Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon
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About the Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commmission 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
SCC Disallowed Claim Liberty County – Saul Jones
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Jones, Sault
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $131.00
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for General Sherman’s Army
Claimant living in: Pine Land Plantation, near No. 2. Albany & Ga Railroad, Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Oak Land Plantation
Claim #: 20663
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-02-28
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-11-03
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms; R.Q. Cassels
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: Camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by Major General Sherman
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: No. 3 A & G Rail Road
Witnesses to be Called: |
Jacob Bacon |
Peter Wilson |
Toney West [did not testify] |
Frank Williams [did not testify] |
Transcription
Petition
To the Honorable Commissioners of Claims
Under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871, Washington, D.C.
The Petition of Saul Jones
Pine Land near No. 2 Albany & G Rail Road
Respectfully represents:
That he is a citizen of the United States and resides at present at or near the Pine Land near No. 2. Albany & G Rail Road and that he resided when this claim accrued at or near Oak Grove Liberty County
That he has a claim against the United States for property taken for the use of the army of the United States during the late rebellion at (or near) Pine Land Plantation as aforesaid, in the county of Liberty and State of Georgia.
That the said claim, stated by items, and excluding any and all items of damage, destruction, and loss, (and not use,) or property; of unauthorized or unnecessary depredations by troops and other persons upon property, or of rent or compensation for the use or occupation of buildings, grounds, or other real estate, is as follows:
No. of Item | Quantities and Articles | Value |
1 | 5 hogs, 150 lbs each 15.00 | 75.00 |
2 | 20 head fowls | 5.00 |
3 | 5 bushels of corn, 5 of potatoes | 15.00 |
4 | bedding & clothing | 30.00 |
5 | Cooking utensils | 6.00
|
Total: $131.00
________________________________
[Page 6]
That the property in question was taken or furnished for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as Sherman’s Army and commanded by General Kilpatrick and that the persons who took or received the property, or who authorized or directed it to be taken or furnished, were the following:
[left blank]
That the property was removed to the camps of the Army and used for or by the Troops of the United States all this on or about the 20 day of December in the year 1864.
That no voucher, receipt, or other writing, was given for the property.
[Paragraph of standard wording with no added writing omitted]
[Standard statement saying that the petitioner was loyal to the United States before and while the property was taken.]
________________________________
[Page 7]
That said claim has not before been presented to any branch or department of the government.
That James M. Simms is hereby authorized and empowered to act as Attorney for the prosecution of this claim.
Witnesses: [Signatures faded and illegible]
[Signed by] Saul Jones [signed by his mark]
State of Georgia
County of Liberty
[printed statement averring that the petitioner believes the statement to be true and that he did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate military or provide aid to it or the Confederate government]
Witnesses:
[first name illegible] S. Ashmore
[?Joseph?] Ashmore
[Signed] Saul Jones [signed with his mark]
Sworn and subscribed in my presence, the 1?th day of September 1873
Joseph Ashmore, J.P.
Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove loyalty:
Toney West of Liberty County
Frank Williams Liberty County
Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove the other facts alleged in the foregoing petition:
Toney West Liberty County
Frank Williams Liberty County
Post office address of claimant: No. 3 A & G Rail Road
Post office address of attorney: Savannah, Georgia
________________________________
[Page 8]
[Following was handwritten]
No. 20663
Before the Commissioners of Claims
Claim of
Saul Jones, at Pine Land Plantation, near no. 2 Albany & ? R.R.,, Liberty County, Georgia
Items of Claim
1 5 Hogs, 150 lbs each 15. $75.00
2 20 head fowls 5.00
3 5 bush. Corn – 5 bush. potatoes 15.00
4 Bedding & Clothing 30.00
5 Cooking utensils 6.00
$131.00
Taken about the 20th Dec. 1864, by Genl Kilpatrick of Sherman’s Army
Witnesses named in Petition
Toney West
Frank Williams
Gilmore & Co
Attorneys
Washington, D.C.
________________________________
[Page 9]
Act March 3, 1871
Before the Commissioners of Claims
Washington, D.C.
Claim of Saul Jones of the County of Liberty and State of Georgia numbered 20663.
It is hereby certified that on the 3d day of November, 1877, at # 3 A & G R.Road in the County of Liberty and State of Georgia came personally before me, for the purpose of a hearing in the above-entitled cause, the following persons, namely:
Saul Jones, Claimant
R.Q. Cassells, Counsel
Jacob Bacon}
Witnesses
Peter Wilson }
[Standard typed statement about swearing to tell the truth, etc]
Witness my hand and seal this 3d day of November 1877. Henry Way, Special Commissioner.
________________________________
[Page 10-12] Printed standard list of questions to be asked claimants.
________________________________
[Page 13]
[Transcriber’s Note: The original was formatted like this: “To question 1 Witness answers Saul Jones, 81 years, Liberty County Ga all my life.” To avoid repetition, I have included only the question numbers and the answers, not the “witness answers” parts.]
Testimony of Saul Jones Liberty County Georgia on Claim 20663.
1. Saul Jones, 81 years, Liberty County Ga all my life
2. Am claimant.
[Transcriber’s Note: questions 3-65 did not apply]
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
I was[.] Raised it.
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From plantation Liberty County Ga 200 acres 100 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
[Question 69 put only to female claimants.]
70. Were you slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
Slave at end of war. Farming before freedom, before the war worked for it worked for missus Sumner Ashmore Liberty County Ga dead. He is not witness because dead. No no no no no one.
[Transcriber’s note: James Sumner Ashmore died in Tennessee during the Civil War. His wife was Emma Shave Ashmore, who married his uncle Joseph Ashmore after his death]
[Question 71 not applicable]
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did
[one word] I had 5 hogs 20 head fowls ? bushels corn 5 bushels potatoes bedding & clothing cooking utensils
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly.
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
No complaint made to officers
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
None because I did not know any better.
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
No no no no.
________________________________
[Page 14]
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were in camp not far from my house.
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The hogs were bacon hogs Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County for 5 hogs counted them worth $15.00 dollars a head December 20th 1864 killed them in pen & carried them off about 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present said nothing. Believe it was done for use of the Army because they carried it camp & eat it
The fowls were grown Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County for 20 head counted them worth about 25 cts a piece December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army killed them put them in wagon 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present said nothing believe officers ordered because the men said so
The rice was threshed Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County for 5 bushels measure worth one dollar a bushel December 20th 1864.
________________________________
[Page 15]
Kilpatrick’s army put in sacks in wagons 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present men said noting believe officer ordered it because the men said so
The potatoes were in bank Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 5 bushels measured worth 2 dollars a bushel December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army took them out of bank & put them in wagon 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present believe officer ordered it because men said so
The bedding & clothing were quilts blankets beds at Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 30.00 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army put them in wagon 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp believe officer ordered it because men said so
The cooking utensils were pots pans plates at Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 6.00 dollars december 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army put them in wagon 16 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp non officer present believe officer ordered because men said so
Sworn to & subscribed before me
This 8th November 1877
Henry Way Special Comm.
[Signed by] Saul Jones [his mark]
Testimony of Witness (Jacob Bacon)
Jacob Bacon first witness for claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Jacob Bacon 26 years Liberty County all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Saul Jones
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All my life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
No
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
No
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
He was known during war and now as a Union man. Know by his talk Peter Wilson Caesar Jones
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Tony Golden Gus Law Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew it by my life
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Saul Jones bought & raised it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From plantation Liberty County Ga about 200 acres about 150 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
Not that I know of
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
[Not asked of witnesses]
The following questions will be put to all colored witnesses in behalf of white claimants:
71. Were you formerly the slave of the claimant? Are you now in his service or employment? Do you live on his land? Are you in his debt? Are you in any way to share in this claim if allowed?
[NOT APPLICABLE]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 5 hogs 2 head of fowls 5 bush corn 5 bush potatoes belling & clothing pots etc.
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
Not that I know of
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
No
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
No no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The hogs were fat bacon hogs Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 5 head worth 14 or 15 dollars a piece December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them put them in wagon 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11) don’t know
The fowls were brown Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 20 fowls counted them worth about 40 cts a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them took some on horses
Rest in wagon 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagon about one hour to camp no officer present (11)
Don’t know the corn was shucked shelled Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 5 bushels saw it measured worth one dollar a bushel December 20 1864 Kilpatrick’s army sacked it & put in wagon 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11) don’t know
The potatoes were in bank Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 5 bushels saw measured worth 1.50 a bushel December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army took them out of bank put them in wagon 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11) don’t know
The bedding & clothing were bed quilts clothes etc Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 25 or 30 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army took it on horses 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11) don’t know
The cooking utensils were pots pans plates etc Mr. Martin’s Plantation Liberty County Ga worth 6 or 7 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick army put them in wagons 15 or 20 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11) don’t know.
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me this 8th Nov
1877
Henry Way Special Comm.
[Signed] Jacob Bacon [his mark]
Testimony of Witness (Peter Wilson)
Peter Wilson Second Witness for claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Peter Wilson 39 years Liberty County Ga Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Saul Jones
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All my life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Was with him all the time
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
No
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
No
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Every body knew him to be union man I knew from his talk [word word smudged] Jones [one word] King
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Tony Golden Gus Law Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew it by my life
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Saul Jones worked & raised it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From plantation Liberty County Ga over 200 acres about 150 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
Not that I know of
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
[Question 70 only asked of African American claimant]
The following questions will be put to all colored witnesses in behalf of white claimants:
71. Were you formerly the slave of the claimant? Are you now in his service or employment? Do you live on his land? Are you in his debt? Are you in any way to share in this claim if allowed?
[NOT APPLICABLE]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 5 hogs 20 fowls 5 bush corn 5 bush potatoes bedding & clothing pots etc
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
No complaint made to officer
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
None
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
No no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The hogs were fat bacon hogs Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 4 head Worth 14 or 15 dollars a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army killed hogs put them in wagon 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officers present (11) don’t know
The fowls were grown Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County 20 fowls counted them worth 40 or 45 cts a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army caught & killed them put them in wagon 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11)
Don’t know the corn was shucked & shelled Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga 5 bushels saw it measured worth one dollar a bushel December 20 1864 Kilpatrick’s army sacked it put in wagon 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officer present (11)
Don’t know the potatoes were in bank Mr. Martin’s plantation liberty County Ga 5 bushels saw it measured worth 1.50 per bushel December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army broke bank and put potatoes in wagon 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp No officer present (11)
Don’t know the Bedding & clothing were bed quilts blankets mens clothing etc Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 25 or 30 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army took them on horses 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officers present (11)
Don’t know the cooking utensils were pots pans plates etc Mr. Martin’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 5 or 6 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatrick’s army put them [in] wagons 10 or 15 men & horses 2 wagons about one hour to camp no officers present (11)
Don’t know.
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me this 8th Nov 1877
Henry Way Special Comm.
[signed] Peter Wilson [his mark]
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[Standard typed statement allowing special commission to make comment. Nothing written.]
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Commissioners of Claims
Act March 3d, 1871
No. 20663
Claim
Of
Saul Jones (col’d)
Of Liberty Co
State of Georgia
Summary Report
Amount Allowed, $ —
Submitted to Congress
Dec [faded] 1878
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[Page 25]
No. 20663
The Claim of Saul Jones (col’d)
Nature of Claim
5 hogs 20 chicken 15 bushels of corn & potatoes bedding clothing & cooking utensils
Amount Claimed: $131
Amount Disallowed: $131
Remarks:
This is the claim of a colored man who was practically a slave until the war ended. He alleges that he was despoiled of his pigs poultry bedding clothing by Gen. Sherman’s Army but very little of the claim can be regarded as stores or supplies. He has not proved such a title & ownership as to authorise an allowance for that little. The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis, O. Ferris, J.B. Howell, Comms of Claims
Ends on page 25