Isaac Simpson – Southern Claims Commission

Claim Summary

Isaac Simpson, formerly enslaved in Liberty County, Georgia, had a reputation as an honest and industrious man. In 1878, the U.S. Southern Claims Commission special agent who investigated his claim against the government for property taken from him during the Civil War wrote, “The claimant bears a good reputation for industry and trustworthiness. Every one with whom I conversed spoke well of him.”

This did not help him significantly, however, when his case was adjudicated. He had claimed $171 for 3 cows, 4 hogs, 4 bushels of corn, 25 bushels of rice and 11 bushels of potatoes taken by U.S. soldiers of Sherman’s Army while they were foraging for the army in Liberty County in December 1864. The U.S. Southern Claims Commission was required to look for evidence of loyalty to the Union in claimants, which they accepted as more or less a given in the case of formerly enslaved claimants, and evidence that the claimant owned the property, which was problematic for former slaves. In Liberty County, it had been established that certain enslaved people were allowed to own small amounts of property by their owners, but the Commission always wanted to see testimony by whites, preferably the former owners, in support of these claims.

In Simpson’s case, his former owner, William S. Baker, had died in 1862, and thus was obviously not available to testify for good reason. However, the Special Commissioner who took Simpson’s testimony kept asking him and his witness, Henry Brown, another formerly enslaved man, whether there were any white people, particularly members of the slaveowner’s family, who could testify for him. Simpson and Brown kept saying that the only family members remaining of his slaveowner had been too young at the time of the War to be useful as witnesses.

Finally, a way around the dilemma was found. William S. Baker was the half-brother of L. John Mallard, and in 1878 Mallard’s son Lyman B. Mallard, who was only 22, was brought in to testify that Simpson had belonged to his father and that his father had allowed him to own property. Lyman Mallard, who was of course only about 9 when the Civil War ended, often testified in these Liberty County claims; it is not clear why, except perhaps to solve the problem of former slaveowners being unwilling or unable (through death or absence) to testify for the African American claimants. Regardless, now Simpson had a white witness, and his claim was approved.

He was only awarded $92 of his $171 claim, however, based on the Special Agent’s report. Agent R.B. Avery re-interviewed Simpson on June 8, 1878, at the Cross Roads Church. It was evident that there was suspicion that the property Simpson had claimed had actually belonged to his mother. Simpson denied this. He had said in his earlier testimony that he had gotten a cow from his father, and this time he said that he had gotten it “from the man I belonged to for some fattening hogs.” Simpson also noted that he had brothers and at least one sister.

Agent Avery also interviewed two other formerly enslaved men about Simpson. William A. Golding appears to have frequently given testimony about claimants that was held in a private file by the Agent, and he said, “He and Jacob Quarterman used to belong to the same man – W. S. Baker. Simpson was a young man during the war, and he could not claim much. He is an industrious fellow, and has bought himself a house since freedom. His master was kind to him, and allowed him to raise what he could. He did not own a horse. I don’t know about cows.” Crawford James told the agent that he knew Simpson and didn’t know of his owning any property.

The Agent was skeptical. He believed that the property Simpson claimed had actually belonged to his family and that Simpson had put it all in his own claim. He also doubted the amounts and quality of the items claimed, but he did note Simpson’s reputation for trustworthiness. In the end, the Commission decided to award Simpson part of his claim, noting that he was “industrious and thrifty and has accumulated property since the war,” but adding what to them was the most important part: “White men who testified say that he is truthful and of good character.”

Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole

More about the Claimant

Isaac Simpson had testified in 1877 that he was 39 years old, putting his birth year around 1838. He was found listed in the 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1900 U.S. federal censuses in Liberty County, with birth years ranging between 1838-1840.

In the 1870 census, which did not identify relationships, he was living in a household with Emma Simpson (28), Violet Simpson (11), Edward Simpson (10), and Rosa Jane Simpson (6). He was listed as a farmer and not as owning property.

In the 1880 census, which did identify relationships, Emmily (40) was listed as his wife, and the family had more children: Edward (16), Rosa J. (13), Lewis (10), Harriet (7), Purdee (3), and little Charley (8 months). Also living in the household were Scipio Mallard (23), identified as Isaac’s brother-in-law and Crawford Mallard, identified as his nephew. This gave the first clue that Emily Simpson’s maiden name was Mallard.

Twenty years later, in the 1900 census, the household had contracted, with only Isaac (54), Emily (52), Charley (21) and Daisy (18) remaining. The 1900 census also said that Isaac and Emily had been married for 38 years, and that Emily had had 12 children, with only 8 living. It also revealed that Isaac owned his farm and could read and write.

The 1910 census revealed the name of the community in which they lived: Thebes. Showing the vagaries of the census, Isaac and Emily were now – 10 years later – said to have been married for 40 years, and Emily to have had 10 children, with 8 living. In the household with them were Kennet W. (7), a grandson, and Lucy Bryan (13), a niece. Isaac was still listed as being able to read and write without ever having attended school, and as owning his own farm.

So where did Isaac Simpson get his land? Liberty County Superior Court deed records reveal at least part of the answer: In 1881, a white man named W. W. Winn, a former slaveowner and agent for the Reverend Thomas Sumner Winn, sold to Isaac Simpson for $150 “one half of that tract of land known as Estate Wilson’s tract in said County bounded north by lands formerly belonging to W.W. Winn, on the east by lands formerly belonging to Estate Washington Winn, on the South by lands formerly belonging to Estate J. Wilson Winn, on the West by old Stage Road leading from Savannah to Darien…said tract containing fifty acres more or less…” The deed was not recorded until 1889, when Seaborn Snelson probated it.

In 1885, Isaac Simpson used that land as collateral to obtain $25 in groceries from a local merchant named Robert Q. Cassels, who had a store near the McIntosh railroad stop in Liberty County. Simpson had to repay the $25 by October or risk losing “thirty four acres land lying in Liberty Co. Ga. on the Midway & Riceboro Road, being the tract of land I live on Deeded from Rev. Sumner Winn also a b[l]aze face bay mare also my rice corn & cotton.” He would also have to pay an additional 10% of the principal and interest if he defaulted.

In 1895, Isaac Simpson sued the Florida Central and Peninsula Railroad Company for $450 in damages in Liberty County County Court. John L. Harden, a former slaveowner who frequently represented African American defendants in the courts after the war, was his attorney. Simpson stated that he owned 10 acres of rice land in the Powell Swamp in Liberty County, bounded north by land that had been owned by W.W. Winn, east by land previously owned by Washington Winn and south by land previously belonging J. Wilson Winn, and west by the old Darien Stage Road. He said that he was entitled to the rice and profits from the land during the years 1893-1895. The railroad had injured him, he claimed, by closing up the two canals on either side of the Powell Swamp to build the railroad embankments, which acted as artificial dams blocking the outflow of water from the swamp, flooding the swamp and causing Simpson to lose all of his rice crops in those years, a value of $200 annually. Simpson stated that the land was of no value except for rice cultivation, with proper drainage, and the railroad’s action had resulted in loss of the crops. He (or his lawyers) also described the railroad as acting in bad faith, being “stubbornly litigious,” and causing Simpson unnecessary trouble and expense by not simply creating a drainage system and insisting on going to court.

The railroad’s response in court? Simply that the allegations were “not true.”

Who won? The railroad, of course. Liberty County County Judge C.W. Ashmore ruled that the railroad could recover from Simpson all costs associated with the case. As of 1896, Simpson planned to appeal, and had filed a “pauper affidavit.”

By 1896, it also appeared that part of Isaac and Emily Simpson’s family had moved to Nassau County, Florida. Edward Simpson, presumably their son, bought land in Liberty County on May 15, 1896, from Mary E. Jones, paying $38.25 for a tract of 11 ⅓ acres near the 31 mile post on the Savannah and Darien Wagon Road, bounded north by land belonging to Mary E. Jones, east by the said road, and south and west by land of J.L. Lambert and W.J. Jones, according to a survey made by J.D. Zorn, county surveyor, on May 12, 1896. The deed was witnessed by Isaac Simpson, and recorded on October 25, 1900.The deed record identified Edward W. Simpson as being of Nassau County, Florida. Census records after that showed Edward as living in Savannah, Georgia, and he died there in 1928, but the 1920 census did reveal that his four sons were born in Florida.

A 1900 U.S. census record showed that Isaac’s son Lewis had moved to Nassau County by then, though he was found living in Jacksonville, Florida, in the 1920 census.

In February 1913, Isaac Simpson gave eight acres of land to Henry Baker, saying he was his brother, and described the land as bounded on the north by land of Estate Jane Wilson, east by land of Estate J.G. Lambert, south and west by the land of Isaac Simpson.

In March 1913, he and C.H. Simpson [perhaps his son Charlie] sold a 10-year right to all the trees on his land to the Southern Timber Company for $90. The land was described as containing 42 acres, made up of two tracts of 17 and 25 acres each. It was said to be bounded on the north by Mallard Swamp, east by H. Parker, Golden, Lambert and Theo. Winn, south by Theo Winn, and west by the Darien and Savannah Road.

In September 1913, he sold to Lydia Walthour for $25 a 20-acre tract of land bounded north by the land of S.P. Gould, east by estate of J.L. Lambert, south by land of Henry Baker, and west by land of J. Simpson [as in text, may be typo for I. Simpson].

Simpson was not found in Liberty County in the 1920 census, when he would have been about 80 years old. No death records were found; however, it seems likely that he had passed by then.

Emily Simpson’s Maiden Name

Emily and Isaac Simpson had children in 1870 whose birth predated their emancipation so it seems unlikely that Emily had a formal, registered maiden name. However, when Isaac’s and Emily’s son Edward died in 1928, his death certificate listed his mother’s maiden name as Emily Mallard. The informant was his wife, Sarah J. Simpson. Death certificates were found for two of their other children, Violet Simpson Smith and Harriet “Hattie” Simpson Smith; both listed Emily’s maiden name as unknown.

Emily was found listed with the middle initial M in the 1910 census, and in the 1900 census Scipio Mallard, listed as Isaac Simpson’s brother-in-law, was living with them. Most interestingly, in the 1890 Liberty County tax digest, she was also listed as Emily M. Simpson, and she was paying tax on 25 acres of land worth $40. Isaac Simpson was listed in the same tax digest but only for paying the poll tax. It appears that for some reason the land was in her name at this time.

Slavery

Was Isaac Simpson’s slaveowner William S. Baker or John L. Mallard? The Southern Claims Commission testimony makes both claims. In the earliest testimony, both Isaac Simpson and his witness Henry Brown testified that the property was taken from William S. Baker’s plantation and that he was Simpson’s owner. However, when the Special Agent re-interviewed Simpson, he said that his owner was John L. Mallard and that he was living there at the time of the raid. He noted that Baker and Mallard were brothers. Lyman B. Mallard also testified that his father, who was John L. Mallard, had owned Simpson. Agent Avery said in his report that William A. Golding had said that Simpson and Jacob Quarterman “used to belong to the same man – W.S. Baker.”

How to resolve the contradictions? John Lazarus Mallard and William Samuel Baker were half-brothers. Rebecca Eliza Burnley married first Thomas Baker, then when he died, she married Thomas Mallard in 1811. When researching slavery, we always want to look for probate records for slaveowners who died before the end of the Civil War, as these may provide clues to where the enslaved person came from. In this case, we have:

Rebecca Burnley Baker Mallard (died May 1861) (click to see estate inventory)

Thomas Mallard (died July 1861)
Will (click to see will)
Inventory (click to see inventory)

William S. Baker (1862) (click to see inventory)

John L. Mallard lived until 1876, so no need to look for his probate records.

In these probate records, we will look for enslaved men named Isaac and Henry (named in a deed record as Isaac’s brother) and an enslaved woman named Emily (Isaac’s wife), as well as, possibly, Isaac’s daughter Violet and son Edward, both born before 1861.

Rebecca Baker Mallard’s March 1862 estate inventory and division had 19 enslaved people named, with nine heirs, and was dated after both she and Thomas Mallard had died. There were a Henry, valued at $750, and an Isaac, valued at $400, on the list. Henry was distributed to Mallard’s son Robert Quarterman Mallard, and Isaac to Mrs. Harriet N. Bacon. We cannot be sure this was the Henry and Isaac we are looking for, but it is interesting that they were listed next to each other.

Thomas Mallard made his will in 1856. He left specific named enslaved people to his children, not including any of the names we are looking for. He specified that the rest of his estate, including enslaved people not named, were to be divided among his wife Rebecca and his children with her. He named his stepson William S. Baker as an executor and a friend, but he was not an heir.

Thomas Mallard’s October 1861 estate inventory and division included 125 enslaved persons with a total value of $55,025. There is an Isaac in this list but he was listed as being 14 years old, which does not match Isaac Simpson’s 1840-ish birth year.

William S. Baker’s November 1862 estate inventory also did not include any of the names being researched, which is odd considering that Isaac’s brother Henry did take the surname Baker upon Emancipation.

The 1756-1867 records of the Midway Congregational Church, which had both white and black members, were checked. Thomas Mallard was a member, and there was an Isaac who belonged to him who was listed in 1841, but he was an adult at that time, so was not Isaac Simpson.

Thus, based on probate records, unfortunately it is not possible to be certain that Henry and Isaac were the ones mentioned in Rebecca Mallard’s estate inventory, since they were not distributed to John L. Mallard. However, given the deaths in quick succession of Rebecca and Thomas Mallard, and the upheaval of the Civil War, it is certainly possible that this is them, and that they wound up with John L. Mallard.

Why did Isaac take the surname Simpson after Emancipation, especially given that his brother Henry took the Baker surname? While the Southern Claims Commission record did not seem to hold any clues to the answer, an intriguing possibility was found during the research. Liberty County families – both black and white – ran deep into Georgia’s history, and it was not uncommon for newly freed people to adopt a surname of an early enslaver of their family. In this case, a 1772 will was discovered for William Simpson of St. Johns Parish, which became part of Liberty County after the Revolutionary War. Simpson left his estate to his wife Elizabeth Simpson, and in case she should die before him, to her son Thomas Burnley. It may be remembered that Thomas Mallard’s wife Rebecca’s maiden name was Burnley. Simpson’s will named nine enslaved people. This possible link between William Simpson and Rebecca Mallard is worth investigating further.

Citations:

1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 181, p. 47, dwelling #450, family #450, enumerated on November 29, 1870, by W.S. Norman, Isaac Simpson household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/171/2020).

1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Disctrict 15, enumeration district 67, p. 83, dwelling #894, family #901, Isaac Simpson household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/17/2020).

1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 80, sheet #2, dwelling #24, family #28, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/17/2020).

1910 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, Thebes, enumeration district 114, p. 4, house #73, dwelling #100, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/17/2020).

Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. X 1887-1890,” p. 505-6, W.W. Winn, agent for Rev. T.S. Winn, to Isaac Simpson; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. X 1887-1890” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #264-5, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R915-K?i=263&cat=292358, accessed 11/16/2020)

Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. U 1884-1885,” p. 493-4, Isaac Simpson to Robert Q. Cassels; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. T-U 1882-1885” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #529-30, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R9CH-2?i=528&cat=292358, accessed 11/16/2020)

1895-6 Isaac Simpson court case: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9QM-JYGD?cc=1999178&wc=9SBN-827%3A267679901%2C267998301 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Estates 1775-1892 Shumatt, William-Stevens, Joseph > image 101 of 1207.

Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AD 1898-1901,” p. 509, Mary E. Jones to Edward W. Simpson; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AC-AD 1896-1901” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #608, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5S7T-3?i=607&cat=292358, accessed 11/16/2020)

Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AM 1912-1913,” p. 396, Isaac Simpson to Southern Timber Company; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AM-AN 1912-1915” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #243, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RPTM?i=242&cat=292358, accessed 11/16/2020)

Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AN 1913-1915,” p. 10-11, Isaac Simpson to Lydia Walthour; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AM-AN 1912-1915” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #378, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RBWY?i=377&cat=292358, accessed 11/16/2020)

Rebecca Mallard’s 1862 estate inventory: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893T-XT6J?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 285 of 703.

Thomas Mallard’s 1856 will: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-993T-XT63?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 265 of 703.

Thomas Mallard’s 1861 estate inventory: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93T-XYB3?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 266 of 703; county probate courthouses, Georgia. [See this link for a transcription and analysis: https://theyhadnames.net/2018/07/08/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-thomas-mallard/]

William S. Baker’s 1862 estate inventory: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93T-XY2Z?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 292 of 703.

William Simpson’s 1772 will: Source: “Wills, Colony of Georgia, RG 49-1-2, Georgia Archives”, Colonial Estate Records, held by Georgia Archives Virtual Vault; accessed online at: https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cw/id/1294/rec/247.

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): Simpson, Isaac
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $171
Total Amount Allowed: $92
Nature of Claim: Army Supplies
Claimant living in: Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Riceboro, on plantation of L.J. Mallard Eqr
Claim #: 21401
Secondary Claim #: 55067
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-02-26
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-11-15
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay Jr, Savannah, Ga; B. McAllister Jr, Associate Attorney, Washington, D.C.
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: Midway Church
Date property removed: 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Howard’s Corps commanded by Generals Kilpatrick & Howard
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]:
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro, Georgia

Witnesses to be Called:

Henry Bacon, Liberty County [did not testify]

Shadrack Walthour, Liberty County [did not testify]

Pulaski Baker, Liberty County [did not testify]

Henry Brown, Liberty County

Items Claimed

Item #	Description	Amt Claimed	Amt Allowed	Amt Disallowed
1	3 cows	60	45	15
2	4 hogs	20	20	0
3	20 bush[els] corn	30	6	24
4	25 rice (bush[els])	50	10	40
5	11 potatoes (bush[els])	11	11	0
	TOTAL	171	92	79

Transcription

Remarks: Claims was a slave during the war. He owned some property which was taken by the union army according to the evidence be for use. He was industrious and thrifty and has accumulated property since the war. White men who testified say that he is truthful and of good character.

We allow $92.

A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferriss } Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims

Testimony of Claimant

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Isaac Simpson 39 years W S Baker plantation Liberty Co 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?

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 My Father gave me some and some I got 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?

W S Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga

68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?

[Question 69 only asked of women]

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 after war Farming Before freedom Before the war, Father gave me some and got some by hard labor William S Baker Liberty County Ga he is dead not witness dead no no no no no one else interested in this claim

[Question 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 Saw it taken 3 Head Cows 4 Head Hogs 11 Bushels of Potatoes 25 Bushels Rice 20 Bushels Corn

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?

Some at night Some 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.
None

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 to ask the Guns looked so powerful

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 in Camp not far off

78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.

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.

Cows were at William S Bakers plantation 3 Head worth $20.00 dollars a head was taken December 20th 1864 Howards Brigade Cows were butchered and carried off on Horses to camp About ten men at different times About 6 or 7 Horses About 2 or 3 hours to Camp No officer present : Said nothing made me help carry it to camp think officers told men to take them because carried to camp I saw them cooking and eating it.

The Hogs were two Barrows and one Sow W S Bakers plantation Liberty County 4 Head Howards Brigade were butchered carried off in Sacks on Horseback About ten men about 2 hours to Camp at Midway Church No officer present Said they wanted them for Army I saw the men cook and eat it camp

The Corn was Harvested and Housed White Corn at W S Baker plantation Liberty County 20 Bushels measured it worth $1.50 dollars pr [per] bushel December 20th 1864 Howards Brigade carried off in Sacks on Horse ten men 6 or 7 Horses about one hour to Camp No officer present Said they had to have it to feed their Horses I saw it carried to camp and fed to their Stock

Rice was Harvested and threshed W S Bakers plantation liberty County 25 bushels measured Gold Rice worth two dollars pr [per] bushel taken 20th December 1864 Howards Brigade was carried off in Sacks on Horse ten men 7 or 8 Horses about one hour to Camp No officer present I saw it carried to Camp and fed to Stock

The Potatoes were Banked W S Baker plantation Liberty County 11 Bushels measured by me worth one dollar pr [per] Bushel December 20th 1864 Howards Brigade carried off in Sacks to Camp ten men 7 or 8 Horses No officer present about one hour to Camp Saw them using them in camp

Cross questions by Claimants Atty

Question 1 Have you a young Master or Mistress now living?

Witness answers I have but they were too young to know anything about it

Question 2 Do you know any white person who can prove your claim?

Witness answers I do not

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 5th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

[signed] Isaac Simpson [signed by mark]

Testimony of Witness (Henry H. Brown)

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Henry H Brown 32 years Liberty County 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?

not claimant not related to Claimant

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Isaac Simpson

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?

in same plantation

55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?

together 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.

Yes caused by Shooting of Guns

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.

often talked about getting his freedom

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.

59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.

never heard any thing

60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.

He was a Union Man Heard him say so many times Ceasar [alt: Caesar] and Pompey Houston

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 Know they will

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?

Yes he did told me so

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.

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?

I do from his conversation that he expected to be free

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.

I know of none

72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.

I was present and Saw it taken 2 Cows 2 Barrows 25 bushels Rice 20 Bushels Corn 11 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 day openly

none because he thought he was aiding the Union cause

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.

Saw 2 Cows W S Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Head worth about 25 dollars a Head December 20th 1864 Howards Brigade Shot cows and butchered them carried them on Horse to camp officers present knew by the Stripe about 2 or 3 hours to camp Saw them carry it to camp and saw them cook it

The Hogs were Bacon Hogs W S Bakers plantation Liberty County 2 Head worth about ten dollars a Head December 22 1864 Howards Brigade Killed them with axe carried off on horse about 15 men and Horses no wagon about 2 Hours to Camp no officers present Saw them eating it in camp

The Corn was [word] and shelled W S Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Bushels saw it measured worth $1.50 pr [per] bushel December 20th 1864 Howards Brigade carried off in sacks on Horse about 2 hours to Camp 15 or 20 men and Horses no wagons 1 Sargeant present Heard them call him a Sergeant Said they wanted Corn to feed their Horses about 2 hours to camp I heard Sargeant tell them to take it

The Potatoes were in Bank W S Bakers plantation Liberty County 11 Bushels Saw them measured worth 75 cts [cents] or 1.00 dollar for bushel December 20 1864 Howards Brigade Tore Bank down put potatoes in Sacks carried them on Horse to camp 15 or 20 Men and Horses about ½ hour to camp No officer present Saw them carry them and eat them in Camp

Cross by Claimant’s Atty:

Is the Claimants old Master and Mistress living?

Witness answers no

Question 2 Has he a young Master or Mistress living?

Witness answers yes

Question 3 Would their testimony benefit Claimant?

Witness answers No

Question 4 How do you know it would not?

Witness answers They were too young at time property was taken not more than 4 or 5 years old

Question 5 Do you know of any other white person that could benefit him?

Witness answers No

Question 6 Do you know that this property was property of Claimant?

Witness answers Yes

Question 7 How do you know the quantity of Rice Corn and Potatoes taken?

Witness answers I saw it measured with my own eyes

Question 8 How did Claimant come in possession of these Cows

Witness answers His Father gave them to him
Question 9 Did you see his Father give him this property

Witness answers I did

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 5th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

[signed] Henry H. Brown [signed by mark]

Testimony of Witness (Lyman B. Mallard)

[NOTE: Testimony taken at #3 Atlantic and Gulf Railroad stop on February 21, 1878.]

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Lyman B Mallard age 22 years Liberty Co 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?

Not related to Claimant and not interested in this claim

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Isaac Simpson

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 same place he belonged to my Father (deceased)

55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?

Every day

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.

Don’t know was too young

61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?

Don’t know

62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?

Took no part on either side

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.

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?

65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.

None only that I suppose he was like the rest of the Col [colored] People all Union

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.

Saw none of his property taken but know he owned property during and previous to the war by my Fathers consent

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 21st Feby [February] 1878
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

Testimony of Claimant

Testimony of Isaac Simpson, colored, taken under oath at Cross Roads Church, Liberty County, Ga. June 8th, 1878.

Please repeat this oath:

I Isaac Simpson, do solemnly swear that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to all matters whereof I may be questioned so help me God.

Who made out your claim?

Mr Cay I don’t know what pay I am to give him. Mr Way took the testimony I paid Mr Way $2.66. I don’t think I owe him more money

Where were you living when the raid came?

At John L Mallard.

What kinds of property did you have when the raid came?

Cattle and hogs. Nothing else but rice and corn and potatoes.

How many cattle did you have?

Three head of milking Cows. No, sir my wife did not stay with me. My mother died, and my brothers and sister [NOTE: the word “sister” was at the end of the line and not clear if it was plural or not]. None of them have a claim. Mother milked these cows. They were not mothers cows. I got them from the man I belonged to for some fattening hogs. I bought only one of him before the war, for a commence. They were all giving milk. They had calves. The Yankees ‘stroyed [destroyed] them. Shot them. Then they carried them to camp. The cows were killed. They carried them to camp. It was not more than a mile to the camp at Midway Church.

How many hogs?

About six head. Some in pen. I think I had about 3 barrows in the pen, and about three outside. I think I remember what I put in the claim I think I am right now.

How much corn did you have?

I don’t exactly member [remember] about the corn. About six bushels I think.

How much rice?

I don’t exactly member [remember] that, About 11 bushels of rice.

How many potatoes?

About same number of potatoes. I had the potatoes in a bank. I had used a little of them. The Yankees took that much, what I telling you about.

Is that all?

Yes, sir. That as I can remember. That is all right.

Isaac Simpson

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

Who did you live with?

On John L. Mallard’s plantation. I belonged to him. W S Baker and John L Mallard were brothers.

Special Agent’s Report

This claimant appears very well, and seems to be honest. I took the testimony of W. A. Golding in regard to all the claimants that he said he knew anything about. In regard to claimant he says: “He and Jacob Quarterman used to belong to the same man – W. S. Baker. Simpson was a young man during the war, and he could not claim much. He is an industrious fellow, and has bought himself a house since freedom. His master was kind to him, and allowed him to raise what he could. He did not own a horse. I don’t know about cows.”

Crawford James knew him personally, and don’t know of his having any property. My impression is the property belonged to the family, and claimant put all in his claim. He could not have raised 20 bushels of corn on less than three acres of Liberty County land, considering the cultivation he would have had to give it. 25 bushels of rice would be a good big crop for an acre. Very few owners allowed their slaves any such an amount of land. I don’t think there is a cow in Liberty County worth $20, nor a hog of any kind worth $5. The stock of all kinds, is very small – not more than half as large as the same breed of stock anywhere else that I am acquainted – Except the pine woods of Mississippi. The claimant bears a good reputation for industry and trustworthiness. Every one with whom I conversed spoke well of him. I was not at his house.

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

Hon. [Honorable] Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims
Washington, D. C.

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Requisition #4900, dated July 12, 1880, was made out for Isaac Simpson for $92 for “claims of loyal citizens for supplies furnished during the rebellion.” Claim #55067, sett. No. 8573, reported July 1, 1880, returned July 3, 1880.

—————————-

Draft for $92 made payable to R. McAllister, Washington, D.C. Dated July 3 at Treasury Department Second Comptroller’s Office, June 30, 1880 at the Treasury Department Third Auditor’s Office.

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[Transcript of letter in case file]

Washington, D.C.
June 21, 1881

In the matter of
Isaac Simpson
[word]
No. 21401

$92

I respectfully request that this case be stated to my care by virtue of a “General Power of Association” filed by me Aug 27/77 in the office of the Commrs of Claims from Raymond Cay Jr atty of record covering this and 29 other cases to myself.

R. McAllister Jr
Associate Atty

—————————–

[Transcript of letter in case file]

Treasury Department
Office of the Secretary

Washington, D.C. June 29, 1880

Hon. E. W. Keightley
Third Auditor

Sir:

The following entries appear in the records of the Commissioners of Claims in the case of Isaac Simpson of Ga No. 21.401:

Mar. 3, 1873 Petition filed attorney Raymond Cay Jr
Aug 27, 1877 Associate Attyship filed by R. McAllister Jr.
Nov 14, 1877 Depositions received
Nov 15, 1877 Submitted
Nov 8, 1878 Additional testimony received.

Respectfully

? T. Power
Chief Clerk

They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Isaac Simpson – Southern Claims Commission

Claim Summary

More about the Claimant

Citations:

About the Southern Claims Commission

About This Transcription

The Claim: Summary & Transcription

Summary

Transcription

Testimony of Claimant

Testimony of Witness (Henry H. Brown)

Testimony of Witness (Lyman B. Mallard)

Testimony of Claimant

Special Agent’s Report

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