Abram Walthour – Southern Claims Commission

Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore Cole and ChatGPT
See below for full transcript

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 Allowed Claim Liberty County – Abraham (Abram) Walthour

Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Walthour, Abraham (Abram)
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N):
Amount of Claim: $180.00
Total Amount Allowed: $140.00
Nature of Claim: Army Supplies
Claimant living in: Riceboro, Ga
Incident occurred in: Walthourville, Ga
Claim #: 21474
Secondary Claim #: 36620
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]:
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay Jr (Savannah)
Property Removed to: Midway
Date property removed: 1864-12-14
Army unit involved: Howards Corp, commanded by Genl Kilpatrick } officers Capt Hancock and Col. Murray | Col. Murray’s Regiment
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1874-12
Post Office of Claimant:

Witnesses to be Called:	Location
John Stephens (Stevens)	Liberty County, Ga
James Walthour [did not testify]	Liberty County, Ga
Raymond Cay Jr Esq.	Savannah

Transcription

Items Claimed

Item #	Description	Amt Claimed	Amt Allowed	Amt Disallowed
	One Bay Horse	160.00	120.00	40.00
	4 Hogs	20.00	20.00
	Total	180.00	140.00	40.00

Remarks: Claimant was a slave during the war, and his loyalty is established by his own statement and the testimony of his witnesses.

The claimant and his fellow servants testifies to the fact that the horse was given to claimant’s wife when it was a colt by her father and that they raised it; and that they raised the hogs also. They testify too that the horse and the hogs were taken by soldiers of Sherman’s Army in December 1864.

We allow the sum of one hundred and forty dollars.

Testimony of Claimant

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

My name is Abram Walthour, 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.

Abram Walthour
vs
United States

Before Special Commissioner
Liberty County Ga

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Abram Walthour. I was born in Liberty County and made free when the raid came here. I am 30 years old. I live now on Samuel Harris place in Liberty County. I am a farmer and 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 1st of April 1861 to the 15th of June 1865 I resided on land with my master in Walthourville in Liberty County Georgia. I was the Butler in his house.

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?

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.

3 & 4 Irrelevent

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 ever took was when registering for voting in Riceboro.

6 to 28 inclusive to each and every question the claimant answers “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 never had an opportunity to do anything for them or to aid them until they came into the county then I cooked for them while in the county. When they left I went and piloted the soldiers across the Ogeechee River – helped them clear the road &c I mean the Yankee soldiers.

30 to 39 inclusive to each and 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?”

From the beginning of the rebellion to the close of the war I sympathized with the Union cause. I felt glad to hear of it and desirous to get my freedom I felt too the war would bring it. I always told my colored friends we would be free before the war was over and my words came true. I could not express my sentiments to any one not at all to the whites. I was on the side of the Yankees all the time.

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 do solemnly declare that from the beginning of the war to the end of it my sympathies been constantly with the cause of the United States that I never of my 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 I was at all times ready and willing when called upon or if called upon to aid & assist the cause of the Union or to support it so far as my means and power and the circumstances of my case 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.

At the beginning of the war I was a slave & made free when the Union Army came into the county. I went right to work farming. I got the horse by raising it from a colt. The colt was given to my wife by her father when about one year old. We had had the horse about 3 years when the raid passed through. I bought the mother of these hogs & raised hogs and had the privilege to do it & to sell. I had not sold any from the mother of these hogs I had been raising hogs for several years before the war commenced one and two a year. I belonged to Raymond Cay Sr. I am not in his employ. I do not live on land purchased of him. I am not indebted to him at all for anything. He is living and in Walthourville Liberty County Ga. I am the only one who has any interest in this claim.

2d 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 property specified in my petition was taken by the Yankee soldiers.

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

I saw the soldiers take the horse and the hogs.

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 came to my master’s lot took all of his horses and mine with his. The hogs they shot down and carried them off on their horses. They said they had come and set me free of course I felt satisfied and did not try to prevent them from taking horses or anything else they wanted. My master was at home they stripped him of every thing he had. The property was taken by horsemen.

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 from me at my master house in Walthourville Liberty County Ga in Dec. When the Union Army came in 1864 I think. There were hundreds of them the town was covered with them in every direction. The property was taken by the Cavalry force of Sherman Army. I think they were in one lot about one hour. They were in the town about one week I think.

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

I was present. John Stevens, Reggy Harris R. Cay Sr and R Cay Jr.

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 don’t know whether there were any officers present or not. I did not know any of them. I did not hear any orders given they just came in in a rush and took the things and retired.

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 took my horse in the lot with R Cay Sr they loaded the horse down with corn and fodder and went off the hogs were in the lot too. My master never raised any hogs. Mine were the only hogs in the lot they killed them and carried them off out of the lot.

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 led the horse off packed with fodder & corn the hogs were carried from the lot on horses. I do not know what they did with them after they left the lot.

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?

I suppose they went first No 5 Atlantic & Gulf Rail Road then to Midway. I don’t know what they did with the property after they left our yard.

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 don’t know what use they put the property to. I suppose they took the hogs to eat and the horses to ride and use for the use of the Army. They took 3 horses from my master or I think two horses and one mule we call them all horse here or some do.

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 to any one.

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 to show they had taken the property. I did not know then that a receipt would do me any good. I was so glad to get my freedom I did not think of anything else – much – just then.

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 day time + not 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 they took the property the army was encamped at Midway Church about 16 miles from Walthourville. I believe it was Genl Sherman Army commanded by Genl Kilpatrick they were all horsemen I believe. I think they came to Walthourville about 4 days after I heard they were at Midway. I think they were in the country about 4 weeks. I did not know the quartermasters or 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 property they took from me was in splendid 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 between 4 & 5 year old medium size was fat and well broke to work any where. I had had him about 3 years or little over and he was about 1 year old when he was given to my wife. They led him off loaded with fodder + corn one one or both I do not know which.

Item No 2
I had 4 hogs the sows was Large and I think would weigh 130 to 150 the barrows about 80 to 90 they were all in good eating order not what we would call fat enough for bacon hogs. They killed the hogs and carried them off on their horses.

I never received any pay from the army or any body else for any part of this property. This is the first claim I have ever made for the payment of the loss. The property was mine and it was taken by the soldiers of the Union Army and I believe for their use and not for destruction.

Abram Walthour [signed by mark]

Witness
Virgil Hillyer }
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (John Stevens)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is John Stevens. I was born Raymond Cay’s Plantation a slave and became free when the Yankee raid came through the county. I belonged to Raymond Cay Sr. I am 30 years of age. I reside on the old Fleming Plantation. I am a farmer. I knew the claimant Abram Walthour.
I am not related to him in any way. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him all my life. We belonged to the same man. He was always a good Union man and a good friend to the Yankees.

2d 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 at claimant’s house when the Yankee soldiers took the articles of property specified in his petition.

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

I saw them take the horse and the hogs.

When they came up to claimant’s house they said they must take all that was their orders & they did take all.

The property was taken in Walthourville from Raymond Cay Sr yard in December 1864 just after Christmas I don’t remember the day by the Union soldiers. I can’t tell how many there were present, there was a large gang of them. They were in the town pretty much all day they took his things in a very short time.

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

Raymond Cay Jr and his son R Cay Jr Peggy Stevens Grace Todd and others.

I did not know officers from private soldiers then. Two men who were dressed different from others ordered the soldiers to go in and take all they could get.

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 in the lot with Mr. Cay’s. They went into the lot and took all of the horses in the lot put saddles + bridles on them loaded them up with fodder + hog meat and went off with them. They killed the hogs in the pen and carried them off on horses.

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 property from Cay’s yard on horse and in wagons. The pork was taken on horses.

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 the property to the camp. I know because they came back the next day & I think they went there & unloaded. I did not follow them.

I don’t know what use they made of this property. They took it all off. I didn’t see them use any of it.

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 the claimant complain to any one on account of the taking of the property.

I did not hear him ask for a voucher or receipt.

They took this property in the day time. They were there between 10 + 11 o’clock.

The army were encamped when they took this property at Johnson’s Station & I heard some were at Midway. I think the biggest camp was at Midway. It was called Sherman’s army. I didn’t go to either camp most of the soldiers were on horses & some on foot. They staid there about 3 weeks. They were riding over the country back & forward all the time they were there. There was a little bit of a skirmish just as they came up. I did not know any of the quarter masters or the officers present.

The horses were in pretty fine flesh & the hogs in good order, good meat hogs.

Item No. 1. This horse was 4 years old. He had him about 3 years. He got him from his wife’s father. He got him when he was a little colt. He was about a year old when given to him. The horse was in good order. A common sized pony horse. I could tell this horse from Mr. Cay’s. They took his hogs at the same time. I think they took 3 from him. I saw the soldiers take this horse away with Mr. Cay’s.

Item No. 2. He had 4 hogs, of good size & fat, good meat hogs, not the real bacon hogs, but in good order. I couldn’t tell what they would weigh. I am not a judge of the weight of hogs. They killed them cut them up & took them away on horses.

This horse & the hogs belonged to the claimant. I know they belonged to him because we were there together & I know he raised the pigs from a sow he bought. II don’t know how old they were. I know the horse belonged to him because he said it was his claimed it all teh time & & no one else claimed it. He was butler, working in the house, & taking charge of the dinners etc.,

Mr. Cay bought the claimant when a boy & raised him. I could not tell how many slave he owned. I was his hostler & lived at his house on Walthourville.

WItness
E.E. Adlington

John Stevens [signed by mark]

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (William Gilmore)

[Transcriber’s Note: This testimony was too faded to transcribe fully from the Ancestry version. However, Dr. Peggy Hargis, associate professor at Georgia Southern University (retired), had kindly made a photocopy of the original available and the transcript below was created from that.]

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

My name is William Gilmore. I was [born] in Sunbury, Ga, a slave and [became free] when the Union Army passed through. I belonged to Raymond Cay Sr was living with him when the Yankee Army passed through. I am 53 years of age. I reside on Capt. Winn’s place. I am farming. I am not related to the claimant. I have no beneficial interest in his claim again the Government. I have known him ever since he was born. We all belonged to one man he lived with his master at Walthourville. I lived on the plantation ten miles from Walthourville I drove the wagon and used to go to my master every week & saw claimant every time I went there. We used to talk every time we met about the war. We had to be very private we did not dare to let the white people know what we were talking about had to keep “them things to ourselves”. Abram was a good Union man all through the war he had no opportunity to do anything for the Yankee soldiers before they came into the county after they came he did all he could for them and in their favor. The colored people were all for the Union. I think my master owned about ? 100 ? head of slaves I think e “mens” had horses, cattle, hogs & poultry. All the working hands had property such as cattle hogs & poultry of their own but [word] they all worked by the task on his plantation and had all the time they could make to work for themselves.

Second Set of Interrogatories by S. Comm’r

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 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 they must take them. Abram told them they were his then they just killed [rest of line faded].

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?

These things were taken at Walthourville at Abram Walthour’s house. It was 3 days after the raid came 2 weeks or so before Christmas. It was about 10 yrs ago when the Yankee army came through. I couldn’t count the soldiers – they were as thick as thick could be. A small gang came to his house. They were only a short time in taking his things.

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

There were present an old woman by the name of Lucy & John Stevens & myself.

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 officers there. I know them by the plates on their shoulders. They didn’t object to it.

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 took the horse from the yard & the hogs too. They shot the hogs down.

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 led the horse away. They stuffed the hogs right onto the horse’s 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 carried them to the camp at Midway Church. I didn’t go with them but they had no other camp but that. That was the place go.

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 used the hogs to eat and the horse for use in the army.

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 only heard him say that the hogs were his. They said that they must have them to eat & the horse to use.

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 didn’t 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 they don’t travel at night.

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 they were encamped at Midway about 10 miles off. They came up there 2 or 3 days after they camped. They were there about 2 weeks. They came up to Walthourville to get forage & then they went back to camp. They next day they did that until they got all they could there. There had been a little skirmish at Altamah but not much. I knew one officer Col. Jordan. I believe he belonged to Kilpatrick’s regiment.

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?

These hogs and horse were in fine 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 6 yrs old, a bay horse, a good size horse. He was in good order. Sound & [word] no galls on him. His eyes was good. Anywhere you put him he was a good horse. They led him away.

Item No 2. He had 4 hogs. They were fat meat hogs. They might go to 100 lbs. I saw them killed and taken away. This property belonged to Abram Walthour. His father in law gave this colt to his wife when he was 2 years old & he had owned it 4 yrs. I never heard any one else claim it. His master allowed him to own property.

17, 18, 19 Passed

William Gilmore [signed by mark]

Witness
Amey M. Adlington

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia

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Claim No. 36.620
Sett No. 4727

Abraham Walthour, Ga

$ 140.00

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: March 16, 1875
Returned: March 20, 1875

Requisition No. 3591, dated
Mar 30, 1875 transmitted for
Warrant Mar 31, 1875.

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The United States
To Abraham Walthour of Ga.

For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No.
Approved March 3, 1875, 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 $140.00

Payable in care of Raymond Cay, Jr.
Savannah, Ga.

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller’s Office
March 20, 1875
H. Spalding, Clerk

Treasury Department
Third Auditor’s Office
March [left blank], 1875
[name], Clerk.

They Had Names