Joseph James – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant was the slave of one Quarterman of Liberty Co. Ga. He was married & his wife lived about half a mile from him on William J. Martin’s plantation. It was from this place the property was taken. The claim has been investigated & the proof is pretty satisfactory that claimant really owned a mare & some hogs, besides other property that was taken by the federals in Dec’r 1864. After the claimant’s testimony was taken in 1875 he died leaving his widow & two children. The widow has again married. Her name is now Peggy Jones. As above allowed we recommend the payment to Peggy Jones of $120.

A.O. Aldis

O. Ferris

J.B. Howell } Comm’r of Claims

[Transcriber’s Note: Much of the original petition is badly faded but most details would have been repeated in the testimony.] 

Testimony of Claimant

[Testimony taken at Riceboro]

Deposition of Joseph James (Col’d)

In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: 

My name is Joseph James, my age 47 years, my residence Arcadia, 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 Joseph James. I was born in Liberty Co Ga 5 miles from Riceboro. I was born a slave, became free when the raid came through here. I been a hard stomped down slave till then. I am about 47 years old. 

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?  

I reside now at Arcadia, now owned by a gang of us who bought it of the owner Charley Jones. I am a regular built farmer. I am the claimant in this case. I lived from the first of April 1861 to the first of June 1865 on Col. Quarterman’s place. I was a farmer then, di dnot change my residence or business during that time. 

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. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you  been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?  

The only oath I took was when I went to register for voting. 

6 to 28 inclusive the claimant to each & every question answer no!

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.

I had no opportunity to do anything for the Union cause until the raid came. My mind was good enough to do it. When Sherman’s Army came in they came right to my house & I had my wife & daughter for 3 days cooking for them & waiting on them & we went & helped them carry things to the camp. 

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 all my sympathies were with the Union & all the time. I didn’t know how I felt about the war till I heard the guns because I didn’t know how it was, but as soon as I knew then I rejoiced. I continued to feel that way till the close of the war & up till today. 

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 till the end of it my sympathies were with the cause of the United States & I never did or attempted to do anything to injure that cause or retard its success, & that I was willing to do all in my power to aid that cause so far as circumstances permitted. 

[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.  

I was a slave at the beginning of the war & became free when the Army came here. After freedom I continued right on farming until now. I had this mare about between 4 & 5 years before the raid came in. I got the money to buy this mare by first raising first fowls & then selling them & buying shoats & raising these & selling them till I got money enough to buy the young filly & I raised her. We worked this way by task, & when we got through our task we, if we were industrious men would work the land our master let us have for ourselves. I have myself worked this way with plough & hoe till the fowls crow for day, by moonlight & firelight. In this way of working at taskwork & at night I got all the property in my claim. My master was Col. Joseph Quarterman. I am not in his employ; he died during the war. I live now on my own land, purchased of Charley Jones 116 acres for which I gave $3.00 an acre. I owe him for this land we bought it on condition, we are to have 3 years to pay for it in at 7 per cent interest. No one except myself & wife has an interest in this claim. 

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 the articles of property specified in my petition were taken. 

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.  

I saw the property 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.] 

When they came there after this property they said nothing but that they wanted the property and must have it not to feel bad I would get pay for it etc etc. They went in and took everything I had did not leave a thing I was as “bare as I came from the Lord.” 

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 wife’s house on William S. Martin’s plantation in Liberty County, I belonged to Joseph Quarterman and lived about half a mile from my wife, the property was all in the possession of my wife when it was taken, the property was taken about Christmas in 1864. I can’t remember the day I am not sure it was 1864. I know it was when the Yankee Army came through. It was taken by the soldiers of Sherman Army or Kilpatrick I don’t know which some were on foot and some on horseback there were thousand of them I can’t tell how many – they were about three days “cleaning up my place.”

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

My wife Peggy James, Caesar Jones, Francis Brown and a plenty of others besides myself and soldiers. 

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 officers there I think a Lieut he said he was, I do not know what regiment he belonged to, he said he belonged to Sherman Army, that is all I know about it I heard him order the soldiers to take the property he said he wanted the property for the use of “Mens & horses.” That was all he said at that time – except we have got our freedom etc. 

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 horse was taken in the yard using my saddle and bridle and riding him off they hitched one of their horses to the wagon using my harness loaded the wagon with corn and drove off, the hogs they killed skinned and carried them off on horses and in wagons the corn was in my dwelling house and they went right in and took all I had, put it into a large army wagon and drove off, the rice was in my house & that was taken and put into sacks and then into wagons, the Poultry they killed in my yard and carried it off, some were cooked for them by my wife. 

8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.  

The property was removed in wagons and on horse and some was “toted” off. 

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?  

The property was removed to Midway Church where the Army was encamped. I did not follow, I know they went there because that was their headquarters, and in the heart of the colored people, the whites had mostly left, I went there after my property was all taken & saw a plenty of all kinds of provisions and horse ?food?. 

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 the property for the use of the army the rice and corn “for to feed the horses” the hogs for their own eating – I saw them using some of the property they made us cook for them for 3 days & I saw them feeding the rice and corn to the horses. I don’t think they wasted any except what was wasted by feeding on the ground. They were to[o] hungry to waste. They got good supplies after them came into our county. 

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 make any complaint I did not think it was any use they did just what they had a mind to do and asked no questions. 

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 for a voucher or receipt I did not know anything about such matters. 

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?  

The property was all taken in the day time commencing about 7 am and knocked off at night they did not go out after property at night. I did not see any of it taken secretly. 

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 the property was taken the army was encamped at Midway Church about 4 miles from my house. It was Sherman Company they went into camp in the morning and came to my house the same day evening I think that was the way of it – they staid there about 3 weeks I think I do not think there had been any battles or skirmishes just before the property was taken. I did not know the quartermasters or any of them or any other officers – not one. 

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 property was all in good condition the hogs were in the “tator” field & around my house the com had been harvested and in the house the rice had been thrashed and in the house every thing was in priem condition 

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: the horse was 7 years old I had her about 4 or 5 years before the army camr through I bought her a young colt and raised her was a good large sorrel mare she was a “bully” good mare I was offered a big price for her several times but always refused to sell my master allowed his slaves to own and raise anything they could after they had completed their tasks.  He never intefered with any of his slaves property . I saw the Soldier vide the mare off 

Item No 2: The Buggy was iron-axeltree on springs had been used about two years it was a second hand buggy & I had just had it put in good repair, it was almost as good as New – the harness was leather second hand in pretty good order they took the harness put it on to one of their horses hitched him to the buggy & drove off 

Item No 3:  one of these saddle was 2nd hand hogskin saddle the other a nearly new leather one I had one bridle.  One of these saddles had been used about a year the other was pretty well worn out. The bridle was a pretty old bridle They took the saddle & put [word] on top of the horse & they put the bridle on the horse & mounted them & rode off using both saddles 

Item No 4:  I had 9 hives of honey. They got some cotton & smoked the bees & got pails & carried it off. I raised it myself. 

Item No 5:  They destroyed about 20 head of my hogs I had had 25 I got 5 of them after they had gone I could not tell how much they would weigh. They were fat & of different sizes  & all been togethe . They shot them down & knocked them down & stuck them & put them on the horses. I raised these hogs. I was an industrious man & allowed to raise. There were others on the same plantation of Oakland had more hogs than I had. 

Item No. 6: I had about 28 bus[hels] of corn in the ear would make 25 bus shelled, that is the way I estimated this. I measured it & averaged it by the wagon load. My wife & I worked about 3 acres of land & we saved our rations & ate rice instead in the winter. I wanted the corn to feed my horse & my hogs & to eat myself. I used to put our rations saved right on the pile of corn. I think it would make more than 20 bus[hels]. I had some little potatoes & peas but made no account of them. I let the soldiers have them. 

Item No. 7: I had 2 boxes of rice & some in another box & the boxes held about 10 bus[hels] a piece, I will count it 20 bus altogether. They took off the rice in bags & in my wife’s dress & threw it on the horse & away they went. 

Item 8 & 9: I had 46 head of fowls & 5 dead of ducks. They took the fowls & ducks by shooting & by knociking them down with sticks. They staid there at my house 3 days & they used to kill them & give them to my wife to cook & when they went off they bundled some up & carried them to camp. 

This property all belonged to me & my wife & family there are 4 children in the family. I commenced buying & raising when I was a young man till I was married & then after that kept on buying & raising & increasing all the time my stock, this & being industrious was the way I got my property. The soldiers gave my wife & daughters nothing for cooking & working for them. They said they would but never gave them nothing. They did not pay me anything for my property. This is the first & only account I have ever presented against the government. The soldiers took this property to feed their horses & the hogs to eat themselves. The army was very much in need of such things indeed. Some were ragged and some most starved. I felt for them because they were fighting for me. 

Joseph James [signed by mark]

Witness E.E. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me

Virgil Hillyer

Special Commissioner

State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Francis Brown)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Frances Brown I was born in Liberty Co Ga a slave became free when the Army came in here in Dec. My master was William G. Martin. I couldn’t tell rightly my age I am I guess about 30 years old. I reside on Mr. Jones place in Liberty Co. I work at regular farm work. I know the claimant. I am not at all related to him. I have no interest in his claim. 

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 the Army took this property from the claimant. 

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.  

I saw the soldiers take all this property. 

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.] 

When the soldiers first came up they told us we all are free & then said we must cook dinner for them. He had his wife & daughters cooking 3 days for them.  

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 Claimant’s house on Mr. Martin’s place. It was taken in Dec, but I don’t remember the year, it was taken when the Army came in here. The property was taken by Kilpatrick’s Army. There was more than one soldier. I couldn’t tell how many. I can count but I was too scared to take time to count them. They were 3 days taking the property. 

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

There were present at the taking of the property Ceasar Jones, Linda Jones, & myself, & Joseph Jones & wife. She started after the claimant her husband & he came back from where he was about a mile away & he met them with the horses at the gate. 

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 that I know of there I don’t know officers from soldiers. The people what have stripes on came afterwards & met the soldiers at the gate. The officers did not stop there they let them pass through. 

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 mare was feeding out in the old field behind claimant’s house. The soldiers hitched the mare to the buggy & then went into the house & got corn & rice & filled up the buggy & drove off. 

8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.  

This property was moved in the buggy. They didn’t move it all in one day but kept coming & going. The fowls they tied up & threw in on the seat of the buggy. THe took the saddles & bridle & saddled their own horses. The rice was moved in the buggy too. This was not a small buggy but a half wagon. 

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 moved this property to Midway Church. I know they went there because they were encamped at that place. I did not go down to the 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 know what they took this property for. They took it to feed the horses, the corn & the saddles they took to ride with, they said their saddles were all worn out. I saw them feeding the horses with the corn & rice both & I saw them taking the things cooked for them. I saw them using the horses every day when they came 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 any complaint made to any officers about 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 any voucher or receipt asked for. 

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?  

They took this property in the day time. The first time they came about 8 o’clock in the morn. 

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 these things were taken the Army were encamped at Midway Church Way I knew I could see the tents. After they were gone we went behind them quite near the camp. I know it was Kilpatrick’s army took this property. I think they had been there in camp a week before they came up to claimant’s place. I think they staid in camp there at the church about 4 weeks. I don’t know of any battles or skirmishes about there. I did not know the quartermasters nor any of the officers. 

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 rice was in a box & the corn down in the row. The corn was [word] & in good market order. This corn was clear-shucked & in the ear. 

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: This horse was about 4 year. I know it was broken to the buggy. They took the horse away by harnessing him into the buggy. He was a large horse & fat. Claimant had this horse 4 years before the army came through. I could not tell how old he was when he bought it but I knew he raised [it]. 

Item No. 2: This was a buggy on iron springs. This was the same one they took the corn in. It was a new buggy, he had not had it a month. It was a new one right from the shop. He had 2 harnesses 1 2nd hand & a new one. They put the new one on to his horse & hitched his horse to his buggy & loaded [it] with corn & rice & drove off. 

Item No. 3: He had 2 saddles, one 2nd hand saddle & a new one. They were leather saddles. It was a leather bridle. It was a good one. They took these saddles out of the house & saddled their own horses with them & one horse they tied to the buggy & rode the other one off. 

Item No. 4: I think he had about 9 beehives. They break up 2 of these hives & carry the rest off. 

Item No. 5: He had 30 head of hogs & the soldiers took them all. They were all fat, & large & small altogether. I saw them kill these hogs right in the [word covered by stamp] & take them away. I don’t know any thing about the sweet potatoes. I know he had some banked round his house but to say, I saw the soldiers take them with my own eye I could not tell you that. 

Item No. 6: I think he had about 50 bus[hels] of corn in his house. 50 bus in ear I mean. I think he had 5 acres planted in corn. I don’t know how much corn they raise to the acre. 

Item No. 7: He had 40 bus. He had it in boxes some hold 5 or 6 & some 10 bus & he had 5 or 6 boxes. They took this rice & the corn away in the buggy wagon. The Army wagon didn’t come there at all. 

Items 8 & 9: He had about 40 head of fowl. I don’t know how many ducks he had. They shot these & knocked them down. This property al belonged to the claimant. I know he owned it because his wife lived on the same place where I did & he used to bring his things there. He had been raising things every since I knew him & his master allowed him to own horses & hogs & raise them corn & rice. I knew him ever since my childhood. [The sentence “I was raised up in his family” was crossed out.] I don’t know if he was a friend to the Yankees but when they came he was glad to see them & turned right in & got dinner for them. I don’t know what he was before the Yankees come we could not show what we was before. 

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 (Ceasar James)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Ceasar Jones. I was born at Oakland place Liberty Co Ga, a slave became free in 864 in Dec. I am 

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 at his house when the Yankees came there. I was not going anything there. I just went because I saw the soldiers going there & they was cooking for them & I just stand up & look. I never had seen anything like it before. 

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.  

I saw the soldiers take this property of the claimant’s. 

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.] 

The soldiers didn’t say anything they just went right to  [word]. They killed the hogs & fowls. They took these things because they were hungry they said so. 

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 Oakland plantation in Liberty Co on Mr. Wm. G. Martin’s place at the house of claimant’s wife. These things were taken in Dec 1864 from the 15th about to the 20th of the month. They were taken by Kilpatrick’s Army.  THere were many more than one soldier present at the taking of the property. I think there were a 100. I suppose some 2 or 3 went into the house & got the property out, but they were all there present. I think they were 4 or 5 days taking the things backwards & forwards; they kept coming & taking the things, until it was all gone. 

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

Mr. James’ wife & France Brown & myself were there present at the taking of the property. Claimant was not there at first but he met them going out with the horse. 

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 didn’t know the soldiers one from another I didn’t know which were officers. 

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 drove the horse up & caught him & put claimant’s harness on him & drove him off after they hitched him to the buggy. They took the corn & rice right out & put it in th wagon. THey took it from the house. They had a basket fixed up with sticks & put some in that & put it in the wagon & they show some down & they took some horseback & all kinds of different ways. 

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 moved this property away in wagons & on horse back. Some of the wagons were small Jersey wagons & some large 4 horse 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 moved this property off from there down Midway side but I don’t know where they were going with it. I did not follow it but it went down toward the Savannah coast. 

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 fed the horses on the corn & the fowls & such things they used for themselves. This was what I saw the first commencement of it. I saw them using some of it 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 heard no complaint made by the claimant on account of the taking of the 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 claimant ask for any voucher or receipt. 

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?  

They took the property in the daytime & night time both; sometimes they came in the day & hardly get back before night. I never saw any come in the night but sometimes, the night catch them before they get away. 

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 this property was taken the army were not encamped at Oakland’s I dont know where they were encamped . The property was taken by both horse & footmen. I saw some come with wagons. 

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 good condition. The corn in ear & shucked & in the house. The rice was rough rice, & in boxes. THe hogs were all running out round about the lot. 

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 think this horse was about 7 years old. A large horse. He was broken both in the harness & saddle. He was in good flesh & order the best. THe claimant had owned this horse about 4 years before emancipation. He had the horse to use in riding back & forward & to go to meeting at times. I saw this horse taken away by the soldiers. They drove him up & caught him & put him in the buggy. 

Item No 2: This was a fine buggy. He had had it long enough to get old & to have it repaired. He had it repaired about a year before the Yankees came. It was on springs with an iron axle tree. He had a 2nd hand half new harness. THey put this harness on Joe James’ horse & put in the buggy corn & rice. I didn’t see them come back with that same horse & buggy but they came with others. 

Item No 3: One was a new saddle & the other an old one. They were both leather. THe new one he had had about 6 months. He didn’t use it much. The reason I call it new it wasn’t hurt. The old saddle was worn out enough to know it was not a new saddle. The bridle was a new bridle. I saw them taken away. They put the bridle & saddles on the soldiers’ horses & went off. 

Item No 4: He had about 9 beehives. They took them at deep dusk & smoked the bees with cotton & take the honey out. 

Item No 5: I didn’t know exactly how many hogs he had. He had a large quantity of them & they were large & small. I don’t know how much they would weigh unless I kill one & see. I saw them kill the hogs & take them away. 

Item No 6: He had 100 bus[hels] of ear corn & he averaged that it would make 50 bus of shell corn. He had it measured the corn was taken away in his wagon and in wagons they brot [brought] with them. Some 2 & some 4 horse wagon. I can’t tell how many wagon loads they took away they took all he had did not leave a peck of corn. 

Item No 7: He had 40 bus rough rice it was measured and in boxes. I can’t tell how many he had enough to hold his quantity of rice it was taken in the wagon with the corn they did not leave any of the rice to my knowing. 

Items No 8 & 9: He had ducks & chickens but I can’t tell how many I saw them all taken. 

The property all belonged to Mr. James the claimant I know they belonged to him because I was living there & know he had such property all the time and I never heard any body else claim the property or his title to it disputed. Many slaves in Liberty Co. owned property just as he did. He has not promised to give me anything for coming here to testify. I have done what I have out of neighborly kindness & because he was a fellow servant in slavery times. 

Ceasar Jones [signed by mark]

Witness: Virgil Hillyer

Sworn to and subscribed before me

Virgil Hillyer

Special Commissioner

State of Georgia

[Next document was a copy of a petition for Samuel Maxwell to be appointed administrator over the estate of Joseph James, deceased, said to have died intestate. The Liberty County Ordinary, Joseph Ashmore, granted the letters of administration on October 12, 1880.]

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No. 20.664

Joseph James dec’d

Liberty Co. Ga. 

Testimony of Peggy Jones, page 1

Report of Sp’l Agt page 3. 

Respectfully forwarded from Milledgeville, Ga

July 25th, 1878

R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agt

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Testimony of Peggy Jones colored, taken under oath, at Cross Roads Church, Liberty County, Ga. June 10th, 1878

Q: What relation are you to Joseph James, the claimant?

A: His widow. He died about three years ago. He left two children. I am married again. My name is Peggy Jones now. The children Bessy and Stepney. Bessy is the oldest. 

Q: Were you his wife when the raid came?

A: Yes, sir. I lived on the Martin place and he on the Col. Quarterman place, about a quarter of a mile apart. 

Q: Where was his property taken from?

A: From the place where I staid. Every thing he had was with me. [NOTE: This was underlined]

Q: What did he have?

A: Plenty of fowl, hogs and ducks and a very fine mare and fine buggy. 

Q: Where did he get the mare?

A: He bought a colt from Kibby Stevens that he swapped to Edgar Way for a sorrel mare. It was a mare for it had one colt. The colt died. She was with the 2d colt when they took her. 

Q: Where did he get the buggy? 

A: It was a spring wagon with a seat. It was second hand. I don’t know where he got that, nor what he gave for it. 

Q: Do you know anything about a saddle?

A: Yes. I don’t know one saddle from another. It was a saddle. 

Q: What else did you have taken?

A: He had some beehives. I don’t remember how many. 

Q: Do you know anything about the number of hogs?

A: No. He had a heap of them. The same place where I staid. A good gang. I can’t tell how many. Sow and pigs. 

Q: How much rice?

A: I don’t know. It was right in the house. He had some in a box and some in the loft. I can’t tell anything about how much. 

Q:  About your chickens?

A: They took all my chickens and ducks. I know that. I interfered and a soldier knocked me. He staid at our house most a week. He was then sick. His name was Charley. 

Q: Is that all you know?

A: Yes, that is all I know. 

Q: Hear it read.

A: That is correct.

Attest:  Peggy Jones [signed by mark]

R.B. Avery, Sp’l Com’r

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Claim of Joseph James, dec’d

Liberty County, Ga } No. 20.664

This claimant is dead. The information I have in regard to him was that he was more than usually energetic, and possessed a good deal of self-respect. He purchased a home, and was trying to improve it some, so as to live more like a civilized human. Several certified to his ownership of a horse and wagon but no one could give an estimate of its value. W.A. Golding swears: “He had a horse and  cart and hogs but how much I can’t say.” He could give no more definite answer. When he died, he had a horse, which fell to Samuel Maxwell or which he got. His widow married again, and has been unlucky. The fellow would not work, and she drove him off. She only remembered one saddle, and nothing certain about his hogs. He had a few. I was told that he had put his rice crop too high. Nearly all these negroes, who were of any account, raised little patches of rice. There was a good deal of wet land on the Quarterman place. They cultivated it with the hoe, and had to be unusually energetic if they made more than five to ten bushels of “rough rice.” That was about the usual limit. Mrs. Jones is apparently honest, and gave her testimony straight forward. To that I respectfully call attention. 

Very respectfully, 

R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agt [Special Agent]

Hon. Com’rs of Claims, 

Washington, D.C.

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Claim No. 55020

Sett No. 96

Samuel Maxwell asmr

Of Joseph James, dec,

Of Ga.

$120

Due him

Out of the appropriation for

“Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies

Furnished during the rebellion”

For amount allowed him

By the Southern Claims Commission

Reported: Dec 9, 1880

Returned: Dec 22, 1880

Requisition No. 9569 , dated

Jany 4, 1881, transmitted for

Warrant  Jany 6, 1881.

$120.00 

————————————————————

The United States 

To  Samuel Maxwell administrator of Joseph James deceased of Georgia

For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No. 106

Approved June 14, 1880, 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.”

One hundred and twenty dollars  $120.00

Payable in care of Gilmore and Co, Washington D.C.

Treasury Department, 

Second Comptroller’s Office

Dec 22, 1880

Treasury Department

Third Auditor’s Office

Dec 8, 1880

————————————————————

No. 20664   Joseph James, Georgia

Feby 28, 1873. Petitioner filed. Attorney, Hosmer & Co

M.L. [name], in ch’ge

Records S.C.C.

————————————————————

Joseph James

Liberty Co. Geo } 20.664

Claimant is 47 a farmer and resides at Arcadia now owned by a gang of them col’d men, who bought it of the owner Charley Jones. During the war was the slave of Col. Joseph Quarterman who is now dead. Worked by moon-light and fire-light and raised and sold stuff; and got money enough to buy the young filly. Lives now on his own land of 116 acre @ ? per acre. The condition are to pay in three years @ 7 %.

Sorrel horse – Buggy and harness – 2 saddles and bridles – 9 hives of honey – 20 hogs – 48 bus rice – 46 fowls – 5 ducks  $482.40

 Witnesses

Frances Brown – Caesar James

————————————————————

Treasury Departmen

Third Auditor’s Office

Washington, D.C. June 21, 1880

20664

Sir: 

Please state whom teh commissioners recognized in the claim of Joseph James No 20664 of the state of Georgia. 

Very respectfully

E.W. [name]

Auditor

[name]

Hon. Sec of the Treasury

Hosmer & Co, attys of record

[Also several more pieces of Treasury department correspondence about payment]

————————————————————

Memorandum:

Joseph James

No. 20664

“He belonged to the Quarterman place. He had horse and cows and he had hogs but how much I can’t say.”

See deposition of W.A. Golding on private files. 

————————————————————

[More pieces of Treasury Department correspondence with the lawyers about payment, given that James was deceased.]

#55020

Hinesville Ordinary’s Office

Dec’r 2nd 1880

Dear Sir

Yours of the 15th ult to hand. The facts in the case are simply these. 

Peggy Jones, formerly Peggy James, representing herself to be the widow of Joseph James dec’d made application for letters of administration, which were granted to her as such. 

When the letters were returned for correction, the fact then appearing that she had married one Jones and under our statue could not be appointed. Samuel Maxwell, who had married a daughter of Joseph James, made the application and was appointed the adm’r. 

The letters to Samuel Maxwell are in all respects correct, according to our Statutes. Yours etc. 

Joseph Ashmore

Ordinary Liberty Co. Ga