Claim Summary
Isaac Williams’ 1877 Southern Claims Commission petition for compensation was rejected. Williams had claimed $320 for a “good bay horse,” 5 cows, and a buggy & harness he said were taken from him by U.S. soldiers from Sherman’s Army when they were foraging in Liberty County, Georgia, in December 1864.
The Commission pointed out contradictions in his testimony, noting that he was only in his early 20s when the Civil War started, but he said he had bought the property before the war. They thought it seemed odd that a young enslaved man would be able to own such property at such a young age.
It had been established in the Liberty County claims that enslaved people there did own small amounts of this kind of property, and Williams did have the testimony both of fellow formerly enslaved men Gideon Jackson and Samuel Winn, as well as of white man Gideon B. Dean, who said that Williams had been owned by his father. However, this was not enough to overcome the Commission’s doubts about the testimony, which were complicated by the fact that the SCC’s appointed Special Commissioner at the time, Henry Way, a former Liberty County slaveowner and a prominent judge, submitted such suspiciously similar-sounding and abbreviated testimony for these cases that the Commission reviewed each of his cases with a certain threshold of suspicion.
Whatever the truth, Williams’ claim revealed useful genealogical facts about his life. He first submitted a claim in 1872, and said that he was living at Woodland Plantation then, but had lived at Olive Hill Plantation when the soldiers came in 1864. His testimony was taken in October 1877 by Henry Way, with merchant Robert Q. Cassels present, at Stop #3 of the A&G Railroad in Liberty County. Williams testified that he was 38 years old, lived in Liberty County, and had done so all his life. He said that the property he was claiming had been taken from “Dean’s plantation” in Liberty County, which had about 3000 acres, though only 200 under cultivation, and that his owner, G.B. Dean, was not testifying for him because he was dead. He said he was present when the soldiers took the property.
Samuel Winn testified that he was 38 years old and had lived in Liberty County and known Isaac Williams all his life, and that they had lived on the same place and so he saw him all the time during the war. When asked how he knew that Williams was loyal to the United States, which was a requirement for compensation, he said that everyone knew it and that Williams had helped the soldiers drive the cattle and horse off. He said that Frank Dean and Madison Dean could testify to his loyalty. He testified that the soldiers were camped about two miles away.
Gideon Jackson testified that he was 60 years old, and had known Isaac Williams all Williams’ life and also lived on the same place. He gave essentially the same testimony Winn did.
The Commission normally tried to get testimony by a white man, especially one who had owned the claimant or a member of the owner’s family. In February 1877, Gideon B. Dean testified that he was 37 years old and had lived in (neighboring) McIntosh County all his life. He had known Isaac Williams all his life, he said, and saw him every day before he had belonged to his now deceased father and lived on his father’s place. He said he was not present when the property was taken, but he knew that Williams was allowed to and did own property before and during the war, and that he had owned a horse, buggy, and cattle in Liberty County.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
Isaac Williams himself said he was 38 in 1877, which would put his birth year around 1839. The records naming him after that are a textbook case of how wildly birth years can vary in census records. In the 1870 U.S. federal census for Liberty County, an Isaac Williams was listed as being 40 years old, in household with Patsy Williams, 40. (The 1870 census did not specify relationships.) There were two other Isaac Williams in the 1870 Liberty County census, but one was only 10 months old and the other only 22, so this is most likely to have been Isaac. He was listed living near Sam Winn, who had testified for Isaac Williams’ SCC claim, a further indication that this is probably the right Isaac Williams, despite the variation in birth year.
In the 1880 census, this Isaac Williams, was listed as being 55 (birth year 1825). He is still in household with Patty, now listed as his wife and said to be 45, and there are five children: Isaac (18), Eddy (16), Letty (12), Willby (12), and Paul (7).
The 1890 census burned, but the 1900 census listed Isaac, now 60 (birth year 1840), with wife Patsey (59), living next door to son Isaac Williams and his wife Ella. The 1900 census collected additional details: Isaac and Patsey were said to have been married for 40 years, and Patsy had had 9 children, 5 of them living. Both Isaac and his son Isaac were listed as renting land, not owning it.
In the 1910 census, Isaac Williams Sr., listed as 75, and his wife Hattie (70) were living with son Isaac and his now wife Cornelia. It is likely that “Hattie” was a mistake for “Patsy” as the census recorded that they had been married for 50 years and had had 10 children, 4 of them living.
No record was found that Isaac Williams Sr. ever owned land, but Liberty County Superior Court records do have details about his life. On April 20, 1885, Williams mortgaged personal property to local white merchant Robert Q. Cassels in return for $15 in groceries. The loan had to be paid off at 8 per cent annual interest by October 15. He listed the personal property as “one Horse & Buggy – white mare. My corn – rice & cotton.”
On April 11, 1891, Williams made a similar promissory note to J.W. Parker for $25, due on January 1 with 8 per cent annual interest. He mortgaged “one yellow road cart with coil springs in front also one pony stallion horse four years old, color bay, with star in face.”
Patsy Williams, his wife, may have inherited land. On March 30, 1904, Jinks Fabian and Patsey Williams, both of Liberty County, sold to the Hilton and Dodge Lumber Company, Darien, McIntosh County, for $30 all the timber rights to a 30-acre plot of land in Liberty County’s 17th District, bounded north by land of Jinks Fabian “to his field including the little running spring branch,” east and south by land belonging to Samuel Kennedy, and west by the public road leading to Savannah. The lease was to last 10 years. It would be worth investigating whether there are any indications that Jinks (or Jenks) Fabian was a relative of Patsy’s.
Isaac Williams Jr did purchase land. On November 8, 1900, Abram Fraser sold to Isaac Williams, Jr, both of Liberty County, for $22 10 acres of land bounded north by Walthourville Road, east by the estate of Prince LeConte, south by lands of Seaborn Gordon, and west by lands of Abram Fraser.
No records were found for Isaac Williams Sr after the 1910 census, probably indicating that he died between 1910 and 1920. Isaac Williams Jr. was listed in both the 1920 and 1930 census records, and those pages were searched in case Isaac Williams Sr had been misindexed, but no record was found.
Slavery
This claim highlighted a question about other claims. Gideon B. Dean testified for other formerly enslaved people in Liberty County, usually saying that his father had “controlled” them during the Civil War. Most of those other claimants were enslaved by the LeConte family, and many actually took the surname LeConte at Emancipation. This was the first claim found in which the claimant said he had been on Dean’s plantation. Why would Gideon B. Dean Jr. have such a connection with the enslaved of the LeConte family?
Saying his father “controlled” them suggests that he was a plantation overseer, and in fact, William LeConte’s (1838-1920) unpublished 1900 memoir says, “Often the overseer, Mr. Dean – whose visits were two or three times a week, he having several other of the LeConte farms under his charge – would take me in front of him in riding out upon the farm to inspect the work then going on and seeing that his instructions to the negro foreman were being carried out.” Gideon B. Dean Sr. thus was apparently both an overseer for various LeConte properties and also owned his own property. In the 1850 federal census, he was listed as a “planter” whose real estate was worth $2000, the same value given to his neighbor Valentine Grest’s property. Grest owned the Isle of Wight in Liberty County.
According to Isaac Williams’ claim, he himself was owned by Gideon B. Dean Sr and lived on his plantation. According to the 1850 slave census, Dean did own two young enslaved boys of about the right age to have been Isaac.
One confounding factor is that Isaac Williams said in his initial 1872 SCC application that he was living on Woodland Plantation in 1872, and had lived on Olive Hill Plantation at the time of the 1864 raid. Woodland plantation belonged to the LeConte family, and Olive Hill plantation had also belonged to the LeConte family. Thus the question of whether Gideon B. Dean Sr was Williams’ owner or merely the overseer of the plantation remains open for further research.
Williams’ Southern Claims Commission petition mentioned that a Madison Dean could testify as to Williams’ loyalty to the Union. No Madison Dean was found in the 1870 census, so it is worth mentioning here that in 1830, Gideon B. Dean used an enslaved boy named Madison, said to be about 13, as collateral on a promissory note. In 1832, he used him again for the same purpose, now saying he was about 16, along with Abraham, about 30. In both cases the notes were paid off, and Madison would not have changed hands. #TheyHadNames
Surname
Why did Isaac Williams take the surname Williams at Emancipation? Often the answer to this question also sheds light on the individual’s family heritage, because newly freed people in Liberty County sometimes adopted a surname of an early enslaver of their family. In this case, Gideon Dean married Miss Elizabeth Williams in 1833. Elizabeth evidently died, because in 1860, Gideon Dean (Sr) married Susan Williams, whose maiden name was Thorpe. She had been previously married to Francis Williams. It is likely that Elizabeth Williams and Francis Williams were related. Although a quick research attempt could not prove this definitively, it is likely there was a connection with the Cornelius Williams family of Liberty County. Allied family names were Thorpe, Hendley and Farrar (Farrow). For anyone interested in exploring this further, please contact me at jnscole@yahoo.com.
Citations
Census Records for Isaac Williams Sr.
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 180, p. 45, dwelling #434, family #434, enumerated on December 14, 1870, by Robert Q. Baker, Isaac Williams household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/30/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, District 15, enumeration district 67, p. 26, dwelling #278, family #279, Isaac Williams household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/30/2020).
1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 81, sheet #14, line number 15-17, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/30/2020).
1910 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 114, p. 11, line number 95-100, house #228, dwelling #236, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 11/30/2020).
Deed Records for the Williams Family
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. U 1884-1885” p. 530-31, Isaac Williams to Robert Q. Cassels; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. T-U 1882-1885” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #548, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R9ZZ-S?i=547&cat=292358, accessed 11/26/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. Y 1890-1891” p. 446-7, Isaac Williams to A.W. Parker; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. Y-Z 1890-1892” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #548, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5123?i=271&cat=292358, accessed 11/26/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AF 1903-1904” p. 424-6, Patsey Williams and Jinks Fabian to the Hilton and Dodge Lumber Company; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AE-AF 1901-1904” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #631, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-59W6-L?i=630&cat=292358, accessed 11/26/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. AD 1898-1901” p. 522, Abram Fraser to Isaac Williams Jr; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. AC-AD 1896-1901” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #615, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-5918-Q?i=614&cat=292358, accessed 11/26/2020).
Deed Records for Madison Dean
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. I 1822-1831,” p. 390-1, Gideon B. Dean to Uriah Wilcox, mortgage of slaves; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #503, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSTR-B?cat=292358, accessed 11/30/2020)
Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. K 1831-1838,” p. 33, Gideon B. Dean to R & W King, mortgage of slaves; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #51, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9KQ-X?i=50&cat=292358, accessed 11/30/2020)
Unpublished memoir of William LeConte, “Some of the Events of my life, Jotted down as they were reviewed by Memory, and all of the Badness left out,” written around 1900, copy in possession of Stacy Cole (jnscole@yahoo.com).
Olive Hill Plantation belonging to William LeConte
“Early History and Excavation of the LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation,” by Jennifer M. Hamilton, a thesis presented to the Graduate Council of the University of Florida, 1980. Accessed online at https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00026475/00001/1, 11/30/2020.
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
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Williams, Isaac
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $320
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores of Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Woodland, Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: ?Olive Hill?, Liberty County, Georgia
Claim #: 20702
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-09-14
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-02-21
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co; Gilmore & Co
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: the Camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a slave during the war. When the war broke out he was 21 or 22 years old. He says he worked for this property and bought and paid for it before the war. And yet although it was not taken till Dec 1864 he says the horse was young. It would be strange it it were true that this young slave when only 21 years of age bought a horse and 5 cows and kept them 4 or 5 years, never in that time making any additions to his stock. And it would be equally strange that his master who had but two hundred acres in cultivation would keep this stock and that of a score or so of other slaves on his plantation. The testimony is worthless, because it is general and contradictory and unreasonable and fails to detail facts and circumstances.
We therefore reject the claim.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony of Gideon B. Dean taken at #3 A & G R.R. on February 21, 1878. Testimony of others taken at same place on October 11, 1877, with R.Q. Cassels acting as counsel.]
Testimony of Witness (Gideon B. Dean)
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 Ga all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant Not interested in success of this claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Isaac Wiliams
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?
He lived on my Fathers place deceased now
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Saw him every day he belonged to my Father
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.
All who knew him knew he was Union I knew it because I was with him all the time
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
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?
No
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.
Was not present but know that claimant was allowed to own and did own property before and during the war. Know he owned a Horse and Buggy and Cattle in Liberty County
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 21st Feby [February] 1878
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
Gideon. B. Dean
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Isaac Williams 38 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?
I 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 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?
Deans plantation Liberty County about 3000 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 only asked 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 close of war Farming before freedom before the war worked for it worked for it G B Dean Liberty County dead not witness because dead no no no no no one
[Question 71 not applicable]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was present Saw it taken horse and Buggy and Harness 5 Cows
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 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 to say anything to 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.
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 Horse was Bay Color, young. Deans plantation Liberty County worth $150.00 dollars December about 16 or 18 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry. Took Horse and drove it to camp about 200 men about as many Horses 7 or 8 wagons about ½ hour to camp don’t know if officers were present Said their Horses were tired down and they wanted all the Horses they could get for the army 11th don’t know
The Cows were grown Deans plantation Liberty County 5 Head counted them worth $20.00 dollars a head 16th or 18th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry drove them off to camp 200 Men and Horses 7 or 8 Wagons about ½ hour to Camp don’t know if officers were present Said they wanted mat 11th don’t know
Buggy and Harness Second handed Deans plantation Liberty County worth $70 dollars December 18th or 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry 100 Men and Horses 7 or 8 Wagons about ½ hour to camp Said nothing no officer present 11th don’t know
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 11th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Isaac Williams [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Sam Winn)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Sam Winn 38 years Liberty County all my life Farming
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 Claimant not related to Claimant
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Isaac Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all my life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
on the 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.
Yes during the war Deans plantation don’t remember who was present wishing for freedom Claimant Said he hoped we would be free at end of 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.
Helped the Yankees all he could while they were here helped them drive cattle and stock off
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 took him for a union man he always said he was Frank Dean Madison Dean
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 will
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
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
no
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
no
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
no
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Isaac Williams worked for it from Deans plantation Liberty County about 3000 acres 200 acres cultivated
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?
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]
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 saw it taken 1 Bay Mare 5 Cows 1 Buggy and Harness
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 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.
none
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none because we were all scared
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 about 2 miles 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.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was Bay color Deans plantation Liberty County 1 Mare worth 150.00 dollars December 16th or 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Carried her to camp about 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp 3 or 4 officers present Knew them by dress Said they wanted Horse in Camp I heard officer tell men to take the Horse
The Cows were on Deans plantation Liberty County 5 Head Counted them worth 20 or 25 dollars a head December 16 or 18 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry drove them to camp 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp 3 or 4 officers present Knew them by dress Said they wanted them for the Army Heard officers tell the men to take them
The Buggy and Harness Second hand Deans plantation Liberty County worth $70.00 dollars December 18th or 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp 3 or 4 officers present Knew them by dress Said nothing Heard officer tell men to take them
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 11th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Sam Winn [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Gideon Jackson)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Gideon Jackson 60 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?
am not claimant not related to claimant
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Isaac Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
All his life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
lived 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.
Talked about the distress of war during war Deans plantation Liberty County Frank Dean and Serena Cothers our distress caused us to talk about it
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.
he helped them all he could
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
no
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
never heard anything
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
All knew him to be a union man I knew it by his conduct and what he said Frank Dean Madison Dean
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 he knew 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
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Isaac Williams
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 Deans plantation Liberty County about 3000 acres about 200 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Question 69 asked only of women]
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 Saw it taken 1 Bay Mare 5 Cows Buggy and Harness
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 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
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 we were all scared
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 Mare was Bay Color Deans plantation Liberty County worth $150.00 dollars December 18th or 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Caught her drove her to camp 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp did not know officers, Said they wanted her to change their broken down horses did not see them afterwards
The Cows were Milch Cows Deans plantation Liberty County 5 Head counted them worth 25 or 30 dollars a head December 18th or 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry drove them off 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp did not know if officers were present Said they wanted them to eat
Buggy and Harness Second handed Deans plantation Liberty County 1 Buggy and Harness worth about $60 dollars December 18th or 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry put mule in and carried it off 200 men and horses 7 or 8 wagons about 1 hour to camp did not know if officers were present Said nothing
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 11th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Gideon Jackson [signed by mark]