Submitted by Fred McCaleb
ABERNATHY, Miles J.
AMERSON, Young R.
COOK, George W.
FILES, Jeremiah F.
FOWLER, William
JOHNSON, Moses
KILGORE, George
LEMONS, David J.
McCALEB, John T.
McDONALD, Alexander
SMITH, Daniel
STOVALL, Green P.
STRICKLAND, Lloyd
STUDDARD, David
STUDDARD, Samuel
TIARA, Jesse V.
TIDWELL, Peter
Background
In the years immediately following the Civil War, the U.S. Government was
besieged with claims from citizens of southern states, many of whom had been
unquestionably loyal to the Union cause during the conflict.
An act of Congress, dated 3 Mar 1871, authorized a special board of three
commissioners to be appointed by the President. These Commissioners of Claims
— known as the Southern Claims Commission — were to "receive, examine, and
consider the claims of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the cause
and the government of the
taken or furnished during the rebellion."
The commissioners were to satisfy themselves about the loyalty of each claimant;
certify the amount, nature and value of the property taken or furnished; and
report their judgment on each claim to the U.S. House of Representatives. That
body, in turn, would approve or disallow the claim and appropriate money for
payment.
The deadline for filing claims was set at 3 Mar 1873 and all evidence must have
been submitted prior to March 1879. In an article written for "The CLF
Newsletter" in 1976, Elizabeth Nitschke Hicks suggested that some of these
claimants may have misrepresented their true loyalties: "[Y]ou should consider
that people did what they had to to receive compensation for losses suffered
during the war. Many southerners did not consider it 'lying' to 'lie' to a
Yankee (especially a bureaucrat)." This appears to have been the case
considering that of the 22,298 claims filed, only 7,092 satisfied the rigid
tests of sworn statements and cross examination required to prove both the
sustained "Unionism" of the claimant throughout the war and the validity of the
claim.
A typical case file may contain any or all of the following types of documents:
summary reports; petitions; inventories for supplies and property for which
compensation was desired; applications to have testimony taken by a special
commissioner; testimony of the claimant and others, both favorable and adverse,
relating to the claim; vouchers; powers of attorney; correspondence; a copy of
the final report; and the certificate of settlement issued by the U.S.
Treasury.
Only 17 claims from Fayette Co., AL, were approved. Just a few notes, taken
from sometimes lengthy case files, are included here. Please refer to the
actual records for additional information. Images of these records also can be
found online at Footnote.com (subscription fee required).
Source: Southern Claims Commission, Approved Claims, 1871–1880:
National Archives Microfilm M-2062, Rolls 9 & 10.
Find geographical lists of all Southern Claims Commission claimants here (PDF
format only)
NOTE: Several of the incidents described below occurred during Wilson's Raid, "a
cavalry operation through Alabama and Georgia in March-April 1865, late in the
American Civil War. Brigadier General James H. WILSON led his Union Army
Cavalry Corps to destroy Southern manufacturing facilities and was opposed
unsuccessfully by the smaller force under Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan
Bedford FORREST."
* * * * *
Miles J. Abernathy
Claim No: 5802
Date of Hearing: 25 Aug 1874
Place of Residence: Near Fayette Court House
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "5 years nearly"
Age: 63 years
Place of Birth: Lincoln Co., NC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: About five miles from Resaca, Gordon
Co., GA
Remarks: "I opened my house to the Federals and my cribbs and told them to help
themselves as long as I had a pound of meat and an ear of corn. I fed and took
care of many soldiers during the year 1864 and from that time on until the
surrender."
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 15 May 1864, while claimant was
confined in prison by the Confederate authority on account of his Union
sentiments, officers and soldiers belonging to the Army of the United States
confiscated livestock, feed, foodstuffs and supplies valued at about $700. In
September 1864, they took 125 bushels of corn worth about $125. In April 1865,
they took $20 worth of fodder.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• James D. ABERNATHY, son, age 23; witnessed incident at farm
• Mary J. ABERNATHY, daughter, age 24; witnessed incident at farm
• Catherine EZELL, daughter, age "30 years nearly," resided at or near Allens
Factory, Marion Co., AL, in August 1871
• Samuel H. EZELL, son-in-law, age 24, acquainted with claimant "all my life
nearly"; lived no farther than four miles and at times no more than 400 yards
from him during war
• Mary Ann NORRIS, resident of Thorn Hill, Marion Co., AL; listed as testifier
for claim (1871)
• Elizabeth STANSELL, daughter, age 27, resided at or near Allens Factory, AL,
in August 1871
• William J. STANSELL, son-in-law, age "29 years and upwards," acquainted with
claimant for 15 years
• Solomon HOYLE, William JONES, D.F. LUTES & David LUTES (prominent Unionists
in Resaca area)
* * * * *
Young R. Amerson
Claim No: 7531
Date of Hearing: 16 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: "For aiding Union men who were trying to evade the conscript law, he
was threatened many times by the rebel cavalry – was arrested and imprisoned
and basely treated on account of his Union sentiment. He had three sons forced
into the rebel army – they came home and he secreted them from the rebels –
they were never again in the army. He had one son-in-law and three nephews in
the Union Army and they remained there until the close of the war."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In April 1865, two fine mares valued at $300
were taken from claimant's residence by officers and soldiers of the Union
army.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.G. AMERSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Abraham KILGORE (KILGO), age 32, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived five miles from him during war
• Zachariah MOORE, age 27, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 10 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; served in 12th
Tennessee Cavalry
• Catherine ROGERS, daughter, age 25, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at farm
• Samuel WHITSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
* * * * *
George W. Cook
Claim No: 21671
Date of Hearing: 28 May 1877
Place of Residence: Walker Co., AL (lived near Dublin, Fayette County, when
petition filed in 1873)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since at least "six months prior to the
rebellion and during the whole of the late war" (moved to Walker County about
1875)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Georgia
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, AL
Remarks: He was known, recognized and treated as a friend to the Union by both
Confederates and Unionists. He was threatened with death by the rebels and hid
in the woods for 6 months to avoid them. He eventually was arrested and put in
jail for his loyalty and was released by a Union scout named John STOUT
(General DODGE's "favorite spy"). He persuaded his son to join the Union army
and also had a brother who served.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 25 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of
General WILSON's army took from claimant's residence livestock, feed and
foodstuffs valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Francis M. BLACK, age 73; resident of Fayette County for about 30 years;
witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Charles COOK, brother, enlisted 1863 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L, at
Glendale, MS; captured by the rebels 26 Oct 1863 near Vincent's Cross Roads,
MS, "and was brutally murdered by them at Andersonville Prison in the state of
Georgia"
• James COOK, son, enlisted 1864 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D, at Decatur,
AL; living in Mississippi in 1877
• Mary A. COOK, daughter, age 34; resident of Walker Co., AL, for two years;
witnessed incident at farm
• James C. COONER, age 41, lifelong resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted
with claimant for 17 years; lived 2½ miles from him during war; served in
Union army
• Elijah A. JEFFREYS, age 43, resident of Fayette County for 30 years;
acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war;
conscripted by the rebels, escaped and hid out with claimant's assistance
• Capt. Stoke ROBERTS, CSA; arrested claimant in Marion Co., AL, in 1864
• James F. STOVALL, age 46, resident of Fayette County and acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived two miles from him during war; Union soldier
• Capt. D.H. WHATLEY, CSA; threatened to hang claimant
• Joseph ADKINS, Isham COCK, A.J. FILES, G.W. JEFFREYS, Richard PANTER, Jacob
PHELPMAN (FELTMAN), John A.W. SHAW, David STUDDARD & Samuel STUDDARD (prominent
Unionists in Dublin area)
* * * * *
Jeremiah F. Files
Claim No: 11631
Date of Hearing: 30 Jan 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 37 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: "My farm" on Wolf Creek in Fayette
County
Remarks: He was threatened by the rebels with damage to his person and property
– they threatened to hang him, shoot him and burn him. They took his
property and even drove his wife and children away from home after taking all
they had to subsist on. He enlisted 1863 in the 1st Alabama Cavalry at
regiment. He influenced about 500 men to join Union army, including two
brothers, two nephews, two brothers-in-law and a number of cousins.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 1 Oct 1863 at
claimant furnished 1st Lt. [William P.] GRAY – quartermaster of the 1st
Alabama Cavalry – two horses and one saddle worth $285.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• B.F. FELPMAN (FELTMAN), age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at Glendale, MS
• J.J. KINET?, resident of Decatur, Morgan Co., AL; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1872)
• Richard PANTER, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
Glendale, MS
• Col. George E. SPENCER, resident of Washington, D.C. (1872); acquainted with
claimant since 1862, when he came into Union lines "as a refugee from rebel
lines"
• J.V. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Jeremiah B. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
* * * * *
William Fowler
Claim No: 10017
Date of Hearing: 4 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Handy
Occupation: Blacksmith
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "Always resided in Fayette County before
and after war."
Age: 55 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was postmaster at Handy P.O. when the war broke out. After refusing
to take the Confederate Oath, he was arrested by Col. JENKINS and kept in a
rebel prison for several days; the P.O. equipment was moved to Mr. GARRISON's
house. He was arrested twice more during the war and held for six weeks one
time and for 13 days another time. He aided Union men to escape the rebels and
rebel conscription officers. Two of his nephews served in the 1st
Cavalry.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a mare valued at $200 was
seized by order of Col. CROXTON during General WILSON's raid. The horse was
bridled and saddled and tied to a gate at the residence of Lewis IDSON in
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.L. BOLTON, age 37, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 17 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served in Union army and was
assisted by claimant while on a "recruiting expedition" in spring of 1864
• William HISAW, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Mary IDSON, age 54, wife of Lewis IDSON; witnessed "yankees" taking
claimant's horse
• R.G. JOHNSON, age 46, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war; served in Union army
• William LAWRENCE, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Nathaniel NELLUMS (NELMS), age 64, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at IDSON farm
* * * * *
Moses L. Johnson
Claim No: 11634
Date of Hearing: 8 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 42 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 100-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was arrested by the rebel cavalry in October 1862, put in prison at
Columbus, MS, and kept for five months. He escaped by cutting a hole through
his cell floor. He hid in the woods to avoid capture; was eventually piloted
to
Cavalry and remained in the Union army until honorably discharged. The rebels
took nearly all of his property. He did not return to
spring of 1867.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 30 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS and "several
hundred Union soldiers" of General WILSON's army took claimant's mule worth
about $160. Incident occurred at residence of Ambrose M. HARDEN in Jefferson
Co., AL, where the mule had been taken for safekeeping during the war.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• David FIELDS, witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Ambrose HARDEN Jr., age 26, resident of Fayette County; shoemaker by trade;
witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Rance HARDEN, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
HARDEN farm
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• James M. STUDDARD, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
* * * * *
George Kilgore
Claim No: 6505
Date of Hearing: 17 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 61 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 140-acre farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette
County
Remarks: He was arrested by Capt. POE, handcuffed for five days and imprisoned
for five weeks. "I was then stripped of all my clothing but my drawers and
shirt and turned loose in that condition and let go home." He later was
arrested by rebel Capt. WHATLEY and William RUTLEDGE and put in jail again
because he would not tell where Union men were hiding. He influenced his two
sons to join the Union army and did all he could to help Union men avoid the
rebel army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, 1,000 Union soldiers under the
command of Col. CROXTON confiscated a large quantity of corn and bacon worth
about $235. The incident lasted nearly two hours.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Thomas CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1871)
• Burrell EARNEST, age 54, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 30 years; lived one mile from him during war; also imprisoned on
account of Union sentiment
• Edward FROST, age 69, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant
for 40 years; also imprisoned on account of Union sentiment
• Abraham KILGORE, age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• John KILGORE, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• Thomas J. WHITSON, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
* * * * *
David J. Lemons
Claim No: 17146
Date of Petition: 23 May 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Dublin
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 40-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was a poor man who was arrested and forced into the Confederate
army. After three or four months (as soon as he could), he deserted. He
joined the Union army 4 Jan 1864 and served until close of the war.
Brief Description of Incident/s: Claimant's horse valued at $125 was taken by
Union forces 15 Apr 1864 at Choctaw Co., MS.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Sarah BROWN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• James HAGAN, witnessed claimant's petition
• Mary LEMONS, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition
NOTE: This file appears at the end of microfilm roll #9 and is incomplete. Mr.
LEMONS also filed a claim in Walker Co., AL, so additional information may be
found there.
* * * * *
John T. McCaleb
Claim No: 10348
Date of Hearing: 1 Feb 1873
Place of Residence:
Place
Remarks: Capt. D.H. WHATLEY threatened to hang claimant for refusing to join the
rebel army. He entered the army of the
1862 and remained until honorably discharged 26 Jul 1865. Other than a few
cousins who served in Union commands, he had no known relatives in either army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 7 Dec 1862 at Cherokee, Colbert Co., AL,
Capt. SWEENEY of General DODGE's Union army corps took claimant's horse and
saddle worth about $220. This happened shortly after a battle at
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at Cherokee, AL
• Johnathan TAYLOR, age 38, resident of Marion Co., AL; witnessed incident at
Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• P.S. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1871)
* * * * *
Alexander McDonald
Claim No: 10347
Date of Hearing: 5 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near New River
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was visited at his farm in July 1863 by a Mr. BEARD (probably a
Confederate conscription officer) and 14 other men. When he refused to tell
where his sons were, he was hanged with a rope three different times until he
was nearly dead. He was then "bucked and gagged" for four hours and severely
beaten over the head. He was taken five miles from his home on foot and
released. Three of his sons enlisted in the Union army, and he frequently
advised other young men to do the same. He declared that he would suffer death
rather than forsake the
been in constant fear of the Ku Klux."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In December 1862, a horse, saddle and bridle
valued at $200 were taken from claimant's son, Miles H. McDONALD, at Cherokee,
Colbert Co., AL. Miles had just entered the Union army of General DODGE when
incident occurred.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Andrew McCALEB, age 56, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 40 years; lived one mile from him during war
• John T. McCALEB, age 32, witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, age 53, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 40 years; lived some four miles from him during war
* * * * *
Daniel Smith
Claim No: 17152
Date of Hearing: 2-4 Sep 1875
Place of Residence: Marion Co., AL, Palo P.O. (now in Fayette County)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since "30 or 40 years before the war"
(moved to Palo about 1868)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Greenville District, SC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 440-acre farm at or near Dublin in
Fayette County
Remarks: Most Union men who remained in the county were threatened to be hanged
and, in fact, some were. Claimant's nearest neighbor was hanged, and claimant
believed his time was close at hand. "I didn't know at what hour or minute it
would be done." He sent three sons into Union army, furnishing them with
money, clothes, arms and ammunition. They each enlisted in the 1st
Cavalry about June 1862 at
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 25 Mar 1865, some 20 or 30 Union troops
under James H. WILSON's command took an iron-gray horse worth about $140. They
went into claimant's stable, caught the horse, haltered it and led it off on
march.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John D. CROW, age 52, resident of Fayette County for 38 years; acquainted
with claimant for 30 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; conscripted by
"rebel & dog cavalry" in November 1862 – deserted in May 1863; later joined
Union army
• Joseph McCOLLUM, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
& claim (1872)
• George W. McDONALD, resident of Fayette County for about 22 years; did not
witness incident but later saw claimant's horse with troops of General WILSON's
army
• Henry H. SMITH, son, age 23 upon entering service
• John M. SMITH, son, age 19 upon entering service
• Matthew J. SMITH, son, age 21 upon entering service
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier
for loyalty (1872)
• James TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Thomas F. (Frank) TUCKER, age 47, resident of Fayette County for 9 years;
witnessed incident at claimant's house from a distance of about 100 yards
• Drew C. WHITEHEAD, age 45, resident of Fayette County for about 9 years
("lived in county of Marion most of my life"); acquainted with claimant for 30
years; lived two miles from him during war; served with claimant's son Henry in
1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D; honorably discharged at Memphis, TN, in January or
February 1864
• W.P. ANTHONY, James BRANNON, Andrew McCALEB, Bird McDANIEL (McDONALD),
Alexander McDONALD, Dr. J.F. MORTON, L.P. MORTON & Joseph P. WHITEHEAD
(prominent Unionists in claimant's neighborhood)
* * * * *
Green P. STOVALL
Claim No: 11640
Date of Hearing: 9 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He refused to enlist in Confederate army. In October 1863, he was
arrested at his house in
seven days at
He spent the next several months imprisoned at various locations from
and remained in the woods near his home until close of the war. One brother
and four nephews served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry under George SPENCER.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of General
WILSON's army took from claimant's residence one horse, feed and foodstuffs
valued at $214.50. The supplies were needed by the army "in order to put down
the rebellion."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Newton ALVIS, age 27, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant
for 20 years; lived "near" him during war; served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• Alford (Alph) RUTLEDGE, age 31, resident of Walker Co., AL; witnessed
incident at claimant's farm
• George STOVALL, age 23, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• James STUDDARD, age 52, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; also imprisoned for refusing to
serve in rebel army
* * * * *
Lloyd Strickland
Claim No: 18765
Date of Hearing: 16 Aug 1876
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "About 7 years"
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Jackson Co., GA
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Near Oregonia, Tuscaloosa Co., AL
Remarks: He resided in Tuscaloosa County for at least six months before the war
and during time of the rebellion. He fed and gave comfort to men trying to
escape rebel conscription, including his son Lloyd Jr., Jackson BOULTON, John
CHRISTIAN, Thomas CLEMENTS, Samuel DAVIS & John HAMNER (HAMMER).
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 9 Apr 1865, Union forces took from
claimant's residence livestock, supplies, feed and corn worth about $580.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Nancy J. CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1873)
• J.J. CLEMENTS, age 30, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war
• Thomas CLEMENTS, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1873)
• John HAMNER, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1873)
• Samuel T. PINION, age 42, resident of Fayette County for 4 years; acquainted
with claimant for 21 years; lived two miles from him during war
• Lloyd STRICKLAND Jr., resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1873)
* * * * *
David Studdard
Claim No: 9461
Date of Hearing: 10 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He opposed secession and fully sympathized with the Union cause. In
September 1863, he fed and took care of a Capt. William D. SHEARMAN and seven
or eight other Union soldiers who had escaped from prison at
He then guided them safely through the rebel lines. He also assisted Union
scouts whenever able. Capt. D.H. WHATLEY of the rebel army threatened to hang
him and burn his property. He was arrested on four different occasions for
disobeying conscript laws and held for weeks at a time at various locations.
He made his final escape from
and retreated to the woods until close of the war. He never fired a gun nor
did any other duty to aid the rebellion.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a portion of General WILSON's
forces took claimant's horse valued at $300. "The horse was a stallion and a
fine animal – worth to the owner much more than we can allow, which must be
his value for army use."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John M. ENIS, age 49, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; member of and "regular
scouter" for 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; lived three miles from him during war; member of and recruiter for
Union army
• William HISAW, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• M.L. JOHNSON, resident of Fayette County; witnessed claimant's petition and
listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Andrew STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• George STUDDARD, age 21, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• James M. STUDDARD, age 22, resident and merchant of Fayette County;
witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Mary STUDDARD, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
* * * * *
Samuel Studdard
Claim No: 6514
Date of Hearing: 23 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and "a very old man." In fact, had
it not been for his extreme age, the rebels probably would have murdered him –
he would not give an inch to them and argued his points most strenuously. He
often risked his life to provide information to Union soldiers when they were
endangered by rebels. He also advised young men to take death in preference to
going into the rebel army. He had two sons and one son-in-law in the Union army
but "would have furnished ten thousand in aid of the glorious cause" if he could
have done so.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 26 March 1865 at claimant's
residence, a party of United States soldiers took a mare, bridle and saddle
worth about $200.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Manerva EDMONDS, age 27, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; lived three miles from him during war; said claimant was a bold and
outspoken Union man
• Thomas R. KILGORE (KILGO), son-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Richard PANTER, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• Adam STUDDARD, age 20, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• Andrew STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, age 50, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; said claimant took care of his family while he (TIARA) was confined by
rebels on account of Union sympathies ~ his signature on affidavit reads J.V.
TIREY
• A.J. TIDWELL, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
* * * * *
Jesse V. Tiara
Claim No: 7552
Date of Hearing: 10 Dec 1871
Place of Residence: Farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker
Co., AL)
Age: 51 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was arrested by rebel cavalry, taken to an infantry camp and told to
report to headquarters at Jasper, AL, within four days. Failure to do so would
result in his being shot or hanged. He arrived in camp on fourth day and was
promptly arrested again. This time, he was told to join HORTON's company, a
home guard unit that was to remain in Fayette County. To his surprise, he was
put under guard the next morning and started for Atlanta, GA. Along the way,
orders were received to take him to the iron works at Blue Mountain (Calhoun
Co., AL). He served five months before deserting and making his way home. He
then took his family to Marion Co., AL, where a large Federal force commanded
by Capt. STOUT protected "Union men." The rebels burned his house and
outbuildings, as well as all of his cotton, oats and fodder, one good wagon and
a set of blacksmith tools. They also cut off the ears of two of his horses.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, soldiers belonging to General
WILSON's Union cavalry took from claimant's farm one dark bay horse and a large
quantity of foodstuffs and sundries valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• A.J. FILES, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• J.F. FILES, brother-in-law, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted
with claimant for 30 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served as
lieutenant in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse L. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• John W. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Thomas B. FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• R. HOCUTT, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• William Y. NORRIS, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse V. TIARA Jr., age 22, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at claimant's farm ~ this affidavit was signed by J.B. (Jerry) TIRIA [sic]
• Riley TIARA, age 63, resident of Fayette County and a former slave of
claimant's father; acquainted with claimant all of his life; said "claimant was
before the war what the people here called an abolitionist and often said to me
that I would live to see the day when I would be free and slavery done away
with in this country"
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Newton WILLIS, age 24, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
* * * * *
Peter Tidwell
Claim No: 17153
Date of Hearing: 19-20 May 1875
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Most if not all of his life
Age: 31 years
Place of Birth: Fayette or Marion County; "near the line of both counties"
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, Fayette County
Remarks: He strongly supported the Union cause. In 1862 or 1863, he was
threatened to be hanged or shot by Harrison EASON of the rebel army. His
property was taken and he was molested so much that he had to go into Union
lines for protection. He enlisted 11 Mar 1863 in the 1st Alabama Regiment of
Volunteer Cavalry, Co. B, and remained in the service until honorably
discharged 22 Jan 1864.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 10 Aug 1865, claimant furnished a
mule worth $125 to J.O.H. SPINNEY, a captain in the 9th Illinois Cavalry, USA,
who was stationed at Fayette Court House.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Joseph McCOLLUM, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, father, age 55, resident of Fayette County for 30 years;
witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• James C. TIDWELL, brother, age 25, lifelong resident of Fayette County;
witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• John CROW, Andrew McCALEB & George WHITEHEAD (prominent Unionists in
claimant's neighborhood)
