Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon
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For research on William Law, click HERE.
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): Law, William
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $254.75
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army in 1864
Claimant living in: Stevens Farm, Liberty County, Ga
Incident occurred in: Claybank (?), near Riceborough, Liberty County, Georgia
Claim #: 20671
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-09-14; 1877-10-02
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-11-02
Claimant’s Attorney: J.M. Simms [crossed out]; Hosmer & Co, Washington, D.C.; Gilmore & Co
Special Commissioner: Henry Way
Property Removed to: the Camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-12 to 1864-12-25
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: Riceborough
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: This is another of the stereotyped cases, in which Henry Way took the testimony. The only witnesses are the clmt & one Jos. McDaniel a fellow slave. The only proof of how he came to own the property is the usual phrase “I worked for it.” That & nothing more. Such proof of ownership by a clmt who was a slave when the property was taken & could not legally own property, & as to whom there is no proof that he was allowed to own any property or that he was industrious & did own propy, or as to how he acquired it, is insufficient. Claim rejected.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Testimony taken at #3 A & G Railroad in Liberty County, with R.Q. Cassels acting as counsel.]
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
William Law 62 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 by hard 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 500 acres over 100 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 end of war Farming before freedom before the war by hard work worked for means R Q Baker Liberty County Ga dead He is 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 I did 1 Grey Mare Harness 4 Meat Hogs 15 Stock Hogs 12 Chickens Clothing Bed Clothes 2 Galls [Gallons] Lard 2 Pots 2 Hats
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
I made complaint to officer Said they would make it all good 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 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 in camp
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was Grey color Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 125 or 130 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army caught and rode her off whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present by dress and heard them commanding the men officer said he told men to take her that they would make it good to me
The Harness was new Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 25 or 30 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army put it on mule the whole regiment was there over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers heard officer tell men to take it said they wanted it for army
The Meat Hogs were in Pen Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 4 Hogs worth 8 or 10 dollars a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army killed them in pen put them in wagon the whole regiment was there over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress heard officer tell men to take them said they wanted them for the army
The Stock Hogs were Sows and Shoats Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 15 Head counted them worth 2 dollars a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Shot them and carried off in wagon the whole regiment was there over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by their commanding the men said they were obliged to have them for men to eat
The Fowls were grown Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 12 Head counted them worth 50 cts [cents] a piece December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them on horse whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress and commanding the men said they wanted them to eat heard officer order men to take them
The Clothing was mens clothes Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 5 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army took it on horse whole regiment was there over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress said they would make it all good to me heard officer tell men to take it
The Bed clothes were Quilts Blankets Beds etc etc Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 5 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army bundled it up and took up on horses whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress and commanding men said they would make it all good heard officer tell men to take it
The Lard was in Jar Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Galls [Gallons] worth 4 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army carried it off in jar whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress and heard them ordering the men said they would it all good heard officer tell men to take it
The Pots were at Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 2 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army put them in wagon whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress said they had to have it to cook in heard officer tell men to take it
The Hats were new Hats Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 2 or 3 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army put hats on their heads and use them off whole regiment over 100 horses 6 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by dress said they would pay for them heard officer tell men to take them
his
William Law
mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 2nd Nov 1877
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (Joseph McDaniel)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Joseph McDaniel 41 years Liberty County all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
not related not interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
William Law
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?
every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
no
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
no
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
no
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
no
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
He was considered by all who knew him to be a union man
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 Gus Law 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 claimant knew and by 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?
William Law worked 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 6 or 700 acres over 100 acres
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
not that I know of
[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?
[Question 70 apparently not asked]
[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 Mare Harness 4 Meat Hogs 15 Stock Hogs 12 Fowls Clothing Bedclothes 2 Galls [Gallons] Lard 2 Pots 2 Hats
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.
Claimant made complaint to officer told him all would be made good to him
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?
The Troops were in camp
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was grey Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga $130.00 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army rode her off whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present Knew by commanding company Said they would make it all good Heard officer tell men to take it
The Harness second hand Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth $20.00 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army put it on mule whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by commanding the men Heard officer tell men to take it
The Meat hogs were in pen Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 4 Hogs worth 10 dollars a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by ordering men said they would make it all good Heard officer tell them to take it
The rest of Hogs were Stock Hogs Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 15 Head guess that much worth 2 dollars a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them and carried them off in wagon whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew them by ordering men Said they would make it good Heard officer tell men to take it
The Fowls were grown Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 12 head counted them worth 40 or 50 cts [cents] a head December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks Army Killed them put them in wagon whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by their ordering the men heard officer tell men to take them
The Clothing was mens clothes Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 5 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army took it on horse whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present Knew because they ordered the men Said they would make it all good Heard officer tell men to take it
The Bed Clothes were Quilts Blankets etc Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 5 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army rolled it up and took on horse whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by ordering men Said they would make it all good Heard officers tell men to take it
The Lard was in jar Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 4 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army put in wagon whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by ordering men Said all would be paid to us Heard officer tell men to take it
The Pots Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Pots worth 2 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army put them in wagon whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by ordering men Said they would make it all right with us Heard officer tell men to take them
The Hats were new Mr Bakers plantation Liberty County Ga worth 2 or 3 dollars December 20th 1864 Kilpatricks army put hats on their heads and wore them off whole regiment over 100 horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp 2 officers present knew by ordering the men Said we would be paid for it Heard officer tell men to take them
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 2nd Nov [November] 1877
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
his
Joseph McDonald [McDaniel]
mark