Summary of Claim
Edwin Williams, formerly enslaved by John LeConte at the Woodland Plantation in Liberty County, filed a claim with the U.S. Southern Claims Commission in 1877, when he was 48, for property taken by U.S. soldiers during the Civil War. The Commission appears to have misunderstood the poor recording of his testimony to mean that he was a free man prior to the war, but disallowed his claim because he did not have witnesses.
About the Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commission 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. The “They Had Names” project is transcribing all the Liberty County claims that are still legible. Below is one of the transcripts. The claimants’ lives are also being researched, and there is a list of all the Liberty County claimants with links to the transcripts that have been completed, some of which have also been researched.
Transcript of
Southern Claims Commission Petition By
Edwin Williams
Claim transcribed by: Cathy Dillon
Find the digitized original of this claim file at this Ancestry.com link.
Summary
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Williams, Edwin
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $310.50
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army in 1864
Claimant living in: Mount Hope, Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Woodland Plantation, Liberty County
Claim #: 20699
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-09-14
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-10-11; 1878-02-21
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C.; Gilmore & Co, Washington, D.C.
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: the Camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: No. 2 A & G Rail Road
Items Claimed
Item # | Description | Amt Claimed |
1 | One bay mare | 130 |
2 | 5 head of cows & calves | 100 |
3 | A large bacon hog 150 lbs | 18 |
4 | 25 head of fowls | 7 |
5 | 10 head of ducks | 5 |
6 | 2 heavy quilts | 6 |
7 | 3 blankets | 9 |
8 | 15 bushels of rough rice | 22.50 |
9 | 1 ½ bushels of clean rice | 6 |
TOTAL | 310.50 |
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a free colored man. He swears to the ownership and taking of the property but is not confirmed by witnesses and we must decline to make an allowance simply on his unsupported statement.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony taken at #3 A & G R.R with R.Q. Cassels acting as counsel. The Commissioners appear to have misunderstood the way the answer to question 70 was transcribed to mean that Williams was a free man, rather than enslaved. ]
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Edwin Williams 48 years Liberty County Ga all my life Carpenter
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 bought it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
from John LeConte’s plantation Liberty County Ga 2000 acres 150 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Question 69 only asked of women]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
Slave – at end of war Carpenter before was free before the war bought it bought it from Lancaster LeConte worked for it John LeConte California he is living he is not witness for me because out of state of Ga no no no no no one
[Question 71 not applicable]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was present I saw it taken 1 Bay Mare 5 Cows and Calves 1 Hog 25 Fowls 10 Ducks 2 Heavy Quilts 3 Blankets 15 Bushels Rice rough 1 ½ bush [bushel] clean Rice
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
in daytime openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
no complaint was made
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 because I did not know any better at time
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 2 miles
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was Bay color John LeContes plantation Liberty County 1 Mare worth $130 00 dollars December 15th 1864 Kilpatrick Cavalry Took her out the Stable rode her off 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to Camp no officers present said their horses were worn out and they had to have it don’t know whether officers told them or not never saw them use it in camp
5 Cows and Calves John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 5 Cows worth about 22 dollars a head 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry drove them off 100 men on horse 2 or 3 hours to Camp no officer present said they wanted them for the Army don’t know whether officers told them to take them or not never saw them afterwards
The Hog was fat John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 1 Hog worth $15 or 16 dollars December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry was already killed 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp no officers present said they were hungry and had to have it don’t know if officers told them to take or not never saw it afterwards
Fowls were grown John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 25 head worth 25 or 30 cts [cents] pr [per] head December 15th or 16th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Killed some and carried balance off 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp no officer present said they had to eat don’t know if officers told them to take them never saw them again
The Ducks were on John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 10 Ducks worth 50 or 60 cts [cents] a head December 16th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Killed some and carried them all to camp 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp Said they wanted them to eat don’t know if officers told them to take them
The Quilts were new at John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Quilts worth 3 dollars a piece December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry carried them off with rice in it 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp Said they wanted them to carry Rice in no officer present don’t know if officers told them to take them
The Blankets were most new John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 3 Blankets worth 3 dollars a piece December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry carried them off in wagon 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp Said nothing no officers present don’t know if officers told them to take them
Rough Rice was Harvested and housed John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 15 Bushels worth $1.50 pr [per] Bushel December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry carried it off in Quilts and Blankets 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp Said nothing no officers present don’t know if officers told them take it
The clean Rice was at John LeContes plantation Liberty County Ga 1 ½ bushels worth $6.00 dollars December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry carried it off in Blankets 100 men on horse 3 wagons 2 or 3 hours to camp Said nothing no officers present don’t know if officers told men to take it
[signed] Edwin Williams [signed by mark]
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 11th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Gideon B. Dean) [taken on February 21, 1878]
Additional Evidence of Edwin Williams Col. Liberty County Ga on claim 20699
Gideon B. Dean third witness for 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?
Gideon B Dean aged 37 years McIntosh 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
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Edwin Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All my life my Father had control of him all his life in Liberty County
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
About 3 miles off
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Frequently
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.
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.
All knew him to be Union I knew because I was with him all the time
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?
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 and did own property before and during the war
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 21st Feby [February] 1878
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Gideon B. Dean
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.
