Jupiter James – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The testimony of the claimant is not taken in the case & no reason is given why it was not taken.

The testimony of Wm. James, the brother of the claimant & his agent, and of Sharper Way his cousin is all the evidence in the case. All that is shown as to the claimant’s ownership of the property is – “Jupiter James owned it – he worked for it” – nothing more. What means of knowledge the witnesses had as to how clm’t acquired the property is not shown. Such proof of ownership of property by a slave, who was a slave when it was taken is not suff’t [sufficient]. Claim rejected.

A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims

[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony taken at #3 A & G Rail Road (Atlantic & Gulf) with R.Q. Cassels acting as claimant’s agent’s counsel]

Testimony of Claimant (William James, Agent for Jupiter James)

[Testimony taken at #3 A & G Railroad, with R.Q. Cassels acting as counsel.]

Testimony of William James Agt for Jupiter James who is in the Penitentiary Liberty County Ga on claim 20661

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

William James 64 years Liberty County all my life Farmer

2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?

I am Brother to claimant

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Jupiter James

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

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

saw him every day

56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.

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 it because we were together 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?

Tony Golding Gus Law and Brister Fleming Know they would

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

I was claimant knew it by my conduct

63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.

no

64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?

no

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

no

The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:

66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?

Jupiter James worked for it

67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?

from plantation Liberty County 1000 acres 500 acres cultivated

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

no

[Questions 69-71 not applicable]

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 I did 5 Cows 10 Hogs 20 Bush [Bushel] Rice 16 Fowls

73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?

In 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 made to officers

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 was afraid

76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?

no no no no

77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?

Troops were in camp

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

79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.

The Cows were Milch Cows S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 5 Head counted them worth 20 a head December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Drove them off to Camp 40 Men and Horses 3 Wagons about all day to camp 2 officers present know by dress Said nothing Believe officers ordered them taken because they were present

The Hogs were Stock Hogs S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 10 Head counted them worth 5 dollars a head December 15 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed Hogs put them in Wagon 40 Men and Horses 3 Wagons all day to camp 2 officers present knew by stripes Said nothing Believe officers ordered them taken because they were present

The Rice was threshed S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Bushels measured worth 1.25 dollars per bushel December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army put Rice in wagon 40 Men and Horses 3 Wagons all day to camp 2 officers present knew by dress Said nothing Believe officers ordered because they were present

The Fowls were grown S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 16 Fowls counted them worth 50 cts [cents] ahead December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and put them in wagon 40 men and Horses 3 wagons all day to camp 2 officers present Knew by dress Said nothing Believe officers ordered them taken because they were present

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 9th Nov 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

[signed] William James [signed by mark]

Testimony of Witness (Sharper Way)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Sharper Way 40 years Liberty County all my life Farmer

2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?

Cousin to Claimant

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Jupiter James

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

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

saw him every day

56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.

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.

Every body knew he was a union man I knew because I lived with him and knew how he felt about it

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?

Tony Golding Gus Law Brister Fleming Know they would

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

I was Claimant knew it by my conduct

63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.

no

64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
no

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

no

The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:

66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?

Jupiter James worked for it

67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?

from Plantation Liberty County Ga 1000 acres 400 cultivated

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

no

[Questions 69-71 not applicable]

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

I was I did 5 Cows 10 Hogs 20 Bushels Rice 16 Fowls

73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?

In day time openly

74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.

no complaint 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.

none were afraid to ask

76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?

no no no no

77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?

Troops were in camp

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

79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.

The Cows were Milch Cows S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 5 Head counted them worth 20 dollars a head December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army drove them off to camp 40 Men and Horses 2 Wagons all day to camp 2 officers present Know by dress said nothing Believe officers ordered it because they were present

The Hogs were Stock Hogs S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 10 Head counted them worth 7 or 8 dollars a head December 15 1864 Kilpatricks army Killed Hogs and put them in wagon 40 Men and Horses 2 Wagons all day to Camp 2 officers present Knew by dress said nothing Believe officers ordered them taken because they were present

The Rice threshed S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 20 Bushels saw it measured worth 1 25 pr [per] bushel December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army carried Rice off in wagon 40 men and Horses 2 Wagons all day to camp 2 officers present knew by dress Said nothing Believe officers ordered it taken because they were present

The Fowls were grown S M Varnedoes plantation Liberty County Ga 16 Head counted them worth 50 cts [cents] a head December 15th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught Fowls & carried them off in wagon 40 men and Horses 2 Wagons all day to camp 2 officers present Knew by dress Said nothing Believe officers ordered them taken because they were present

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

[signed] Sharper Way [signed by mark]