In 1877, Jackson Williams testified before the Southern Claims Commission in an attempt to get compensation for property he said was taken from him by troops of the U.S. Army in December 1864 while he was enslaved in Liberty County, Georgia. The Commission disallowed his claim for $181.75 for a cow, 4 bacon hogs, 8 stock hogs, chickens, ducks, guinea fowls, hives of honey, corn, rice, and bacon, on the grounds that there was not sufficient evidence that he had actually owned property, despite testimony by a former slaveholder’s wife that he was allowed to own property.
Williams said that he was owned during the war by Ned Hines, who was dead by the time of the claim. Sarah J. Hines testified for Williams as the widow of his former owner (though it appears the Commission may have misunderstood the relationship). He said that at the time of the raid by the Sherman’s Army troops commanded by General Kilpatrick, he was on “Mr. Hines” plantation, and about 50 or 60 troops came with 25 wagons and took his property.
Prime Hargreaves, who said he was 75 years old and had lived in Liberty County all his life, testified for Williams as a witness who saw the property taken. He corroborated his account, and said he had known Williams for 20 years, and had lived on the same place he did during the war. He said that Will Bacon and Moses Wood could testify as to Williams’ loyalty to the Union cause, and that Tony Golding and Brister Fleming were prominent “Union people” in the area who could also so testify. He testified that Williams had complained to the troops taking his property but had not asked for a receipt because “we were all afraid of them.”
Thomas Miller also testified as a witness, saying he was 40 years old and had lived in Liberty County all his life. Both Hargreaves and Miller said they were not related to Williams; Miller said he had known Williams all his life and lived on the same place during the war so saw him all the time.
Sarah J. Hines, identified by the SCC officers as the widow of Williams’ former owner, testified that she was 50 years old and had lived in Liberty County all her life. She said she had known Williams since 1855, and that he lived on her husband’s place during the war and she saw him occasionally. She said she was not there when the property was taken but did know that he was allowed to own property and that his wife’s father who lived on her husband’s place did own property during the war.
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore Cole; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
Research on another Liberty County claimant, Augustus (Gus) Williams, revealed that Augustus and Jack Williams were brothers, and that their mother was probably Betsey. They were included in the 1841 inventory and division of Lewis Hines. The estate was divided several times after that as Hines’ minor children came of age; Jack was drawn in an 1855 division by Hines’ son Edward H. Hines, and Augustus was gifted to Edward Hines in 1859 by Edward’s mother Ann Hines. In 1860, Edward, 19, was living with Ann Hines near Way Station in Bryan County. Ned is a common nickname for Edward, explaining why Jack Williams had identified his slaveowner as Ned Hines.
Because Edward Hines was so young during the Civil War and did not have his own establishment, it is very likely that Jack and Augustus were loaned or hired out to other family members, which explains why Mrs. Sarah J. Hines, who was NOT Edward Hines’ widow, had testified that Jack was on her husband’s place during the war. The SCC officers appear to have misunderstood the testimony. In fact, Sarah J. Hines was the widow of Charlton Hines, who was Lewis Hines’ brother and who died around 1864. Note that it appears that Jack Williams’ wife’s father (and perhaps his wife) lived in Charlton Hines’ plantation, according to Sarah’s testimony.
In the 1870 census, Jack, said to be 30 years old with unspecified property worth $150, was living with wife Daphney, 25, and daughter Rebecca, 2, next to brother Gus and his family. Other surnames nearby were Holmes, Bacon, and Jenkins. The 1870 census unfortunately does not specify relationships, but also living in the household were Minty Pray, 23, children Sam Goulding (7), Ann Goulding (4), and Charley Goulding (1), plus Flora Pray (50).
Given the ages, it seems possible that Minty Prey, who may have been mother of the children (based on the order in which the names were given) could have been Daphney’s sister and Flora their mother. That is just speculation, but in fact Charlton Hines’ May 1864 estate inventory listed a Flora and Daphne in order, with Flora’s value ($250) consistent with either an older woman or a young child, and Daphne’s ($1200) consistent with a woman in the prime of her life. Listed directly after Daphne is Moultrie ($250). This could not be Daphne’s son Moultrie, who was 3 in 1880. Remember that Sarah J. Hines testified that Jack’s wife’s father lived on her husband Charlton Hines’ plantation. Could he have been this Moultrie, since Daphne named her son after him? Or perhaps this Moultrie is her younger brother.
A Minty ($800) is listed farther down followed by a Sampson, who is listed as an infant (value $200), who is probably the Sam/Samson mentioned in the 1870 and 1880 censuses as being in Jack Williams’ household.
In the 1880 census, Jack and Daphne were living with daughter Rebecca, now 10, and children Ann (8), Augustus (5), and Moultre (3), as well as with Samson Gaulden (15) and Prince Prey, identified as nephews. Next door was Mitty Thompson (31), who presumably was the same woman who was identified as Minty Pray in the 1870 census, as she had living with her daughter Anne S. Holmes (12), sons Charley Prey (9) and Joseph Prey (5), and daughters Alice Prey (7) and Vicki Jackson (3). Jack Williams’ brother Augustus was living nearby.
By 1900, Jack Williams, now in his early 60’s, was listed as being a widower. Living in his household were James Williams (15) and Rebecca Williams (14), who were identified as his son and daughter, but given their ages and especially given the fact that Williams already had an older daughter named Rebecca, were perhaps more likely his grandchildren. Also in the household were his daughter Ann with her husband Fortune Anderson and their children, Jackson M. (3), William (2), and Abe (infant).
Unfortunately, no records were found for Jack Williams’ death date, but he does not seem to be listed in the 1910 federal census for Liberty County.
Citations
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 176, p. 23, dwelling #148, family #149, enumerated on November 19, 1870, by John E. Martin, Jack Williams, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7163/4263491_00311/1266990: accessed 6/7/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Dictrict 15, enumeration district 67, p. 9, dwelling #94, family #95, Jack Williams; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6742/4240148-00409/8767662: accessed 6/7/2020).
1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 80, sheet #16, line number 78-85, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7602/4120071_00576/9154252: accessed 6/7/2020).
Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Book “C”, 1863-1873, p. 65, Estate Inventory and Appraisement of Charlton Hines; digital image, Ancestry.com, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Wills 1863-1942 vol C-D,” image #43. Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net (https://theyhadnames.net/2020/06/02/augustus-williams-southern-claims-commission/)
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 link.
Summary
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Williams, Jackson
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $181.75
Total Amount Allowed: Disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Gashen [or Goshen], Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in: Walthourville
Claim #: 20704
Secondary Claim #:
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1874-09-29
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-02-08
Claimant’s Attorney: James M. Simms, Savannah, GA: Gilmore & Co, Washington, DC; Hosmer & Co, Washington, DC:
Property Removed to: the Camp of the Army
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]: 1878-01-12
Post Office of Claimant: No. 3 Atlantic & Gulf Rail Road
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: [image 10418] The claimant is a colored man & formerly the slave of one Hines of Liberty Co. Ga. He says he obtained his freedom at the end of the war. The title to property taken from slaves must appear by the proofs to be such as the master recognized. In some instances slaves accumulated a little property & exercised ownership over it with the consent of their masters. In such cases the property was usually pigs, poultry, products of a small garden & sometimes honey. The little corn rice & bacon they possessed was as rations or in the place of rations. Williams’ former master is dead. His widow is a witness. All she says on the question of ownership is as follows “I knew he was allowed to own property and I knew that his wife’s father who lived on my husband’s place did own property during the war.” Being allowed to own property does not show that claimant did own any property, much less the particular property for which this claim is made. And Mrs. Hines may have [image 10419] referred to pigs poultry honey & such articles as are not regarded as army supplies. The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims
Testimony of Witness (Mrs. Sarah J. Hines)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Sarah J. Hines aged 50 years Liberty County all my life
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
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Jackson Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
Ever since 1855
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On my husband’s place.
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him occasionally.
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.
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.
Don’t know.
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?
Don’t know as I took no part in politics.
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 had nothing to do with it.
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.
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 not present & saw nothing taken but know he was allowed to own property and I know that his wife’s father who lived on my husband’s place did own property during the war.
[Signed] S.J. Hines
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 8th Feby 1878
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Claimant [taken October 25, 1877]
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
[image 10401] Jackson Williams 38 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?
Am claimant
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 & 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 2000 acres 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 asked only of women]
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 the money & bought it worked for means. Ned Hines dead he is not witness because dead no no no no
[Question 71 not applicable]
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 1 milch cow 4 bacon hogs 8 stock 30 head fowls 4 ducks 8 guinea fowls 5 bee hives 30 bush corn 15 bush rice 75 lbs bacon
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.
Complaint was made I made no good
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 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 [image 10402] camped not far off
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 cow was milch cow Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga worth $25.00 dollars December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed & butchered her carried off in wagon 50 or 60 men over 50 horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by stripes said nothing I believe officer told men to kill it because he was there and did not prevent 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 bacon hogs were fat Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 4 hogs worth $8 or 9 dollars a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them in pen put them in wagon 50 or 60 men over 50 horses 25 wagons about ¼ hour to camp 1 officer present said nothing I knew officer told them because they were there.
The stock hogs were sows & shoats Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 8 head counted them worth about 3 or 4 dollars a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army shot some & caught rest butchered them put them in wagon 50 or 60 men over 50 horses 25 wagons about 1/2 hour to camp [image 10403] 1 officer present said nothing I knew officer ordered it because they were there.
The fowls were all grown Mr. Hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 30 head I counted them worth 25 or 30 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s army caught them tied them to saddles about 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by stripes said nothing I know officer told men to take them because he was present.
The ducks were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 4 ducks counted them 50 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s army caught them & tied them to saddles about 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by stripes said nothing I know officer told men to take them because he was present.
The guinea fowls were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 8 head counted them worth 30 or 40 cts a head December 18 or 19, 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army shot them and tied them to saddles about 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present [image 10404] knew by stripes said nothing I know officer told men to take them because he was present
The hives were full of honey Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 5 hives counted them worth one dollar a piece December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army broke hives & took out honey in buckets pans etc 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by stripes said nothing I know he ordered it because he was there.
The corn was shucked in ear Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 30 bushels I measured it worth one dollar a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army threw it [in] wagons 50 or 60 men on horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp one officer present knew by dress said nothing I know officer told me to take it because he was there.
The rice was threshed Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 15 bushels I measured it worth 2 dollars a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army threw it [in] wagons & fed horses on [10405] it 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing I know officer told men to take it because he was present.
The bacon was in hour Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 75 lbs I weighted it worth 25 cts a lb December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army put it [in] wagon 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about ½ hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress I knew officer told men to take it because he was present.
[signed] Jackson Williams [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 25th Oct 1877
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Prime Hargraves)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Prime Hargraves 75 years Liberty County all my life farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Jackson Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
20 years intimately
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 all the time [image 10406]
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.
Did not talk much about war.
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.
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 looked upon him as Union by his actions Will Bacon Moses Wood
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Tony 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 heard me say I was union
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?
Jackson Williams by labor
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From plantation Liberty County Ga over 1000 acres 200 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
[Question 69-71 not applicable]
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 1 cow 4 bacon hogs 30 head fowls 4 ducks 8 guinea fowls 5 hives 30 bushels corn 15 bushels rice 75 lbs bacon
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 heard claimant complain to officer no good [image 10407]
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 we were all afraid of them
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.
[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 cow was milch cow Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga worth $25 dollars December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed her on ground carried off in wagon about 50 or 60 men & horses about 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present took him for officer from dress said nothing I believe officer told men because he was present.
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 bacon hogs were fat Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 4 bacon hogs worth about $8 or 9 dollars a piece December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them in pen carried them off in wagons about 50 or 60 men & horses about 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present took him for officer from dress said nothing I know officer ordered men to take it because he was present.
I did not see stock hogs taken.
The fowls were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga [image 10408] 30 head counted them worth about 30 or 35 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army took them out of coop tied them to saddles 50 or 60 men & horses about 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by stripes said nothing I know officer ordered it because he was present.
The ducks were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 4 head counted them worth 50 or 60 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army tied them to saddles about 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing I know officer told men to kill them because he was there.
The guinea fowls were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 8 head counted them worth 30 or 40 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army shot them and tied them to saddles 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing I know officer told men to take them because he was present. [image 10409]
The hives were full Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County GA 5 hives counted them worth one dollar a piece December 18 or 19, 1864 Kilpatrick’s army broke hives & took out honey in buckets pans etc. 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing knew officer ordered it because he was present.
The corn was shucked in ear Mr Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 30 bushels saw it measured worth one dollar a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s army threw it in wagons 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress knew officer told them because he was present.
The bacon was [word] Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga [image 10410] 75 lbs saw it weighed worth 25 or 30 cts a lb December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s army carried it off in wagon 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew from dress said nothing knew officer ordered it taken because he was present.
[signed] Prime Hargraves [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 25th Oct. 1877
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Thomas Miller)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Thomas Miller 40 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 no interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Jackson Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
From boyhood
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
On same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Was with him all the time
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
Did not talk about war
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 [image 10411] 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 he was union man I knew from his talk Moses Wood Richard Barnard
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 Will Bacon Brister Fleming I 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 he did from my talk
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?
Jackson Williams labored 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 1000 acres about 200 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
[Questions 69-71 not applicable]
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 1 cow 4 bacon hogs 8 stock hogs 30 head fowls 4 ducks 8 guinea fowls 5 hives 30 bushels corn 15 bush rice 75 lbs bacon
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.
Complaint was made by claimant no good
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 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.
[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.
[image 10412] The cow was milch cow Mr. hines plantation Liberty County Ga worth 25 dollars December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed co wput it in wagons about 50 or 60 men & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing I knew officer ordered it because he was there.
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 bacon hogs were fat Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 4 head counted them worth 7 or 8 dollars ahead December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed & butchered them put them in wagon 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing know officer told men to take them because he was present.
The stock hogs were sows & shoats Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 8 head of counted them worth 3 or 4 dollars a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army shot them carried them off in wagon 50 or 60 wagons & horses 25 wagons about one hour to camp [image 10413] 1 officer present knew by dress said nothing know officer order it because he was present.
The fowls were grown Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 30 head counted them worth 30 or 40 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them & tied them to saddles 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by stripes said nothing know officer ordered it because he was there.
The ducks were grown Mr. hines Plantation Liberty County Ga 4 head counted them worth 50 or 60 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them & tied them to saddles 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress said nothing know officer told men to take them because he was present.
The guinea fowls were grown Mr. Hines plantation liberty County Ga 8 head counted them worth 40 or 50 cts a head December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them & tied them to saddles 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress [image 10414] believe officer ordered it because he was present.
The hives were full Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 5 hives counted them worth one dollar a piece December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army broke hives took out honey in buckets pans etc 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress believe officer told men to take them because he was present.
The corn was shucked in ear Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 30 bushels saw it measured worth one dollar a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick army threw in wagon 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress believe officer ordered it because he was present.
The rice was threshed Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 15 bushels saw it measured worth 2 dollars a bushel December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s army sacked it & carried it off in wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress believe officer ordered [image 10415] it taken because he was present.
The bacon was in hour Mr. Hines plantation Liberty County Ga 75 lbs saw it weighed worth 25 or 30 cts per lb December 18 or 19 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army carried it off on horses 50 or 60 men & horses 25 or 30 wagons about one hour to camp one officer present knew by dress said nothing believe officer told men to take it because he was present.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 25th Oct 1877
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Thomas Miller [signed by mark]