In 1878, Paul LeConte, a formerly enslaved man, submitted a Southern Claims Commission petition for $160.75 in compensation for rice, honey, hogs, corn, potatoes, fowl, and crockery that he claimed was stolen from his home on Halifax farm in Liberty County, Georgia, by U.S. troops in December 1864. The Commissioners of Claims allowed only $47 of the claim, complaining that the Special Commissioner, Henry Way, appointed to hear the testimony had taken the evidence very poorly. LeConte reported that John L. Harden was his slaveowner.
LeConte testified that the troops, commanded by General Kilpatrick, were camped at Midway [Church], and that about 50 men on horseback came with two wagons to take his property. He said that an officer present assured him that he would get it all back. Witnesses Titus Alvin and Sharper Williams, also formerly enslaved, testified that they had known LeConte all their lives and that they witnessed the property’s confiscation. They also named Boston Polite, Edwin Williams, Toney Golding, Gus Law, Brister Fleming, Bill Tyson, and Peter Jenkins as people who could testify as to LeConte’s loyalty to the Union, which was a requirement for obtaining compensation from the Southern Claims Commission.
In cases where formerly enslaved people were claimants, the Claims Commission normally sought to take testimony from a white landowner who knew the claimant. In LeConte’s case it was Gideon B. Dean, who testified that he had known Paul LeConte all his life and lived about three miles from him. He said that while he was not there when the troops took LeConte’s property, he did know that he was allowed to own property.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
What else can we know from online records about Paul LeConte?
For more about the life of people enslaved on the LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation, see this link. Descendants of people enslaved there still live in the same area, and hold reunions. A great deal has been documented about the LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and the people enslaved there, and the descendants of the enslaved people, many of whom took the surname LeConte (variously spelled LaCounte, LeCounte, LeCount), are numerous in the local area, and of course know much more about their history than is presented here. This analysis is based only on online records.
According to census records, Paul LeConte was born sometime between 1835-1841 [1]. In his Southern Claims Commission petition, LeConte said that his slaveowner during the war was John L. Harden, whom he said was dead, and that he was on Halifax plantation when the U.S. troops came through.
John LeConte Harden was not dead when LeConte presented his SCC claim. He did not die until 1902 [2]. It also appears that Harden may only have technically been Paul LeConte’s slaveowner. Harden’s father, Dr. John McPherson Berrien Harden, died in 1848, leaving a young family for his wife, Jane LeConte Harden, daughter of prominent Liberty County landowner and slaveowner Louis LeConte, to raise [3]. Louis LeConte had owned Woodmanston Plantation, and the Hardens had built Halifax house in 1843 on the portion of the LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation Jane LeConte Harden inherited [4].
Normally an estate of Dr. Harden’s size would be inventoried and appraised shortly after the owner’s death, and then appraised again and divided every time an heir came of age, to allow that heir to take his or her portion, with the rest remaining in the estate.
It was no different with Harden’s estate. However, Paul was not listed in the original appraisal of Dr. John M.B. Harden’s estate after his death in 1848 [5]. In May 1848, Mrs. Harden, as the estate administrator, brought in appraisers to inventory the estate, which had a total value of $14,832.64, of which the enslaved people comprised $11,513. Paul was not listed. He should have been born by then, so it appears that he was not owned by Dr. Harden at the latter’s death.
However, he was part of the Harden estate by the final division in 1862, when Paul was in the lot that was drawn by Mrs. Jane LeConte Harden, not John LeConte Harden [6]. Jane Harden did not die until after the Civil War so it was not a case of John L. Harden’s having inherited him [7]. However, since women were unable to own property in their own name at the time, and Jane Harden was a widow, it is likely that her son John L. Harden was her trustee.
So where might Paul LeConte have come from? Given that he took the surname LeConte at Emancipation, it is likely that he had a connection to the LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation, as many of the enslaved families there took that surname after Emancipation. Jane LeConte’s father, Louis LeConte, died in 1838 when Mrs. Harden was already married. When Louis LeConte’s estate was divided in July 1838, Dr. John M.B. Harden received his wife’s portion, 41 enslaved people [8]. Although Paul is not listed among them, given the time frame, it is very possible that one of the women was pregnant with him, thus this document may be a clue to his parentage.
It appears that Paul LeConte had a wife and at least one child by the end of the Civil War. In the 1870 census, he is listed with wife Matilda, and their children Louisa/Lucy (7), Alfred (4) and Belfast (2), living near the McIntosh Post Office. The 1900 census, which normally lists the date of marriage, said they were married in 1865, but this is likely just the date their union was formalized. Paul and Matilda remained married, with their children living nearby, until death parted them in the 1920’s. Three more children were born: Francis (about 1873), Eva (about 1874), and Catharine (about 1880). Lucy married Alfred Stewart, and her death certificate in 1935 stated that her mother’s maiden name was Matilda Brock [9].
Paul LeConte is first recorded as purchasing land in July 1901, when he paid $50 for land bounded on the north by Sandy Run road, where the censuses recorded him as living until his death [10]. He bought the land from the Darien and Western Railroad of McIntosh County. It was located in Liberty County’s 15th District: a 100-acre tract bounded on the south by Captain N.T. Hewitt, east by “lands of Harden” and west again by N.T. Hewitt, and was said to be land that J.L. Harden [presumably John LeConte Harden] had originally sold to the Darien and Western Railroad.
It does appear, however, that he owned land prior to this, as in October 1899, Paul LeConte and his sons Alfred and Belfast sold timber rights to the Hilton and Dodge Lumber Company for $50 to a 140-acre tract of land bounded north by the Joseph Bacon estate, east by Col. E.P. [Edward Payson] Miller, south by “Harden” and west by Col. E.P. Miller, land that was said to have been purchased from James Winslow about 27 years previously [11]. This was a 10-year contract, leaving LeConte only the right to use rail timber for farm purposes on the land itself (implying that he was farming there as well), and LeConte certified that he had clear title to the land.
In June 1909, this contract was renewed, but this time Paul, Alfred, and Belfast LeConte received $475 from the Hilton and Dodge Lumber Company for the timber rights. The land was described as bounded north by E.P. Miller and “estate of Bacon”, east by E.P. Miller and Titus Alvin, south by lands of Hilton & Dodge Co, and west by lands of E.P. Miller. They again certified that they had clear title to the land [12].
In March 1880, LeConte signed over a lien on his rice crop to R. Jordan & Co. of Liberty County for seemingly harsh terms. In exchange for $30, LeConte had to turn over the entire rice crop, along with all other saleable crops he had that year, to R. Jordan & Co, which would in turn sell the crops, deduct the lien out of the “net proceeds” (presumably deducting “expenses” as well), and then return the balance to LeConte. [13]
On September 12, 1925, Paul’s son Alfred LeCounte was appointed as administrator on Paul’s estate, Paul having died without a will. [14]
Citations:
[1] Federal censuses naming Paul LeConte: 1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 180, p. 36, dwelling #336, family #336, enumerated on November 25, 1870, by Robert Q. Baker, Paul LeConte, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020); 1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Dictrict 15, enumeration district 67, p. 49, dwelling #534, family #535, Paul LeConte; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020); 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 81, sheet #13, line number 55-57, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020); 1910 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 114, p. 14B, line number 64-66, house #351, dwelling #352, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020); 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 124, p. 8B, house #180, dwelling #197, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020).
[2] Find A Grave Index, Memorial ID 43647103, John LeConte Harden, birth 2 Jul 1839, death 20 Jan 1901, Walthourville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Walthourville, Liberty County, Georgia; digital image:https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43647103, includes photo of tombstone.
[3] Stephens, Lester D., “Of Mercury, Moses, and Medicine: Views of Dr. John M.B. Harden.” The Georgia Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 59, Issue 4 (Winter, 1975), pp 402-415. Accessed online at https://www.jstor.org/stable/40580216, 5/18/2020.
[4] “LeConte Women,” LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and Botanical Garden National Historic Site website. Accessed online at http://leconte-woodmanston.org/history-lecontewomen.html, 5/20/2020.
[5] Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol. B 1823-1850, p. 447-450, Estate Appraisement of Dr. J.M.B. Harden; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol. B” image #664-5. Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2018/09/24/liberty-county-estate-inventory-dr-john-m-b-harden/)
[6] Liberty County Superior Court, Deeds and Mortgages Records Book P, p. 207-210, Estate Appraisement and division of Dr. John M.B. Harden; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958; Deeds & Mortgages, v. O-P 1854-1870; Record Book P, p. 207-210, image #475-7. Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/02/21/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-j-m-b-harden/)
[7] “LeConte Women,” LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and Botanical Garden National Historic Site website. Accessed online at http://leconte-woodmanston.org/history-lecontewomen.html, 5/20/2020.
[8] Liberty County Superior Court, Deeds and Mortgages Records Book L, p. 19-21, Estate Appraisement and division of Louis LeConte; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958; Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842; Record Book L, p. 19-21, image #336-7. Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2019/12/18/liberty-county-estate-inventory-lewis-leconte-2/)
[9] “Georgia, Death Index, 1914-1940,” film #004568964, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/20/2020); Lucy Stewart, Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia, certificate #31859, 16 Nov 1935, buried Cross Road cemetery, occupation midwife, father Paul LeConte, mother Matilda Brock.
[10] Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AJ 1908-1910,” p. 193, William Clifton, Attorney at Law of McIntosh County for F.M. McFarland Esq, President of the Darien and Western Railroad of McIntosh County, to Paul LeCounte; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AJ 1908-1910” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958; Deeds, v. AI-AJ 1907-1910,” image #192, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5QF8?i=444&cat=292358, accessed 5/20/2020)
[11] Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AD 1901,” p. 250, Paul LeConte, Alfred LeConte, Belfast LeConte to Hilton & Dodge Lumber Company; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AD 1901” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958; Deeds, v. AC-AD 1896-1901,” image #476, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-591Y-8?cat=292358, accessed 5/20/2020)
[12] Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AJ 1908-1910,” p. 349-50, Paul LeConte, A.B. LeConte, Belfast LeConte to Hilton & Dodge Lumber Company; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AJ 1908-1910” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958; Deeds, v. AI-AJ 1907-1910,” image #523, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-542K?i=522&cat=292358, accessed 5/20/2020)
[13] Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. S 1877-1882,” p. 563, Paul LeConte to R. Jordan & Co, Liberty County; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. S 1877-1882” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #325, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSLD-C?cat=292358, accessed 5/20/2020)
[14] Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Letters of Administration, 1801-1955, p. 124, Letters of Administration, Alfred LeCounte for estate of Paul LeCounte; digital image, Ancestry.com, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Letters of Administration, 1801-1955,” image #433. Accessed online, 5/20/2020.
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
Amount of Claim: $160.75
Total Amount Allowed: $47
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Liberty County
Incident occurred in: Halifax Farm, Liberty County, Georgia
Claim #: 20674
Secondary Claim #: 51866
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-07-29
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-02-21, 1877-11-06
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms, Savannah; Gilmore & Co, Washington, D.C.
Property Removed to: the Army Camp
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-21
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-12-13
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
Witnesses to be Called: | Purpose |
Sharper Williams | |
Joseph Box [did not testify] | |
Titus Alvin | |
Gideon B. Dean |
Items Claimed
Item # | Description | Amt Claimed | Amt Allowed | Amt Disallowed |
1 | 10 bushels of rice | 20 | 20 | |
2 | 5 hives of honey | 20 | 20 | |
3 | 2 hogs | 20 | 10 | 10 |
4 | 12 bushels of corn | 12 | 12 | |
5 | 10 bushels of potatoes | 10 | 5 | 5 |
6 | 15 fowls & 12 ducks | 16.50 | 16.50 | |
7 | 15 crockery plates | 2.25 | 2.25 | |
TOTALS | 100.75 | 47.00 | 53.75 |
Transcription
Remarks: We refer to No. 20657 as illustrating the grounds upon which we allow or disallow the claims of these colored people formerly slaves. The Spl. Comm’r has taken the evidence very poorly in many of these cases, & it is hard that his negligence & want of diligence should work to the injury of claim’ts [claimants].
In this case the rice, hogs, corn & potatoes are of a kind clam’t [claimant] might have raised by his own industry — the amounts small — & his master allowed his slaves to raise & own such property. We therefore allow a small amount ($47.00).
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commers [Commissioners] of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Paul LeConte, 38 years, Liberty County Ga, Raised here, 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?
I am claimant.
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 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 Georgia. 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.
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. Bought it from different People. Labored for means. John L. Hardin, dead. He is not witness because dead. No. No. No. No. No one.
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. 10 Bushels Rice, 5 Bee Hives, 2 Hogs, 12 Bush [Bushel] Corn, 10 Barrels Potatoes, 15 Fowls, 6 Pr Turkeys, 15 pieces of crockery.
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.
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 was afraid.
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 at Midway.
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 Rice was thresed [threshed]. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 10 Bushels I measured it. Worth 2 dollars a bushel. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army carried off in wagons over 50 Men and Horses. 2 wagons. 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by Stripes. Said we would get it all back. Heard officer tell men to take it.
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 Bee Hives were full of Honey. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Georgia. 5 Hives counted them. Worth about 2 dollars a piece. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army broke hives and took out honey. Over 50 men and horses, 2 wagons. 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Said nothing. Believe officer ordered because he was there.
The hogs were Bacon hogs. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 2 hogs worth 9 or 10 dollars apiece. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Killed Hogs and carried off in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses, 2 wagons. 2 or 3 hours to Camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer order men to take them.
The Corn was shucked and shelled. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 12 bushels measured. Worth one dollar a bushel. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put in sacks in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses, 2 wagons. 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. I heard officer tell men to take it.
The Potatoes were in barrels. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 10 barrels measured them. Worth 10 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put them in wagon. About 50 Men and Horses. 2 wagons. About 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them.
The Fowls and Turkeys were grown. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 15 Fowls and 6 Turkeys. Counted them. Worth about 16 or 17 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Caught and carried them off in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 wagons. About 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them.
The crockery were plates. Mr Hardens plantation. Liberty County Ga. 15 pieces counted them. Worth 2 or 3 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put them in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 wagons. About 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them.
Paul LeConte
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Nov 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Titus Alvin)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Titus Alvin. 44 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. Not interested in claim.
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?
Paul LeConte.
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?
About ½ mile.
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
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.
Nothing.
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.
Nothing.
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.
All knew him to be a union man. I knew it because I was with him all the time.
Boston Polite Edwin Williams
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 Golding, 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 conduct.
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?
Paul LeConte 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. 8 or 900 acres. 150 or 200 acres in cultivation.
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
Don’t know.
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. 10 Bushels Rice, 5 Bee Hives, 2 Hogs, 12 Bush [Bushel] Corn, 10 Barrells [Barrels] Potatoes, 12 Fowls, and 6 pr Turkies [Turkey’s], 15 pieces Crockery.
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 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 was afraid.
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 Rice was thresed [threshed]. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 10 Bush [Bushels]. Saw it measured. Worth 2 dollars a bushel. December 14 1864. Kilpatricks Army put in wagon. About 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
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 Hives were at Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 5 Hives, I counted them. Worth 2 dollars a piece. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army broke Hives and took out Honey. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
The Hogs were Bacon Hogs. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 2 hogs. Worth 20 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army Killed them and carried off in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to Camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
The Corn was shelled. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 12 bush [bushels] saw it measured. Worth one dollar a bushel. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army put in wagon. 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
The Potatoes were in Barrels. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 10 Barrells [Barrels] saw them measured. Worth one dollar a barrell [barrel]. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army put them in wagon. 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
The Fowls and Turkies [Turkeys] were grown. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 15 Fowls and 6 [word] Turkies [Turkeys]. Worth 17 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army Killed them put them in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them.
The crockery were plates. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 15 Plates counted them. Worth 3 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army put them in wagon. Over 50 Men and Horses. 2 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present. Heard officer tell men to take them.
Titus Alvin
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Nov 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Sharper Williams)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Sharper Williams, 34 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, not interested in claim.
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?
Paul LeConte.
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?
About ½ mile.
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
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.
Heard nothing.
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. Have heard him say he was union during war.
Bill Tyson, Peter Jenkins.
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 Golding, 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 action.
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?
Paul LeConte 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. About 900 acres. About 150 acres cultivated.
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
Don’t know.
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. 10 Bush [Bushel] Rice, 5 Bee Hives, 2 Hogs, 12 Bush [Bushel] Corn, 10 Barrells [Barrels] Potatoes, 16 Fowls, and 6 pr [pair] Turkeys, 15 pieces Crockery.
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.
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 were afraid.
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 in camp.
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 Rice was housed and threshed. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 10 Bushels, saw it measured worth 2 dollars a bushel. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put Rice in wagon. 30 or 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. About 2 or 3 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it.
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 Hives were full of Honey. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 5 Hives worth about 2 dollars a piece. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Broke up Hives and took out Honey. 30 or 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer order men to take Honey.
The Hogs were Bacon Hogs. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 2 Hogs worth 10 dollars a piece. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Killed Hogs and put them in Wagon. 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. About 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them for use of Army.
The Corn was Shelled. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 12 Bush [Bushel] saw it measured, worth one dollar a bushel. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Sacked it and carried off in wagon. 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. 2 hours to Camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take it for their Stock.
The Potatoes was in Barrells [Barrells]. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 10 Barrells [Barrels] saw them measured, worth one dollar a barrell [barrel]. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put them in wagon. 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. 2 hours to camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them for Army.
The Fowls and Turkies [Turkeys] were all grown. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 15 Fowls and 12 Turkies [Turkeys]. Counted them, worth 17 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Killed them and carried them off in wagon. 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. 2 hours to Camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them for Army.
The Crockery was Plates. Mr Hardens plantation, Liberty County Ga. 15 Plates counted them, worth 3 dollars. December 14th 1864. Kilpatricks Army. Put them in wagon. 40 Men and Horses. 3 Wagons. 2 hours to Camp. One officer present knew by dress. Heard officer tell men to take them for Army.
Sharper Williams
Sworn to and Subscribed Before me this 8th Nov 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Gideon B. Dean)
Additional evidence in case of Paul LeConte Col. Liberty County Ga on claim 20674
Gideon B. Dean third witness for claimant answers the questions as follows:
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Gideon B. Dean aged 37 years McIntosh 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 success of this claim.
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?
Paul LeConte
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?
About 3 miles
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Frequently
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.
Heard nothing
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. 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?
All knew him as a Union man I knew it because I was with him much during war
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?
Don’t know
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 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.
Was not present but know he was allowed & did own property before & during the war.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 21 Feb 1878
Henry Way Specl Commr [Special Commissioner]
[Signed] Gideon B. Dean
——————–
Attorney’s Statement
We are the Attorneys of Record in this case, having filed with the Commissioners of Claims a power of attorney form [word] J. M. Simms to Chipman Hosmer [word] to prosecute all the claims in which he has a power of attorney.
Mch [March] 11/79
Gilmore & Co
[Transcriber’s note: Image 104 was a draft to Paul LeConte for $47.00 from the United States. Image 105 was a request from the Treasury Department Third Auditor’s Office to be informed who the attorney was in Paul LeConte’s claim. Neither image transcribed.]
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