They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Freedmen’s Bureau: Civil War bounty application by Toney Anderson (1869)

Summary: Bounty application by Toney Anderson of Liberty County, who served in the 22d Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War (1869)

[Cover Sheet forwarded by Bt. Capt. J.W. Hoag USA, Bounty Officer, Savannah, GA]

[Begin Transcript]

Declaration for Arrears of Pay and Bounty

United States of America
Southern Dist. Of Georgia

On this 30[th] day of January 1869, personally appeared before me, a United States Commissioner in and for the Dist and State aforesaid, Toney Anderson of Baker Place, in the county of Liberty, and State of Georgia, who, being duly sworn, declares that his age is 45 years; that he is the same Toney Anderson who was an under cook in Company C commanded by William H. [name*], in the 22d Regiment of Indiana [word*] Infty [typed words “United States Colored” crossed out], who was honorably discharged from the service of the United States at Louisville Kentucky, on or about the 24[th] day of July 1865 by reason of muster out of organization.

He makes this declaration to recover from the United States $100.00 Bounty – 1st installment under Act of July 4, 1864 – and such other allowances as may be his due. And he does further declare that he has not bartered, sold, assigned, transferred, loaned, exchanged, or given away his final discharge papers, or any interest in the pay or bounty provided by any act of Congress; and he hereby appoints William Fowler, Brevet Major, and A.A.G., Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, or his successor in office, of Washington, D.C., as his lawful attorney, and authorizes him to present and prosecute this claim, and to receive and receipt for any orders or moneys that may be issued or paid in satisfaction thereof. My Post-office address is as follows: Toney Anderson – Care Capt. Hoag Savannah Ga

Two witnesses who write their names sign here when declarant signs by mark.
Henry T. McDowell
J. Strickland

Signature of Claimant: Toney Anderson by mark

Also appeared before me Mitchell Johnson and Prophet Gadson of the County of Chatham and State of Georgia, to me well known as credible persons, who, being duly sworn, declare that they have been for six hears acquainted with the above-named Toney Anderson, who was an under cook in Company C, of the 22 Indiana [word**] Infantry, and know that the applicant is the identical person he represents himself to be; that they saw him sign the foregoing declaration; and that they have no interest whatever in this application.

[Mitchell Johnson signed by mark, witnessed by Henry T. McDowell and J. Strickland, and Prophet Gadson signed his own name, spelling his first name as Profit (or Profit).]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of Jan’y 1869, and I hereby certify that the foregoing declaration and affidavit were carefully read and explained to declarant and affiants before signing; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

Amhurst W. [not sure of last name]

[End Transcript]

*The name was difficult to read but could be something like Festers or Falers.
** The word here, which starts with V, was difficult to read but it is likely “volunteer” as the 22d Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered out of service on July 24, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky. It fought in Georgia, which may be where Mr. Anderson joined it.

U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Records, 1865-1878, Records of the Field Offices for the State of Georgia, 1865-1872, M1903; digital images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62309/images/004139869_00323 : accessed 29 Jul 2023], M1903, roll 82 (Affidavits and Papers Relating to Complaints, June 1865-Apr. 1867), images 323-4.