Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore Cole
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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. 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): Brown, Frances
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $145
Total Amount Allowed: $77
Nature of Claim: Stores Taken by Genrl Sherman’s Army
Claimant living in: Oakland Farm, Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Oakland Farm, near No 3 Albany & G R.R, Liberty County
Claim #: 20638
Secondary Claim #:
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-07-03
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-08-01
Claimant’s Attorney: James M. Simms [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co; W.H. Sykes, Savannah
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer
Property Removed to:
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-21
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-12-13
Items Claimed
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Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a slave but was allowed to acquire and own the property for which compensation is claimed. It was taken by Gen Sherman’s Army just before Christmas according to the testimony of claimant and her witnesses. We allowed $77.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferriss } Comrs of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:
My name is Frances Brown, 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 Frances Brown. I was born in Liberty County a slave, and became free when the army came here. I am about 30 years of age. I reside on Oakland plantation in Liberty County Georgia. I farm for a living and 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 first of April 1861 to the 1st June 1865 I resided on Oakland Plantation.
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 to 25 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers “No”
26. Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family, or property on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state when, by whom, and what the threats were?
My master used to give a “big threat” if we were caught talking about the Yankees. They threatened to whip us if we were seen having anything to do with any body who was in favor of the Yankees.
27. Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.
My master never carried his threats into execution.
28. Did you ever contribute anything—any money or property—in aid of the United States Government, or in aid of the Union army or cause? If so, state fully as to the same.
I never had an opportunity to contribute anything. I was a slave and could not do so.
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.
After the Yankees came to my house I cooked and did everything I could for them all the time they staid [sic: stayed].
30 to 39 inclusive to each & every question the 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?”
At the beginning of the war or when I first heard of it I was rejoiced at it. We used to talk about it among ourselves the colored people & all were glad. I was on the Yankee side all the way through.
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 solemnly declare that from the beginning of the war to its end my feelings were all the time with the Union side & that I never did or tried to do any thing against that side & that so far as my means & power & the circumstances of the case permitted I was always ready & willing to aid that side.
[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 I was a slave & became free when the Union Army came here. After our Freedom I kept right on farming. I raised the articles specified in my petition. I first worked by task & raised corn etc and the lady I was named after made me a present of a piglet & I raised & sold fowls & bought one sow pig. I then raised pigs from that sow. I couldn’t remember how long it was I raised & sold in this way; it was when I was a little young girl I began. I kept on in this way until the Army came here. Wm. G. Martin was my former master. I am not now in his employ. I do not live on his land. I do not live on land purchased of him. I am not indebted to my old master. No one has any interest in this claim besides myself. It all belongs to me.
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 this property was taken from me.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw all this property taken.
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 said when they first came up that they wanted forage. When they first came I made them a present of peas & [2-3 words] for their horses & then they went on & helped themselves to all the property.
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 Oakland plantation. It was taken in ?Dec? I know because it was not [word] Christmas but I didn’t remember the year. It was taken by Gen. Kilpatrick’s soldiers. The soldiers [several words] & came to my house first. They were a part of 2 days taking the property.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Caesar Jones, Joe James, ? Linda ? Jones & myself were there at the taking of my 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?
I did not see any officers there with the soldiers at the taking. I did not hear [2-3 words] orders to have the property taken.
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 hogs down & put them in the wagon. They took the corn out of the house & carried it out & put it in the wagon. They put the rice into sacks & put it in the wagon. The rice was in the house. They shot & knocked down the fowls & put them in the wagon. They took the 2 bed quilts & 3 dresses & put rice in them & carried them & put them in the wagon.
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 from my house in wagons.
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 removed this property from the house to the camp at Midway Church. I started to go to the camp but I got scared at so many soldiers & turned back.
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 the use for which this property was taken. They took it to feed the horses. They called for it for the horses & I saw them using it to feed 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 made no complaint to any of the officers on account of such taking.
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 any of them for a receipt or a voucher. I was glad I had it for them to take.
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?
It was taken in the day time.
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 near there when they took this property at Midway Church. Gen’l Kilpatrick’s army were encamped there. They were there 3 weeks, foraging all through the county. The county looked dreadful when they left. I did not know any of the quartermasters or the officers of the army. There had been no battles or skirmishes about there. There was no one here to have any skirmishing with. The rebels had skedaddled.
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?
The condition of this property was good when taken. The rice was in the house & the fowls fat & the corn shelled.
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. I had 8 head of hogs. They were large & middling sized. 5 head were large. I think these would weigh about 100 lbs a piece. I think the other 3 would average about 50 lbs each. The largest ones were I think about 4 or 5 years old. The smallest ones between 3 & 4 years old I think. I raised these hogs myself. They shot these hogs down & took them off in the wagons.
Item no. 2. I had 12 bus[hels] of shelled corn measured. They took it away in wagons. I had 2 tasks & a half of corn planted.
Item no. 3. I had 15 bus[hels] of rough rice. It was measured. This corn & rice was of my own raising. I had 1 ½ tasks planted in rice & it was all taken away in wagons.
Item no. 4. I had 15 head of fowls. They shot them & [word] them & [then [word] them down & killed them then they tied them up & flung them in the wagon.
Item no. 5. I had 2 quilts taken from me. I had 3 dresses taken. They were fine dresses. They had not sacks enough to take the rice so they tied up the dresses & put the rice in them. This property all belonged to me. I got it by my own industry & hard work. The soldiers did not pay me for any part of this property. This is the first and only claim I have [3-4 words] for it.
[Signed] Frances Brown [signed by mark]
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Caesar Jones)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
My name is Cesar Jones. I was born on Oakland Plantation Liberty Co Ga, a slave; Became free when the Army came here in the year 1864. My master was [1-2 words too faded[ Bill G. Martin. I am 22 years old. I live at Jones plantation now. [short sentence too faded] I know Frances Brown the claimant in this case. I am not related to her. I have no beneficial interest in her claim. I have known her as long as I have known any body. She was a good union woman all through the war. (Oh yes Sir she was a union.)
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 this property was taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw it all taken.
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 all came up & said good evening & they were hungry & they wanted food. They went ahead then & took the property.
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?
The property was taken at claimant’s house on Oakland plantation in Dec month 1864 by Kilpatrick’s company. I couldn’t tell how many soldiers there were there, a great many of them; they didn’t take it all in one day, they were parts of 2 days taking it.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Joseph James & myself & the claimant & Brutus Reese & Linda Jones were there 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 that I know of. I couldn’t tell the officers from the soldiers [word] I did not see or hear anyone give orders to take the property.
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 hogs were right in the yard & they came in there & killed them & put them in the [word] wagon & carried them off the place. The corn was right in the room & the rice too & the [2 words] & put them in the wagons & [word] up the rice in the dresses because they didn’t have sacks enough. They caught the fowls & killed some & some they took off alive.
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 the property in a large wagon & some of the property they carried [word] on horse back.
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 removed this property in the direction of Midway & I heard they camped there so I think they took it there but I didn’t go with them to camp.
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 suppose they took this property for the use of the horses & themselves. I didn’t see them [word] any of it for themselves, but I saw them feed the grain some of it to their horses that is all I saw used.
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 anyone make any complaint to the officers either the claimant or anyone else for her.
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 her ask for any voucher or receipt for the property.
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 in the day time.
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?
When they took this property people said that the army were encamped at Midway. I didn’t know it myself because I did not go there it was Kilpatrick’s Army there. I think they staid there some 3 weeks. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the other officers [3 words].
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 fine 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 – She had 8 head of hogs. I think about half of them were large & that those would weigh about 100 lbs a piece. These others were about one half [word] & I think they would weigh about half [2 words], 40 or 50 lbs a piece. They killed some of these & carried some away alive by [word] them.
Item No 2 – She had about 25 bus[hels] of corn in the ear, that they calculated would make about 12 bus[hels] of shelled corn. I saw them measure the ears. I saw her measure it after she [3-4 words] & then it was in ? ears ?. They took it & put it in the wagons.
Item No 3 – About 10 bus[hels] of rough rice. I saw it measured after they had done thrashing it. They put it in the wagons.
Item No 4 – She had 15 head of fowls. They killed some & took some away alive.
Item No 5 – [Description of how clothing and quilts were used to carry away the property – not transcribed – too many words faded]
This property all belonged to the claimant. I know because ever since I had sense to know she fed & took care of it & no one else claimed it & I supposed it all belonged to her. I saw the soldiers take all this property away with them. The claimant was a good farmer all the [rest too faded].
Caesar Jones
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Joseph James)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
My name is Joseph James. I was born in Liberty Co Ga as Col Quarterman’s slave & became free when the army came here in Dec. My master was Col. Joseph Quarterman. I am 47 years old. I reside now on ? Arcadia? Plantation Liberty Co Ga. I am a ?regular? Farmer. I know the claimant Frances Brown. I am not related to her. I have no beneficial interest in her claim. I have known her for some 9 or 10 years. [Last sentence too faded].
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 this property was taken from her by the soldiers.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the property [2-3 words].
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 said they wanted the things to eat & to feed the horses. They went in then & took what they wanted.
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 from claimant’s house on Oakland Plantation in Dec. do not remember the year but [rest of this section too faded to put together].
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Myself & wife & [name – possibly Harry Porter], Cesar Jones, Linda Jones, & the claimant were there 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?
I saw one officer there. I think a ? lieut?. He belonged to Kilpatrick’s company. He ordered the soldiers to take the property & said he would [rest of section too faded].
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.
This property was taken in this way. They shot those hogs & took them off in the wagons. She raised these hogs [faded]. They went into the house & took the corn & rice, put them into bags & into the wagons. The fowls they killed & put them in the wagons. They went into the house, took the [rest too faded].
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 from there in wagons.
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 removed it to Midway Church camp. I know because I [rest too faded].
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 said they wanted the rice & corn to feed the horses& the poultry & hogs they wanted to eat themselves. They [word] some of the rice there [rest of sentence too faded]. I saw them feed out some of the rice & corn there.
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 claimant make any complaint to anyone on account of the taking of this 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 hear her ask anyone for a receipt or voucher.
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 in the day time & in the mornings.
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?
When they took this property, the army was encamped in that neighborhood at Midway Church 4 miles from Oakland. It was Gen. Kilpatrick’s army encamped there. There had been no battles nor skirmishes there. They could find no one to fight with [3-4 words] the rebels. They staid there in camp a little over 3 weeks. They were foraging about & looking to see if they could find any of the rebels about. They brought to the camp all they could get horses & hogs & corn & rice & fowls & all such things. They took it all to camp & put it in the hands of the quartermaster or some officer & then they [word] it. I did not know any of the quartermasters or other officers of the army.
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 all in [faded] & the poultry & the rice & corn had been gathered & put away.
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 – She had [faded] head of hogs [word] large ones. 4 or 5 large & fat & in good order. The large ones 3 of them would weigh about 100 lbs a piece & 2 of them 80 or 90 lbs apiece. The other 3 from 30 ro 40 lbs a piece. These hogs were all of her own raising. She bought the mother of them from a [word] & raised from her. I saw them kill these hogs put them into the wagons & start off toward the camp.
Item No 2 – 12 bus[hels] of corn. It was in the ear just before the raid came. She had it threshed out. It was measured & in a box. They put it in bags & when they hadn’t bags enough they took 3 or 4 of her [several words] together & made a bag of them.
Item No 3 – About 12 bus[hels] of rough rice. It was measured. They took it [several words] the corn.
Item No 4 – She had about 15 head of fowls not all full grown but some were grown & some old fowls, all full size. They killed them with sticks & [rest faded].
Item No 5 – I saw them [word] 2 bed quilts & 3 dresses from her. They put the rice & corn in the dresses & the quilts they folded & took along with them to sleep in.
This property all belonged to the claimant. I saw her have it all & care for it & raise it all & I know it was hers & [word] it. She worked at farm work for her master by the task. Her master worked all of his slaves by the task. She was a hard working industrious woman, very much so, up to today. Her master had ? 16? Working hands on that place of his at Oakland & some up at his other place I don’t know how many. He was a pretty fair master.
Joseph James [signed by mark]
Witness E.E. Adlington
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
[Statement by claimant’s counsel W.H. Sykes that he had no further testimony to present in this case.]
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Claim No. 51813
Sett No. 3717
Frances Brown (Col’d) of Ga
$77
Due her
Out of the appropriation for
“Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies
Furnished during the rebellion”
For amount allowed
By the Southern Claims Commission
Reported: March 19, 1879
Returned: March 25, 1879
Requisition No. 1760 , dated
Apl 3, 1879 , transmitted for
Warrant Apl 8, 1879 .
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The United States
To Frances Brown of Georgia
For the amount allowed her by Act of Congress, Private No. 183
Approved March 3, 1879, entitled “An act making appropriations for the payment of claims reported allowed by the Commissioners of Claims under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871.”
The sum of Seventy-seven dollars
77.00
Payable in care of Gilmore & Co Attys, Washington, D.C.
Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller’s Office
Mar 25, 1879
Treasury Department
Third Auditor’s Office
March 19, 1879
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Gentlemen,
Whom do you recognize as atty in claim No. 20638, Frances Brown of Ga
Horace Austin
Auditor
Gilmore & Co
Chas F. Benjamin, Clerk
Mch 18/79
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State of Georgia
No 20638
Francis Brown allowed $77
We are the attorneys of record in this case, having filed with the Commissioners of Claims a power of attorney from J.M. Simms to Chipman, Hosmer & Co to prosecute all the claims in which he has a power of attorney.
Gilmore & Co
Mch 11, 1879