Jacob Dryer – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: This case has been examined by Mr. Avery. We refer to his report & the evidence. Claimant was a slave, was allowed to own property. The son of his former master testifies that he was allowed to own property & did own a horse & some cows. Mr. Avery reports him as a very prosperous & thrifty man. The horse was taken for Army use. The wagon he bought before the war & owned it only two years. The hogs were a sow, some pigs & some grown hogs.

Mr. Avery says the corn & rice were given him for rations by his master & so belonged to the master.

We allow in all $152.

A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Comm’ers [Commissioners] of Claims

[image 104]

Testimony of Claimant

Jacob Dryer
Liberty County Georgia
Claim No. 20685

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Jacob Dryer, 40 years, Liberty Co Ga 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?

Am claimant.

[NOTE: Questions 3-43 were only put to claimants who had not been enslaved, and thus did not apply here. Questions 44-65 also did not apply.]

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?

I was, worked and bought 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. 3 or 400 acres, about 200 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 was only for 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?

Slave at end of war. Farming before freedom. Before the war worked for ?means? G. W. Walthour Liberty Co Ga. Dead. He is not witness because dead no no no no no one.

[Question 71 was only for “colored” witnesses who were testifying on behalf of white claimants.]
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. 1 Black mare, 1 wagon, 12 head hogs, 12 fowls, 30 yds cloth, 15 Bee Hives, 2 Sets Wagon Harness, 50 bush[els] corn, 65 Bushels Rice, 3 Suits Clothing.

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.

I made complaint to officer. Officer told me I would get pay for it.

[Question 75 starts image 116]

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, 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.

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 before my door.

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.

[No answers to question 78 recorded]

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 Mare was Black. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth $100.00 dollars December 16 or 17 1864. Kilpatrick Army put her in wagon drove her off 15 or 20 men 10 or ? horses about ½ hour to camp did not see any officer with them. They said you will get pay for it. I went to officer and he said he told the men to take her.

80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.

The Wagon was new. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth $50.00 dollars December 16 or 17 1864. Kilpatrick Army put horse [word] and drove off 15 or 20 8 or 10 horses about ½ hour to camp no officer with the men I went to officer in camp and he told me that he ordered men to take it.

The hogs were Stock Hogs Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga 12 head I counted them worth 10 dollars a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed and butchered them on the place used them in camp at my door 15 or 20 men about ½ hour. I went to officer and he told me that he had ordered men to take them.

The Fowls were grown. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga 12 head counted them worth 30 or 40 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864. Kilpatrick’s Army shot them and cooked them in my yard 15 or 20 men. I went to officer and he told me he had ordered it but that I would get pay for it.

The Cloth was cotton. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga 30 yds [yards] measured it worth about 15 or 20 cts [cents] a yard. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick Army took it out of house took it to tent 15 or 20 men. Officer said he ordered men to take it.

The Hives was full of Honey. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga 15 hives worth one dollar a piece. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick Army broke hives and took out the Honey 15 or 20 men cut it in my yard where they were camped. Officer said he told men to take it.

The 2 setts [sets] of Harness were second hand Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga 2 setts [sets] worth $20 dollars. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatricks Army cut and broke it up at my door. Officer told them to do it.

The corn was shucked some Shelled, some in Ear. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County GA 50 Bushel measured worth one dollar a bushel. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatricks Army used and fed to Horses right there. Officers ordered men to take it for Army.

The Rice was threshed and housed. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County GA 65 Bushels measured worth $1.50 per bushel. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatricks Army fed it away 15 horses in camp. Officer told men to take it for stock.

The clothes were new. Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth $30.00. December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatricks Army men put clothes on and carried them off.

Jacob Dryer

Sworn to and Subscribed before me 1st Nov 1877

Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness

Testimony of Witness (Samuel Maxwell)

Samuel Maxwell first witness for claimant:

The following questions will be put to every person who gives testimony:

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Samuel Maxwell, 46 years, Liberty County Ga, 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.

[NOTE: Questions 3-43 were only put to claimants who had not been enslaved, and thus did not apply here. Questions 44-51 also did not apply.]

The following questions will be put to every person testifying to the loyalty of claimants or beneficiaries:

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Jacob Dryer.

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.

Never heard anything.

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 as Union Man because I have heard him say so many times.

Israel James, Jupiter James

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?

Toney Golden [alt: Golding], Brister Fleming

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. He 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.

66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?

Jacob Dryer by working for 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 4 or 500 acres 300 acres cultivated

68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?

Not as I know of

[Questions 69-71 did not apply]

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. Black Mare, Wagon, 12 Hogs, 12 Fowls, 30 yds cloth, 15 Bee Hives, 2 Setts [Sets] wagon harness, 50 Bushel corn, 65 bush[els] Rice, 3 Suits of clothes.

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.

None that I know of.

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 in claimant’s yard.

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.

[No answers recorded.]

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 Mare was Black. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. Worth $100.00 dollars. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army put Bridle on her and carried her in camp in Claimant’s yard. Officer said he ordered men to take her that we will get pay for it. The wagon was new Mr. Walthour’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth $50.00 dollars December 18 or 20 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army camped in claimant’s yard officer said he ordered men to take it for the Army.

80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.

The Hogs were Stock Hogs. Mr Walthours plantation. Liberty County. 12 head counted them. Worth $8 or 10 dollars a head. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in Claimants yard. Officer said he ordered them taken for use of Army.

The Fowls were grown. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. 12 head worth 30 or 40 cts [cents] a head. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he ordered them taken for men to eat.

The cloth was cotton. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. Worth about 5 or 6 dollars. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he told men to take it.

The Wagon Harness were second handed. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. Worth 20 dollars. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he told men to take it for the army.

The Corn was shucked, some Shelled and Ear. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. 50 bushels seen it measured. Worth one dollar a bushel. December 18 or 20 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he told them to take it.

The Rice threshed. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. 65 Bushels saw it measured. Worth $1.50 a bushel. December 18 or 19 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he ordered it taken for Army.

The Clothes were new. Mr. Walthours plantation. Liberty County Ga. Worth $30.00 dollars. December 18 or 19 1864. Kilpatricks Army camped in claimants yard. Officer said he ordered it taken for men.

Samuel Maxwell

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st Nov 1877.

Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]

Testimony of Witness (Russel Walthour)

Russel Walthour, testifying on February 14, 1878 at Walthourville, Liberty County, Georgia:

Additional evidence in case of Jacob Dryer Liberty County Ga on Claim 20685:

The following questions will be put to every person who gives testimony:

1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?

Russel Walthour, aged 38 years, Liberty County Ga, all my life, Merchant.

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 success of this claim.

[NOTE:  Questions 3-51 did not apply.]

The following questions will be put to every person testifying to the loyalty of claimants or beneficiaries:

52. In whose favor are you here to testify?

Jacob Dryer.

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 my Father’s plantation. He belonged to my Father (deceased).

55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?

Occasionally as I was in the Army.

[Questions 56-71, 73-80 apparently were not asked]

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.

Was not present but know he was allowed to own and did own property before and during the war. I know he owned a Horse and some Cows.

R. Walthour

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th Feby [February] 1878

Henry Way
Special Cmr [Commissioner]

Report of the Special Agent Avery

The claimant in this claim, is the only really prosperous one among the Liberty County claimants. He is said to have feared the slavery of debt as much as he did the old slavery. Ask anyone is his vicinity how Jacob Dryer is getting on and the reply is splendid. He has not bought any corn since the surrender. My own impression, unproved, is that Jacob Dryer came out of the war better off than he had ever been. The Hon. [Honorable] Comir [Commissioner] of Claims will notice that the class or grade of horses and mules taken through Georgia was low. Necessarily they could not stand hard service, and nine in ten of the horses or mules taken in one neighborhood, were abandoned in the next. James Horton, a South Carolina claimant, told me that and [2 words] head of horses were abandoned on the place occupied by him in Georgia, and to which he had refuged. Some were reclaimed by their old owners, but generally anybody took them who chose. He got two or three himself, but he did not credit the Government with them.The Liberty county claimants are reputed to have fallen heir to more stock, clothing, pots and kettles and tin dishes than they lost, but they will not now acknowledge it; either because they have forgotten or do not intend to tell the truth about it.

W. A. Golding swears in regards to this claimant: “He lives near me now. If I am not mistaken he had two horses. He owned a stock mare, and raised horses. He had cattle and hogs. He belonged to the Walthour’s, and was pretty well off. He has never bought a bushel of corn since the war.”

I think the testimony of claimant, as to facts, may be relied on. He lost a mare; wagon, at least five years old, and that originally cost $50; a few small hogs; and his chickens, and old harness.

The corn, rice, cloth and clothing, excepting one suit, had been furnished by the master, and belonged to the master.

Very respectfully,
R. B. Avery
Sp’l Agt [Special Agent]

Hon. [Honorable] Comir [Commissioner] of Claims,
Washington, D.C.

Additional Testimony of Claimant

Testimony [image 135] of claimant Jacob Dryer, colored, taken under oath, at Walthourville, Liberty County, Ga. June 4th, 1878.

Repeat this oath: I Jacob Dryer, do solemnly swear that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to all matters whereof I may be questioned: so help me God.

Who fixed up your claim for you?

The first claim was Mr. Simms. I paid him seventy five cents. The next was Mr. Hillyer. I think Mr. Simms turned it over to him. He charged me twenty dollars. I told him I could not pay that much, and he dropped it right there. At last he told me them that paid him he would receive the money for them. He done nothing for me, and I didn’t pay him anything. The last time the Government and me accord, that all that didn’t meet at No. 3 [A&G Railroad], and put in their claim would lose it. Mr. [word] Cassell – Q. Cassell – sent a warrant for us to convene at No. 3. I went there, and he got the Clerk of the Court to come there – Mr. Way, and he sweared them, and had the claims fixed up. He cost me $9, and I’ve got to pay Mr. Cassell when the money comes. It was Mr. Way who swore us.

Where were you living when the raid came through?

At a place they called Westfield. It belonged to Mr. Walthour. I belonged to him too. I was a slave. I had some property. I had a horse, cows, wagon, hogs, ducks and fowls, two harnesses.

What kind of a horse did you have?

A black mare. I could not tell how long I had it, for I raised it from a colt. I had a mare. I got a mare off my fathers property. I had three horses when the raid come. They didn’t get but one. One died after they gone.

Where did you get these horses?

I told you my father give me a colt, and I raised it. That had another colt. I swapped it once. With Joe, who belongs to Mr. ?William? Way. The other two were from the same mare father gave me. One was a bay, and one a sorrel and the other a dark black. That is what the raid meet me with. The raid only got one. They took two, but one got away from them and when he got home I hid him away. The one they got was a grown filly. It was a good sized horse. About the size of my mule.

What kind of a wagon did you have?

A one-horse wagon, four wheels. I believe I didn’t have it more than two years. I bought it from a man named Joe Hines. I couldn’t really tell exactly what I give for it. I think I give fifty dollars. No that was not Confederate money. It was silver and United States bank notes. Oh, yes: I bought it before the war.

How many hogs did you have?

I think about 12 head of hogs. They were all large hogs. Most of all them was large hogs. Two were old sows. One of the sows had three small pigs. All the balance was grown hogs. They had him on good range, and was good meat hogs.

What fowls did you have?

A good lot. I don’t remember how many. I can’t remember.

Did you have any cloth?

Yes. White col cloth. Master bought for me. He gave it to me to dress the family with. I think it was 12 yards. It may be more, but I’d rather be under than over.

Did you have any bees?

Yes. I had ten or fifteen hives. I don’t remember exactly. I know I had a good lot. It was down on the claim.

You said you had two harness. What kind were they?

One was a new harness. I got it at Savannah. I gave 10 dollars for it. The other was second hand. I bought it out here, and gave $6. Oh! de war had been going on but didn’t get here den. When I bought them, I bought the second hand one before the war commenced. When I got the wagon.

Did you have any corn?

Yes, sir. I did know how much once. I raised it. No, sir. Not all of it. Master gave me some. He gave me about 45 bushels. I had a good long patch. I had my own horse and plowed for myself. More than an acre, that aint but four tasks. I think I had pretty near 50 bushels. I had it in the house. I had it in the house I lived in. I had only two rooms. Two rooms, I don’t know whether the house is standing yet or not. I had it on the loft, and in one room. I didn’t measure the corn. The soldiers were camped right before my door, and two wagons come and carried it off to another company. There were more than two wagons there but only two carried corn, and rice from me.

How much rice did you have?

I had about 40 bushels. I had one acre and a half. I had myself and wife worked the corn and rice. Master gave me time to work my crops.

Your corn and rice you say were carried off in two wagons?

Yes, sir. [word] company had been right before my door. They destroyed a good deal. They had been there for one week. They killed the chickens and pigs, and carried off my rice and corn.

Did you have any cows taken?

Yes, sir. I had four cows, but they didn’t take them. They had them in a brush pen, and one night they all got out. Mine and the rest, and mine come back after they went away. There is something I haint [haven’t] heard you ax [ask], but I had some valuable suits of clothing. I don’t know whether I will get anything for them.

What clothing did you have?

I had one suit of black, that I paid ten dollars for in Savannah. That was a new suit, just been bought. They didn’t left [leave] me a rag but what I had on my back. I bought several suits myself. I valued this one suit because it was new. I think I [word] five or six suits. I had a good sum of clothes that master bought for me, and all the good ones I bought for myself. That is all but my bed clothing and crockery were in the house. They took all that, and when I told them about it they said to come with them, and they would feed me.

Please read this over, and tell me if it is correct.

Yes, sir. That is all.

Jacob Dryer
Attest
R. B. Avery
Sp’l Com’r [Special Commissioner]

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[image 138]

[copy of requisition #2030 dated April 10, 1879, for $152 for Jacob Dryer.] 

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[image 139]

[copy of the draft for $152.] 

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[image 140]

Gentlemen, whom do you recognize as attorney in claim no. 20685 Jacob Dryer of Ga?

Truly

Horace Austin
Auditor

[Answer] Gilmore & Co
Chas. F. Benjamin
Clerk
Mch 19/79

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Comments by Attorney

Special Agent Avery remarks at close of his report in this case that “the corn, rice, cloth and clothing (excepting one suit) had been furnished by the master and belonged to the master.”

But it is obvious to remark that if these things had not been taken from claimant by the army, he would have had them after “freedom came,” and were to all intents his property. It seems to us hardly necessary to argue that claimant was free practically after the raid and had to depend upon himself for his supplies from that time one [on]. What he had when the “raid came” would have been his after he was thrown upon himself for a living, if the army had not taken it. And of course he would have had the profit and enjoyment of it.

To say that this property belonged to the master and that therefore it should not be paid for does not look very well from the high moral anti-slavery standpoint.

Gilmore & Co
per Richards
Attys [Attorney’s]

——————–

Jacob Dryer
No. 20685

“He lives near me now.”
“If I am not mistaken he had two horses”
“He owned a stock mare and raised horses. He had cattle and hogs.”
“He belongs to the Walthour’s and was pretty well off.”
“He has never bought a bushel of corn since the war.”
“He makes all he lives on.”

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

State of Georgia
No 20685
Jacob Dryer
Allowed $152.00

We are the attorneys of Record in this case having filed with the Commissioners of Claims a power of attorney from J. M. Simms to Messrs Chipman, Hosmer and Co [Company] to prosecute all the claims in which he has a power of attorney.

Mch [March] 11, 1879
Gilmore & Co [Company]

Ga. 20685 EX
Doubt Enough to justify [word]

Son of old Master says he owned a horse and cows before war.

[word]
EX

Jacob Dryer 40 years old – ( [4-5 words] slave till end of war – belonged to G.W. Walthour. The witnesses are Sam’l [Samuel] Maxwell, who has a claim, and Russell Walthour, son of former owner who testifies in all these cases that they were allowed to own property. (Query – what share does he get?) The horse and wagon ?no? sets of harness, 50 bush [bushel] corn are very [word] belongings ?for? a plantation slave who didn’t hire his time.