money and bought some stuff

Account
Cow – 23 Hogs – 55 Chickens – 17 Ducks – 8 Bus [Bushel] of Corn – 6 Bus [Bushel] of Rice 20 Doz [Dozen] Eggs

Witnesses
Amos Harris
Benjamin Howard

Isaac jenkins
Liberty Co, Geo. [Claim] 20665

“He was on the Lecount Place. I never see him have a horse. He was only a boy. His father owned a pretty fair stock but Isaac had nothing. I can’t say anything for him (Isaac) at all.”

See depositions of W. A Golding on private file