Claim Summary
Mingo Quarterman’s 1877 Southern Claims Commission petition was denied, but his testimony revealed details about this formerly enslaved man’s life in Liberty County, Georgia.
He testified that in 1877 he was 39 years old, and was still living where he had been living when Sherman’s Army came foraging through Liberty County in December 1864: on John Barnard’s North Hampton (or Northampton) plantation. The soldiers took, he said, his three mares, 32 hives of honey, 30 head of poultry, a 200-lb hog, 10 bushels of rice, 12 head of turkeys, and some bedding and clothing, worth $544.50.
Quarterman said he had lived all his life in Liberty County, and that the North Hampton plantation had about 1000 acres, half of which was under cultivation. He said he bought the property taken by the soldiers from one Henry Jones, and that John Barnard, his former owner, could not testify on his behalf because he was dead.
Two formerly enslaved witnesses, Thomas Bradwell and Sam Cassels, testified that they were Quarterman’s cousins and had lived on the same plantation and saw him every day during the war. They both said he had owned the property and described it being taken by the soldiers. Bradwell said that he himself was 70 years old at the time the testimony was taken, and he also said that Sam Carter and Charlton Jones could also testify that Quarterman had been loyal to the Union, which was a requirement for compensation through the Southern Claims Commission.
Sam Cassels said that he was 60 at the time of the testimony. Both Cassels and Bradwell testified that about 200 acres of the 1000-acre plantation were under cultivation, but otherwise corroborated Quarterman’s own testimony.
The Claims Commissioners ruled that the sparse testimony taken by Special Commissioner Henry Way was so weak as “to not overcome the presumption that the property belonged to the master & not to the slave.” They also noted that “this is one of a number of claims of slaves represented by the same local attorney and in which the testimony was taken by the same Com’r [Commissioner] about the same time.” In fact, a number of the claims in which Commissioner Way, a former Liberty County slaveowner and a prominent judge, took the testimony were disallowed for similar reasons.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon; Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
More about the Claimant
Mingo Quarterman registered to vote in precinct 1, Riceboro, Liberty County on August 1, 1867. The record said that he had lived in the precinct for 26 years, which would put his birth year at around 1841. Other records, listed below, had his birth year between 1835 and 1843, but the 1867 voter registration record is the oldest record and likely closest to the true year.
Mingo Quarterman was listed in the 1870 U.S. federal census as a 27-year-old Black man living with Eve (23), Hazzard (6), Smith (4), and Toney (10 months). [The 1870 census did not list relationships.] He was listed near Roswell King III, a white planter, as well as Gabriel Way, Rosena Jones, Alfred Mullis, and Sharper Quarterman. Sam Carter, who was originally to be one of his witnesses but did not testify, was also listed nearby.
In the 1880 U.S. federal census, Quarterman, now listed as being 42, was with wife Eve (40), sons Hazard (14), Smith (12), Charles (8), Mitchel (1), and daughters Jane (6), Ella (4), and Hannah (3). He was evidently still living in the same location, as many of the same names were listed nearby as in the 1870 census.
In the 1900 U.S. federal census, he was listed as being 65, with Eve (now 60), daughter Hannah (21) and sons Michel (20), John (14), and Mathew (6). He was said to have been married to Eve for 33 years, and she had had 10 childrens, with (remarkably) all 10 still living. He was listed as a farmer who was renting land, still with many of the same neighbors.
A 33-year marriage as of 1900 would put the marriage at around 1867, after Emancipation, which should mean that Eve had a maiden name. No record was found of the marriage, but a Social Security record for their son Mitch Quarterman listed his mother’s maiden name as Eva Smith.
It appears that Mingo Quarterman may have lived in Savannah for some time in the 1880s, as he was listed in the city directories there in 1884 and 1885. Living at the same address in 1884 were Charles and Edward Quarterman. In 1885, Charles and Edward were still at that address, but Mingo was listed at a different address. His son Hazard was married to Louisa Mitchell in Savannah in 1887, and appears to have lived there until his death in 1942, when he was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery South there. Others of the children appear to have remained in Liberty County, though. No record was found of Mingo or Eve Quarterman in Liberty County records after the 1900 census, but the Chatham County (Savannah) records were not checked in the same detail.
Slavery
Mingo Quarterman had testified that John Barnard was his owner, and that Barnard was dead as of his 1877 testimony. In 1847, John B. Barnard used an enslaved man named Mingo as collateral on a promissory note to Anderson & Anderson, Savannah merchants, along with a number of other enslaved people, including a woman named Eve. Interestingly, an enslaved man (or child) named Smith was also named in the record. This was an unusual first name for an enslaved man in Liberty County, and Mingo and Eve named a son, born around 1865, Smith. Could this other Smith have been a relative? It was a usual practice for a man to name a son after his brother, but it is also noteworthy that Eve’s maiden name was listed as Smith in her son Mitchel’s Social Security record.
John Barnard died in 1861, and was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery North in Savannah. His 1861 will did not name Mingo, but named his Liberty County plantation as North Hampton and instructed that it not be sold during his wife’s lifetime (she lived until 1891). The trustees were to keep the slaves who fell to her lot and to the lot of his deceased son John D. Barnard’s children on the plantation “until sold.” The will also specified that they were to be sold in families. It does not appear that Mingo was sold, as he remained on this same plantation until at least the turn of the century.
In Barnard’s 1862 estate inventory, Mingo was valued at $800 and Eve at $650. There was an enslaved man named Smith, valued at $400.
According to The Children of Pride, John Barnard had lived in Wilmington Island, Chatham County, son of Timothy Barnard and his first wife Amelia Guerard, until 1846, when he moved to North Hampton, “his plantation on the North Newport River.” He was said to have been a selectman at the Midway Church, but its records do not show that a Mingo owned by John Barnard was a member there. (The Midway Church had both white and black members since its inception in the 1750s.) The Barnards were said to be close friends of the Roswell Kings and the Jones family.
As for the reason behind Mingo’s choice of the surname Quarterman, when it appears that he had been owned by Barnard from at least 1847 through 1865, normally one would look for a Quarterman woman to have married into the family and possibly have brought him into the family through inheritance. This was not found. It is possible that a parent or grandparent of Mingo’s had been owned by a Quarterman.
Citations
1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 180, p. 28, dwelling #262, family #262, enumerated on November 22, 1870, by Robert Q. Baker, Mingo Quarterman household, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 12/10/2020).
1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Disctrict 15, enumeration district 67, p. 30, dwelling #321, family #322, Mingo Quarterman household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 12/10/2020).
1900 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Militia District 15, enumeration district 81, sheet #4, line number 87-92, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 12/10/2020).
“Georgia, U.S., Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869,” registered in Precinct no. 1, Liberty County, for the 2d Election District. Digital Image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 12/10/2020).
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book M, pp. 640-2. Image #371-2 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-54CC?i=370&cat=292358) (abstract:
https://theyhadnames.net/2019/12/05/used-as-collateral-barnard-anderson/)
“U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” digital image, Ancestry.com (accessed 12/10/2020); Mitch Martin Quarterman, born 5 Aug 1871 in Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia,” parents Mingle Quarterman and Eva Smith, SSN 719095716.
Midway Church records (negative search): https://theyhadnames.net/midway-church-records/.
Myers, Robert Manson, “The Children of Pride,” published by The Colonial Press Inc, Clinton, Massachusetts, unabridged version, pp 1460-1.
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93T-XYPH?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 283 of 703. (abstract:
https://theyhadnames.net/2019/03/25/liberty-county-estate-inventory-john-b-barnard/)
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93T-XBM7?cc=1999178&wc=9SB7-6T5%3A267679901%2C268014801 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Miscellaneous probate records 1850-1863 vol C and L > image 278 of 703; county probate courthouses, Georgia. (abstract:
https://theyhadnames.net/2018/07/23/liberty-county-will-john-b-barnard/)
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): Quarterman, Mingo
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $544.50
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army in 1864
Claimant living in: North Hampton [or Northampton], Liberty County, Ga [also spelled Northampton]
Incident occurred in: North Hampton, Liberty County, Ga
Claim #: 20687
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-09-14;1877-10-02
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-11-08
Claimant’s Attorney: Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C.; James M. Simms, Savannah; Gilmore & Co
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: the Army’s camp
Date property removed: 1864-12-12 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: belonged to Mr. John Barnard of Liberty Co Ga. This is one of a number of claims of slaves represented by the same local attorney and in which the testimony was taken by the same Com’r about the same time. The testimony is substantially the same in all these claims and fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the ownership of the stores or supplies for which the claim is made. The testimony on that point is so weak as not to overcome the presumption that the property belonged to the master & not to the slave. The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony taken at #3 A & G Railroad. R.Q. Cassels was counsel]
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Mingo Quarterman 39 years Liberty County Georgia 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
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 500 acres cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
[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 end of war Farming Before I was free Before war Bought it from Henry Jones and labored for the means John Barnard dead he is not witness because dead no live on his Land owe for Land rent 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 I did 3 Mares 32 Bee Hives 30 Head Fowls 1 Hog 10 Bush [Bushel] Rice 12 Turkeys Bedding and Clothing
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
no complaint made to officer
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 I did not know any better
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped on place
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 Mares were 2 Bay and one cream color Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 3 Mares worth $400.00 dollars December 16th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and rode them off 30 or 40 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present knew by stars and stripes Said they were taking them to the Army Believe officer told men because he was present
The Hives were full of Honey Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Georgia 32 Hives counted them worth about 2 dollars a piece December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Broke Hives up and took out Honey eat and wasted it about 30 or 40 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by Stripes Said nothing Believe officer ordered it because he was present
The Poultry were all grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 30 Head counted them worth 40 or 50 cts [cents] a head December 16th or 17th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and made us cook them for them 30 or 40 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Said nothing Believe officer ordered because he was present
The Hog was Bacon Hog Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Georgia worth $15.00 dollars December 16 or 18 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed Hog in pen butchered and cooked right there 30 or 40 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present knew by Stripes Believe officer ordered it because he was present
The Rice was threshed Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 10 bushels measured it worth 1.25 dollars a bushel December 16 or 18 1864 Kilpatricks Army took Rice out of House fed Horses and destroyed it 30 or 40 Men and Horses and wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe he ordered it because he was present
The Turkeys were grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 12 Head counted them worth $1.50 dollars a piece December 16 or 18 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them in yard 30 or 40 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe he ordered it because he was there
The Bedding and Clothing Quilts and Blankets Mens Clothes etc Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga worth about 10 dollars Took them out of House and carried them off 30 or 30 Men and Horses 2 wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe officer ordered because he was present
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Mingo Quarterman [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Thomas Bradwell)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Thos [Thomas] Bradwell 70 years Liberty County Georgia born and raised here Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Cousin to Claimant not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Mingo Quarterman
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?
on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
saw him every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
no
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
He done all he could for the Union Army during the war feeding the men and etc.
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
no
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
heard nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
Every body knew he was a Union man I have heard him say he was union man Sam Carter Charlton Jones
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Law Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was claimant knew it by actions
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?
Mingo Quarterman 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 200 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
dont know
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
[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 I did 3 Mares 32 Hives 30 Head of Poultry 1 Hog 10 Bush [Bushel] Rice 12 Turkeys Bedding and Clothing
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In daytime 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 that I know of
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none that I know of, 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 on place
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 Mares were Bay and one cream color Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga Mares worth $400.00 dollars December 18th1864 Kilpatricks Army Rode them off about 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer knew by dress Said nothing Believe officer ordered it because he was present
The Hives were full of Honey Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 32 Hives counted them worth 2 dollars a piece December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Broke Hives and took out Honey 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe he ordered it because he was present
The Poultry were grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 30 Head counted them worth about 50 cts [cents] a piece December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them and made us cook them for their use 100 Men and horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe he ordered them taken because he was present
The Hog was Bacon Hog Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga worth $15.00 dollars December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed Hog in pen cooked and cut it 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believed he ordered Hog taken because he was present
The Rice was threshed and Housed Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 10 Bushels saw it measured worth 1.25 a bushel December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army took Rice fed Horses with it 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe officer ordered because he was present
The Turkeys were grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 12 Head counted them worth 1.50 dollars a piece December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and carried them to camp 100 Men and horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe officer ordered them taken because he was present
The Bedding and Clothing were Quilts Blankets Mens clothes etc etc Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga worth 10 dollars December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army took it out of House carried it off 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe officer ordered it because he was present
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Thos [Thomas] Bradwell [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Sam Cassels)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Sam Cassels 60 years Liberty County Georgia born and raised here Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Cousin to claimant not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Mingo Quarterman
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?
on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
saw him every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
no
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
He done all he could for the Union Army feeding men etc etc
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.
Everybody knew him to be union I knew by his actions Charlton Jones March Jones
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 [Golding] Gus Law Brister Fleming Know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was Claimant knew it by my actions
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?
Mingo Quarterman Bought it
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
from plantation Liberty County Ga about 1000 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?
dont Know
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
[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 I did 3 Mares 32 Bee Hives 30 Head Poultry 1 Hog 10 Bushels Rice 12 Turkeys Bedding and Clothing
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
no not that I know of
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none
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 on place
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 Mares were 2 Bay and one cream color Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 3 Head worth $400.00 dollars December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army rode them off about 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe officer ordered it because he was present
The Hives were full of Honey Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 32 Hives counted them worth 2 dollars a piece December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Broke Hives up and took out and eat the Honey 100 Men and horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe officer ordered it because he was present
The Fowls were grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 30 Head counted them worth 50 cts [cents] a head December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and made us cook them for their use 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one office present Knew by dress Believe he ordered them taken because he was present
The Hog was Bacon Hog Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga worth $15.00 dollars December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed it in pen and cooked it 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe officer ordered it taken because he was present
The Rice was threshed Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 10 bush [bushel] measured worth 1.25 a bushel December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army fed Horses with it 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe officer ordered it taken because he was present
The Turkeys were grown Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga 12 head counted them worth $1.50 a head December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught them and carried them off 100 Men and Horse s3 Wagons camped on place one officer present Knew by dress Believe he ordered it because he was there
The Clothing and Bedding were mens clothes Quilts Blankets etc etc Mr Barnards plantation Liberty County Ga with 10 or 12 dollars December 18th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Took it out of House and carried it off 100 Men and Horses 3 Wagons camped on place one officer present knew by dress Believe he ordered it because he was present
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way
Special Comr [Commissioner]
[signed] Sam Cassels [signed by mark]