Liberty County's
Southern Claims Commission Petitions
In 1871, the U.S. Congress created the Southern Claims Commission to consider claims brought by loyalist southerners for supplies that had been confiscated by the U.S. Army during the Civil War. Claimants had to prove that they had been loyal to the Union during the War. The SCC claims provide vivid accounts of the raids and the encounters with the “Yankee” soldiers. At least 144 Liberty County residents, both white and African American, made claims, 86 of which were approved. Each claimant had to answer a long list of questions, provide detailed information on the property that was lost and how it had been acquired to prove ownership, and call witnesses to testify as to both loyalty to the Union and the facts of the case. Below are the claims we have transcribed so far, which sometimes include research on the claimant.
For a list of all the claims with links, click here.
Please note that the excerpts shown below are direct quotes from the petitions — sometimes quotes from the testimony and sometimes the Commissioners (terribly biased) conclusions — unless I have done research on the claimant. The software I use for this page does not show quote marks.
Search the petitions by entering search terms in the field below.
Southern Claims Commission: Windsor Stevens (1873)
The Southern Claims Commission was established after the Civil War to evaluate the claims of Union sympathizers living in the South for reimbursement due to property confiscation. This record for Windsor Stevens is presented here in honor of his descendant, Rose Mullice, and her quest to ensure he is not forgotten. For more on researching […]
Samuel Harris – Southern Claims Commission Claim
Below is a transcription of a successful Southern Claims Commission claim made against the U.S. government by former enslaved man Samuel Harris of Liberty County, Georgia for property taken from him by Union soldiers who were part of General Sherman’s march to Savannah. The questions asked were not part of the original document; they have […]
Sandy Austin – Southern Claims Commission
Transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see full transcription of this claimFor research on Sandy Austin, click here. About the Southern Claims Commission About This Transcription Sandy Austin Claim Cover Page The Claim: Summary & Transcription Summary Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Austin, SandyListed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y Amount of Claim: $396Total Amount Allowed: […]
Pompey Bacon – Southern Claims Commission
See the full transcript of this claim by scrolling down. For research on Pompey Bacon, click 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 […]
Mack Golding – Southern Claims Commission
Scroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Mack Golding, 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 […]
Joseph Bacon Sr – Southern Claims Commission
See the full transcript of this claim by scrolling down. For research on Joseph Bacon Sr, 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 […]
Jacob Dryer – Southern Claims Commission
Transcription of Claim by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to read the full transcript of this claimFor research on Jacob Dryer, click HERE. For research on Jacob Dryer’s family lineage, 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 […]
Paul LeConte – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Paul LeConte, 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 […]
William Wilson – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on William Wilson, 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 […]
Jack Wilson – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see the full transcript of this claim 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 […]
Augustus Williams – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see full transcript of this claimFor research about Augustus Williams, 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 […]
Jack Williams – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research about Jack Williams, 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 […]
A Different Civil War Story
James and John Somersall were white brothers who lived in rice-growing, slave-owning Liberty County, Georgia. They were poor. They owned a few acres of land, grew their own food, milked their own cows, and didn’t own people. John was in his late 30’s when the clouds of the Civil War appeared on the horizon, and […]
Toney Axson – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see full transcription of this claimFor research on Toney Axon, 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 […]
Lafayette DeLegal – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimTo see research on Lafayette DeLegal, 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 […]
Aberdeen LeCounte – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonSee the full transcript by scrolling downFor research on Aberdeen LeCounte, 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 […]
Boston Polite – Southern Claims Commission
Boston Polite SCC testimony Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to read the full transcriptFor research about Boston Polite, 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 […]
William (“Billy”) Gilmore – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on William Gilmore, 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 […]
Sampson Bacon – Southern Claims Commission
Sampson Bacon, formerly enslaved in Liberty County, Georgia, originally put in a claim in 1872 with the Southern Claims Commission for property he said was confiscated from his slaveowner Joseph Bacon’s plantation in December 1864 when Sherman’s Army came through Liberty County. He died, however, and his brother John Bacon pursued the claim in 1878, […]
Joel Hodges – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonSee full transcript by scrolling downFor research on Joel Hodges, 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 […]
Titus Alvin & Eliza LeConte – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see full transcription of this claimFor research done on Titus Alvin and Eliza LeConte, 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 […]
John Lambert – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By John Lambert John Lambert was only about 10 years old — an enslaved child — when the U.S. Army swept through Liberty County foraging during Sherman’s March to the Sea. He filed this claim on behalf of his mother after the war. Phillis Lambert was blind by then, and had […]
James Anderson – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By James Anderson James Anderson, who had been an enslaved man belonging to Joseph Anderson prior to Emancipation, owned hogs, cows, corn, potatoes, chickens and clothes that were taken by U.S. soldiers while they were camped at Midway Congregational Church in Liberty County in December 1864. Anderson received $90 in compensation […]
George Gould – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By George Gould “I used to have all the privileges a slave could have, but I would not give one of my free days for all my life in slavery.” –Joshua Cassell, Liberty County, Georgia When the U.S. Army arrived in Liberty County in December 1864, the soldiers and their horses […]
Elizabeth Somersall – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By Elizabeth Somersall Claim transcribed by: Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see the transcriptionFor research on Elizabeth Somersall (and her sons), click HERE. Elizabeth Somersall SCC testimony About the Southern Claims Commission The Southern Claims Commission was set up by Congress in 1871 to adjudicate claims for property taken by U.S. federal […]
Richard Bacon – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Tamra CostineScroll down to see the full transcriptFor research on Richard Bacon, 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 […]
James Anderson – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claim. For research on James Anderson, 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 […]
James Stacy – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on James Stacy, 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 […]
David S. Baggs & Isabella Baggs – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By David S. Baggs & Isabella Baggs In the early 1870s, David Spurlock Baggs filed a claim with the Southern Claims Commission, asking for compensation for $5000 worth of horses, mules, cattles, hogs, corn, rice, potatoes, fodder, bacon, and rails for fuel taken by U.S. soldiers when Sherman’s Army raided in […]
Pulaski Carter – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see full transcript of this claim 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 […]
Samuel Maxwell – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore ColeScroll down to see the full transcriptFor research on Samuel Maxwell, 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 […]
Doddy Brown – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonSee the full transcript of this claim by scrolling downFor research on Doddy Brown, 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 […]
Jacob Golding – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Jacob Golding, 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 […]
David Stevens – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on David Stevens, 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 […]
George McConnell – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Tamra CostineScroll down to see full transcriptFor research on George McConnell, 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 […]
Prime Hargraves – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Prime Hargraves, 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 […]
George Powell – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on George Powell, 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 […]
Prime LeConte – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to view full transcriptFor research on Prime LeConte, 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 […]
Isaac Jenkins – Southern Claims Commission
Southern Claims Commission Petition By Isaac Jenkins Summary of Claim Isaac Jenkins’ claim was denied for restitution for property he said U.S. soldiers took from him during their foraging in Liberty County in 1864, but his claim contained interesting details about his life after the Civil War. Jenkins was in his early 20s when emancipated […]
Andrew Girardeau (or Quarterman) – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Tamra CostineScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Andrew Girardeau, 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 […]
Isaac Simpson – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research about Isaac Simpson, 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 […]
Isaac Williams – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research about Isaac Williams, 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 […]
Mingo Quarterman – Southern Claims Commission
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley DillonScroll down to see the full transcript of this claimFor research on Mingo Quarterman, 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 […]
Caesar and Linda Roberts – Southern Claims Commission
Jack Walker – Southern Claims Commission
Amy (or Emma) Roberts – Southern Claims Commission
William Law – Southern Claims Commission
Samuel Osgood – Southern Claims Commission
Thomas Axson – Southern Claims Commission
Transcript ofSouthern Claims Commission Petition By Thomas Axson [NOTE: Only the application was contained in this case file online, no testimony or resolution.] Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Axson, Thomas [alt: Tom Axon]Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y Link to original. Amount of Claim: $270Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowedNature of Claim: Army SuppliesClaimant living in: Capt. […]