Jeremiah B N Adams, Civil War Era Claim, 1877
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This is a abstract of a very lengthy claim for Petitioner R. J. B. N Adams of Tilton GA, 1877.
Petition to the Honorable the Commissioners of Claims under the Act of Congress, March 3, 1871.
Petitioner R J B N Adams of Tilton, GA. That he was the original owner of the hereinafter mentioned claim which has never been assigned, that there was taken from the petitioner for theuse of the Army of the US, for which no payment has been made, or compensation received in any manner or from any source for any part thereof, the following described supplies:
May 14th and 15th, 1864:
75 bushels of corn @ 1.35 $93.75
1000 bales of fodder @ 3 $30.00
600 lb of flour @ 8 $48.00
3 young beef cattle $10 $30.00
1 horse $75.00
1 saddle, bridle, good $12.00
5 head sheep @3.00 $15.00
500 lbs of bacon @20 $100.00
12 acres of growing wheat $100.00
September 1864:
14 acres of ungathered corn 35 bushel $350.00
Total: $853.75
Taken by forces under General Sherman in the US Army for 1864.
Includes testimony of J B N Adams; Thomas J Simmons; William Prichard; Elizabeth Adams; Frances Scales; Sarah J Hughey.
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Hearing: 14 Feb 1877:
My name is Jeremiah B N Adams, age 50 years, residence Whitfield County GA, has been residence 17 years, am a farmer. I was born in South Carolina. I was living in Whitfield County GA the last 6 months before the outbreak of the rebellion and was railroading and followed that business at the same place from beginning -- --, never changed by residence or business during that time. My sympathies were on the side of the Union all the time, from beginning to end of the War. In February 1864 a company was organized --- through the lines and being in communication with the --- and most of those that were going to make the attempt, I notified most of them when the time was appointed to start and our of the 49 that was --- 43 got through safely, the man that was --- as --- was captured by the rebels, but made his escape in a day or two, and then -- though none of these men were my relations. Claimant does not know of any relations in the Union Army, but have relations in Kentucky. Some Union Soldiers of my --- come to my house and claimed relationship by ---, not know how I was.
I was in the employment of the US Govt on Military Rail Road, W & A Rail Road all the while it was in this profession. I first worked on Memphis and Charleston Rail Road before the federals occupied this county and as soon as they took possession of W&A Rail Road I came here because it was nearer home and I was telegraphed to come. I came to W & A Road in May 1864 and continued on said Road until it was turned over to the State in Sept 1865, except a short time the road was abandoned by the federals. I was a foreman on the --- of track.
I once acted as a guide to an Army Corps. I think it was General Schofield. I guided him from Reseca up the Coosawatee River or rather across the county to a ford on that River higher up.
I took the side of the Union while the insurgent States were seceding from the Union in 1860 and 1861. Done all I could for the Union Cause.
I --- I have taken the Iron Clad Oath, I was postmaster of Tilton a while since the War and took the Oath of Office.
The Leveling and best know Unionist in my vicinity were Thomas Ballew, Thomas J Simmons, William Pritchett, Pinckney -- Howell, W F J Scales some of whom will be called upon to prove my loyalty.
In the fall of 1863 the rebels took 17 hogs from me, the last one I had did not leave me one, also took all my fowls. Early in 1863 they pastured down 24 acres of grain from me and never paid anything for this property.
I had brothers in the rebel army. Sherwood W Adams, age about 48 years when he entered the service, is now living in Whitfield County GA, the other William Adams, age about 30 years when he entered the service is now dead. Sherwood is older than myself, was leaving some abst---- from me. I could not use any influences with him, did not furnish him anything. William was living in Mississippi when he enlisted. I did not know he was in the service until he was death. Sherwood was in only about 11 months.
I took the amnesty oath at Chattanooga TN only in 1864.
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Deposition of Thomas J Simmons as to loyalty of J B N Adams.
My name is Thomas J Simmons, age 38, residence Gordon County GA, has been my residence 3 months, farmer. Residence was Whitfield County. Am a minister of the gospel.
I have known this person intimately 14 years. I lived about 3 miles from him since I became acquainted with him. I met him often, I suppose every two or three weeks, sometimes more often than that. Said secession was a very wrong thing, did not want any confederacy, that the old US Govt was good enough for him.
His neighbors were Thomas Ballew, Jeremiah Sailors, Pinckney F Howell, Wm Pritchett and could testify to his publich separations. The most prominent Union men in his vicinity were Benj M Bolding, Thomas Bolton, Pinckney F Howell, Wm Prichett, B W Gideon, any of whom could testify to his loyalty.
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Deposition of William Prichard.
My name is William Prichard, age 63 years, residence Whitfield County GA< and has been my residence 23 years, am a farmer.
I have known J B N Adams intimately 32 years, I lived less than 1 mile from him closing the war. I met him often, every week, often every day.
His neighbors were Thomas Ballew, James M Sheppard, Pinckney F Howell, Thomas J Simmons. The most prominent Union men in his vicinity were: Thomas Ballew, Benj M Boleling, Pinckney F Howell, Stanwex? H Martin, whom would testify to his loyalty.
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Deposition of Elizabeth Adams.
My name is Elizabeth Adams, age 49 years, Whitfield County has been my residence for 17 years, am a housekeeper. I was present when all of the property was taken, I am the wife of the claimant.
I talked with the officers about the taking of the property. General Hooker had his headquarters in my house while the fight at Resaca was going on. General Hooker gave the order to take the property saying his supplies had not come up, that his men must have something to eat and we would be provided for after the fight was over. The troops that took the property were engaged in the fight at Resaca.
The 14th day of May 1864, the Federal Army first came to our place and encamped all over our yard and house and as soon as they came commenced taking the corn.
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Deposition of Mrs Frances Scales.
Aged 44, residence Whitfield County, GA, has been my residence about 23 years, am a housekeeper.
I did not see any of the property taken, except the growing crop in Sept 1864, I happened to be at the house of the claimant and saw Federals turn their stock of broken down horses and mules into his field of corn and down they fed --- down. I am very familiar with claimant, our families were very intimate, my husband Wm F J Scales worked on the Railroad with claimant. I lived about 1/2 mile from them.
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Deposition of Sarah J Hughey.
Age 29 years, residence Whitfield County GA, has been my residence 17 years. Am a housekeeper.
I am a daughter of claimant. I was present when all of the property was taken.
I remember the federals took the flour and we begged them for a little of it back and General Hooker made them give us a little.
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Allowed $425.00
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Letter from James Nance.
We think that there is a fraudulent claim presented to you, I wish to know if it is any crime to obtain money from the government fraudulently. I notice in public print one case I am acquainted with is allowed $425.00. I don't know what it can be for, he has one old stiff kneed horse that he paid $30.00 for two-three years before he was taken. I have heard the family say that a negro taken him. I had a conversation with one Mrs Frances Scales today who is a niece of Adams.........
I have been requested by one J G Scales to write for him, Scales is a brother in law to Adams, his P O is Resaca, mine is Tilton.
James Nance.
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Letter from W T Nance of Tilton.
I am an ex confederate soldier by non-secessionist denouncing claimant as a violent supporter of the late rebellion and asserting he lost nothing by the Federal Army.
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Notation in file: Jan 25, 1878.
Don't let this claim be paid until these accusations are decided. Have this day written the postmaster at Tilton to inquire into the matter and report CFB (Charles F Benjamin)
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March 11, 1878, answer of Postmaster received:
My father has known Mr Adams for a long time and says Mr Adams is strictly a loyal man. During the War Mr Adams was employed by the US Government, a good deal of the time at work on the Western & Atlantic RR, running from Atlanta GA to Chattanooga TN as overseer. Mr Adams informed me a long time ago that Mr Nance was at enmity with him and intend to inform him sometime or other. I just nearly state this so you can see the nature of the things in this case.
F P Cox, Postmaster.
Source: (fold3.com)
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