Submitted by Robin Sterling

Southern Claims Commission File
for
Sally Williams (18699) Approved
　
April 16, 1865
35 Bushels Corn, $70
50 Pounds Bacon, $12.50
100 Pounds Tobacco, $25
Man’s Saddle and Bridle, $15
Submitted 29 Aug 1877
Paid 3 Mar 1879

To the Honorable Commissioners of Claims, (Under the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1871), Washington, D.C.

Remarks: Claimant is a widow. She and her witnesses testify to the loyalty of herself and husband. They fed and harbored Union men hiding from conscript officers. Their son was conscripted and put into the Rebel Army; in a few months he deserted and enlisted in the Union army and died of measles in the service. The property was taken in 1865 by General Wilson’s Command and we allow $60. [signed] A.O. Aldis, J.B. Howell, O, Ferriss, Commissioners of Claims.

Question 1 – My name is Sally Williams.

Question 2 – I am the claimant, and interested by being the owner of the property for which pay is claimed, at the time it was taken.

Question 3 – I was born in Georgia, Putnam County, I think.

Question 4 – I resided near Houston, Winston County, and my occupation was housekeeping for myself. I changed residence one time during the war by moving nearer to Houston to get a more convenient place for making a support.

Question 5 – My sympathies were on the Union side during the war, from beginning to end.

Question 6 – I never did.

Question 7 – Yes, I was.

Question 8 – Yes. I have fed many Union solders and Union men who were lying out to keep from being captured by the rebels. I gave dinner (such as I had) to some twenty of the Union soldiers who were at my house on the day my property was taken, for which I charged them nothing. I only remember one name among them, a Mr. Wilson. They informed me that my property would be paid for. This occurred at my residence near Houston, Alabama. I fed many other Union soldiers, and men who were trying to keep out of the Rebel army, all along during the war. I cannot remember dates. It was all at my residence near Houston. William Farley, Benjamin F. Curtis, Joseph Curtis, Thomas P. Curtis, James W. McCullars, and many others who I do not remember their names, were fed by me during the war. James W. McCullars, my son-in-law was the only one connected to me that I now remember.

Question 9 – Yes. I had a son in the Union army. His name was Joel M. Williams. I think he was in the 1^st Regiment Alabama Federal Cavalry Volunteers. I don’t remember his company. I think he joined the Union army at Decatur, Alabama. He died in the service, I think in 1863 at Decatur, Alabama of measles.

Question 10 – No.

Question 11 – No. I had nothing to contribute.

Question 12 – I took the Union side because I was opposed to secession.

Question 13 – I adhered to the Union cause.

Question 14 – I always wanted the Union side to gain the battles. I was really glad to hear of Union victories, and felt great relief from trouble when I heard of the final surrender of the Confederacy.

Question 15 – None, except Union men were my friends.

Question 16 – No. Never taken any oath.

Question 17 – Benjamin F. Curtis, James W. McCullars, William J. Davidson, William Farley, Jasper J. Williams, William R. Cole, Joseph Baldwin, James O. Farley, George W. Baldwin, and a great many others, many of whom are now dead. Also, Lucinda Cole, one of my witnesses. William J. Davidson is also one of my witnesses. I could get many of these Union men to prove my loyalty, but the ones I have chosen are most convenient.

Question 18 – Yes. The rebels threatened to burn my house, and did take my mule in the spring of 1864, and in the fall of the same year a company of rebel cavalry came and taken all my corn, fodder and provisions meat and hogs, and also taken my son Joel M. Williams’ horse, all on account of our Union sentiments and because (as I supposed) of my feeding and sympathizing with Union men.

Question 19 – No. Except I was kept under guard one night at my home because they supposed I would inform the Union men in the neighborhood whom they appeared to fear. They released me the next morning and went away.

Question 20 – Yes. The rebel cavalry taken my mule in the Spring of 1864, and in the Fall of 1864 they taken my corn, fodder, pork, hogs and all my provisions. This was done by one Dan Watley and his company, all done near Houston, Winston County, Alabama. I never received nor asked the Confederate government or any confederate officer for any pay for the property they forcibly taken and stolen from me.

Question 21 – No. Only as stated before.

Question 22 – No. None, except when they forced provisions and property from me.

Question 23 – None that I remember.

Question 24 – No.

Question 25 – No.

Question 26 – No.

Question 27 – No.

Question 28 – No.

Question 29 – No.

Question 30 – No. Not any.

Question 31 – No.

Question 32 – No.

Question 33 – No.

Question 34 – No.

Question 35 – No.

Question 36 – I heard that some nephews of mine, James Adams and Polk Baugh were in the Rebel army. I did not see them and don’t know anything about it more than I only heard they were in the Rebel army. My son Joel M. Williams was conscripted and taken in to the Confederate army in 1862 or 1863 in the spring of the year, the rebels kept him in prison for a time. I don’t know how long, and then put him out as a soldier where they kept him for five or six months when he ran away from them and came home. He stayed at home in the woods mostly for two or three months but was so hard pressed that he had to leave and cross into the Union lines, and joined the Union army at Decatur, Alabama. I think he joined the Union Army in 1863.

Question 37 – No.

Question 38 – No.

Question 39 – No.

Question 40 – No.

Question 41 – No.

Question 42 – No.

Question 43 – No.

Question 66 – My husband and myself were the joint owners of all the property at the time it was taken, and we had become the owners by working for it, producing and raising it. My husband died the 29^th day of April 1867 and before his decease gave me all his interest in our property and effects.

Question 67 – We had no farm at the time the property was taken, we lived in a little cabin which had been allowed us by a widow Curtis without charge. We had bought the corn and saddle and bridle, and raised the bacon and tobacco.

Question 68 – No petition has been filed in bankruptcy.

Question 69 – I am single now. My husband, James H. Williams died April 29^th, 1867. He was never in the Confederate Army nor in the civil service of the Confederacy. He was loyal to the United States Government throughout the war. He had three children living when he died who are yet living: Lucinda (now Davidson) born July 1843; Hannah E. (now McCullars) born in year 1846; Jasper J. Williams born March 21, 1853. They are not interested in this claim. They are not joined in the petition because they have no interest in my property claim. My title to the property specified in the petition was obtained by my first being a joint owner of it with my husband, and by the gift of my husband before his death to all his interest in the property. I never belonged to any society for, or aided or abetted the rebellion or Confederate soldiers in any manner or form whatever. [signed x her mark] Sally Williams. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner

Question 1 – My name is William J. Davidson. My residence is near Houston, Alabama and has been so for the past seventeen years, my occupation is farming.

Question 2 – I am a son-in-law of the claimant, but I am in no manner interested in her claim.

Question 52 – In favor of Sally Williams.

Question 53 – I have known her for upwards of twenty years. I have been intimately acquainted with her for about twenty years.

Question 54 – I lived within five miles of the claimant a great part of the time during the war, and a part of the time I lived in the same house.

Question 55 – I met her very often. I cannot enumerate the number of times.

Question 56. I often conversed with her about the war. I cannot remember the particular dates, but we talked about the war almost every time we met, sometimes in presence of my family and sometimes in presence of her family, and in the presence of William Farley, James O. Farley, Nathan Montgomery and many other Union men, sometimes at her house and sometimes at mine. The cause of these conversations was the existence of the war and the hard times pressing down on us by reason of the secession of the southern states. I cannot recollect the particular words used by claimant, but I have heard her say many times that the rebels were all dead and that the Yankees would swarm through the country, and always declared herself in favor of the Union, and she, as well as her husband, who was then living, were terribly opposed to secession, the Confederacy and the Rebel soldiers.

Question 57 – Yes. She fed many Union men who were lying out from the Rebels and myself among them. She often carried news to Union men on the approach of the Rebels. This was done all along during the war. I cannot remember the dates, all done in vicinity of and near Houston, Alabama.

Question 58 – No. I don’t know of anything that she ever done or said against the Union cause.

Question 59 – I have often heard William Farley and many others say that claimant fed Union men and Union soldiers during the war and that she was strongly in favor of the Union and the Union cause. I cannot recollect the dates.

Question 60 – The public reputation of the claimant for loyalty to the United States during the war was good, none better. I know it by often hearing her during the war, declare herself in favor of the Union, and saying that she hoped the Rebels would all get whipped out &c. I have heard William R. Cole, William Farley, Nathan Montgomery and many other Union men speak of her and her loyalty to the United States during the war. John Montgomery, Benjamin F. Curtis, William A. Channell, John W. Steele, W.V. Curtis, Samuel Wiley, and many others could testify to her public reputation during the war.

Question 61 – George Hullett, William H. Hyde, William Farley, John Hill, Benjamin F. Curtis, William V. Curtis, John W. Steele, Samuel Wiley, James O. Farley, and others can testify to claimant’s loyalty to the United States during the war.

Question 62 – I was. The claimant knew I was a Union man and opposed to the Rebels and their cause. She knew it because she saw me often while I was keeping out of the way of the Rebels and by often hearing me declare myself in favor of the Union cause and opposing the Rebels.

Question 63 – Yes. The Rebel cavalry taken claimant’s property, and her husband’s property, during the war. They taken a mule in spring of 1864 and in fall of 1864 taken all their corn, meat and provisions.

Question 64 – Nothing more than feeding Union men, and declaring herself opposed to the Confederacy in favor of the union.

Question 65 – Yes. She, as well as I remember, advised her son to join the Union army if he could get to it and I have often heard her say that if she was or had been a man she would join the Union army and help to whip out the Rebels. [signed x his mark] William J. Davidson. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner.

Question 1 – My name is Lucinda Cole. My age 35 years. My residence has been at or near Houston, Winston County, Alabama, continuously since the year 1859. My occupation has been housekeeping, cooking, washing and making clothing for my family.

Question 2 – I am not related to the claimant, nor am I interested in the success of her claim.

Question 52 – In favor of Sally Williams.

Question 53 – I have known her intimately for the past seventeen years.

Question 54 – I lived within three miles of her during the war, and part of the time within two miles.

Question 55 – Yes. Sometimes once a month and sometimes once a week.

Question 56 – I often heard the claimant talk about the war, almost every time we met. I cannot remember the dates. She talked in presence of my father, William A. Channell, Thomas Abel, John M. Cole, my husband, and many others, both men and women. She so talked at my house, at my fathers, at her own residence and often among the neighbors. She always bitterly opposed the Rebels and their Confederacy. The cause of such conversations was that the Union people here were much oppressed by the Rebels. I also know James H. Williams, the husband of said Sally Williams, who died in April 1867 near Houston, Winston County, Alabama. Said James H. Williams was most strictly a Union man, and always so expressed himself when he dared do so.

Question 57 – Yes. She fed many Union men who were trying to keep out of the Rebel army and packed provisions to them in the woods where they were hiding from the Rebel cavalry. I cannot remember the dates, but she did so, a great many times during the war, at her residence near Houston, Alabama.

Question 58 – I do not.

Question 59 – I never heard of the claimant doing anything against the Union cause. I heard some Rebels, by name of Williams (no relation to claimant) about August 1861 call claimant and her family Lincolnites. I have heard many Union men speak of the loyalty of the claimant and her family to the United States Government at many times during the war.

Question 60 – Claimant had a good reputation for loyalty to the United States Government during the whole period of the war. I know it by often being with her in the time of the war, and by hearing many who knew her so express themselves. William A. Channell, George Hullett, William R. Cole, James W. McCullars, William J. Davidson, William Farley, B.F. Curtis, and many others, could testify to claimant’s public reputation.

Question 61 – William Farley, William R. Cole, Lewis Shelton, George Hullett, James W. McCullars, William J. Davidson, William A. Channell, Benjamin F. Curtis, and several others were prominent Union men in the neighborhood of claimant during all along through the war, and all of them can testify to claimant’s loyalty, and also to the loyalty of her deceased husband.

Question 62 – Yes. Claimant knew me to be such by often hearing me so express myself.

Question 63 – Yes. I heard the Rebel cavalry, old Dan Watley’s company, say they would kill James H. Williams, the husband of claimant, and that they intended to burn their house and property because claimant and her husband were Union people, and aided Union men and soldiers. I also know that the Rebel cavalry, Watley’s Company I think, took a mule belonging to claimant and her husband. They also took all their corn, meat and provisions in the year 1864. They took the mule in the spring and the other property in the fall, and left them with nothing.

Question 64 – I have heard claimant and her husband often say that they would never aid the Rebels in any way.

Question 65 – The claimant and her husband, now deceased, were known to be firm Union people during the war, is all I can say. [signed] Lucinda Cole. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner.

Question 72 – I was present when all the property charted in this claim was taken. I actually saw it taken: corn, bacon, tobacco and man’s saddle and bridle.

Question 73 – It was all taken in my presence in day time.

Question 74 – We made no complaint to any officer or soldier of the taking of the property, as they said it would be paid for or paid back, and we did not know what to say or do about it.

Question 75 – No. We did not know how to do.

Question 76 – No payment has ever been made for any property charged in this claim. No payment has been made for any property taken at the same time as the property charged in this claim. No payment has been made for any property taken from claimant during the war. No property included in this claim has heretofore been included in any claim presented to Congress or any officer or authority whatever. This is the only claim ever presented to any authority whatever for property taken during the war.

Question 77 – The property charged in this claim was taken by General Wilson’s troops while camped at or near Houston, Alabama for part of a day and while on a raid south about 24 March 1865.

Question 79 – 1) It was good dry corn, part of it husked and part in the shuck. 2) It was at our house near Houston, Alabama. 3) There was at least thirty-five or forty bushels. We had husked and measured about half of it; measured up twenty-two bushels, as well as I remember. 4) It was corn sorted out for our bread, good and sound. 5) It was worth two dollars per bushel in United States money, or specie. 6) The property was taken about 24^th March 1865. 7) It was taken by General Wilson’s troops, as they called themselves. 8) The property was taken by the troops who came to my house and carried it off in sacks, some on horseback and some on foot. 9) There were some twenty-five or thirty men or more engaged in taking off the property. There were about four hours taking the property. 10) I did not know officers from the men. 11) The soldiers said there were out of supplies and were compelled to have feed &c. I supposed they were compelled to have it or suffer for feed.

1) The bacon was good sound dry meat, and consisted of about fifty pounds or more. 2) It was taken from our house near Houston. 3) There was about 50 pounds or more, it was of a large hog that weighted about 265 or 270 pounds. 4) It was good dry bacon. 5) It was worth about 30 cents per pound in U.S. money. 6) It was taken about 24 March 1865. 7) Taken by General Wilson’s troops. 8) The bacon was taken by soldiers on his horse and carried to the camp. 9) Some twenty-five or thirty men. They were camped near us for part of the day and they went on. 10) Did not know officers. 11) The soldiers said they were out of rations and were compelled to have the bacon.

1) The tobacco consisted of a barrel full of twists closely packed by hand and a large bundle in the head. It was taken at the same time and in the same manner as the other property, and was taken by parcels by the soldiers who were out of tobacco. The tobacco was worth one dollar or more per pound in United States money.

The saddle and bridle was taken at the same time, by the same soldiers as the other property. They carried them to their camp and on the raid. They said they were compelled to take them for a soldier who had none, and that they could not do without them. The saddle and bridle was well worth fifteen dollars at that time in United States money. [signed x her mark] Sally Williams. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner.

Question 1 – My name is Jasper J. Williams. I reside near Houston, Winston County, Alabama and my occupation is farming.

Question 2 – I am a son of the claimant. I am not interested in the claim in any way.

Question 72 – Yes. I was about the premises. I saw all the property charged in the claim taken. It consisted of thirty-five bushels or more of corn; about fifty pounds of bacon, it was one large side, and large shoulder or ham. This bacon was of a hog that weighted 260 or 270 pounds. I saw the hog killed and weighed. The tobacco consisted of a flour barrel full of tobacco in the twist closely packed in by hand, and a pile in the hand as large or larger than a flour barrel. The bridle and saddle were good, had not been used a great deal. They were what is generally called a good citizen saddle and bridle.

Question 73 – The property was all taken publicly in the day time.

Question 74 – I did not hear any complaint made to anyone about the property, but I heard some of the soldiers say that the property would be paid for and paid back. I did not know the name, rank or regiment of any of the officers. It was known as General Wilson’s command.

Question 75 – None that I know about. The claimant did not know what to do or who and what to ask.

Question 76 – None. No pay has been received for any property taken at the same time as the property charged in this claim. No payments have ever been made to claimant for any property taken during the war. The property charged for in this claim has never been included in any other claim, and no other claim for property taken or furnished during the war has ever been presented to any department, court or officer whatever, for pay, to the best of my knowledge.

Question 77 – The property charged in this claim, was taken by General Wilson’s soldiers while camped at Houston for part of a day resting. They appeared to be on a raid southwards

Question 79 – The corn was good sound dry corn, all in the ear except a small part shattered off. Twenty-two bushels of it was husked and measured, the balance had the shuck on and we supposed it would measure almost as much as that which had been measured. The bacon consisted of one large side and a ham or shoulder. I am confident it would have weighed fifty pounds or more. The tobacco consisted of a flour barrel full of twists closely packed in by hand and pile in the hand as large as a flour barrel. I am sure it would have weighed not less than a hundred pounds and perhaps considerably more. The saddle and bridle was considered a good man’s or citizen saddle and bridle, and had not been used a great deal. I think worth at least fifteen dollars. This property was all taken from my father and mother’s house near Houston, Winston County, Alabama in March 1865. I don’t remember the day. I know the quantity of corn by having measured a part of it myself. The other property I often saw and was well acquainted with it. The corn at that time was worth two dollars per bushel in any kind of money and very seldom could be bought at that. The tobacco was worth at that time to the best of my knowledge in United States money about fifty cents per pound and perhaps more. Bacon was then worth about twenty-five and thirty cents per pound. The property was taken about March 1865 by General Wilson’s soldiers. The troops came to the house of my father and mother and removed the property by carrying it away in sacks, on horseback, by packing it on their backs and by hand &c. I suppose that some twenty-five or thirty men were engaged in carrying the property away. They were but four hours removing the property, carried it to their camp a short distance. I did not know officers from soldiers. It was said to be General Wilson’s raid going south. I think the property was necessary for their use and consumption, owning to the long march and the great scarcity of provisions in this part of the country. [signed] Jasper J. Williams. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner.

Question 1 – My name is Lewis Shelton, age 67 years. I have resided near Houston upwards of twenty years, occupation farmer.

Question 2 – I am not related to the claimant, nor in any way interested in the success of the claim.

Question 72 – I was not present when the property was taken but saw some of it after it was taken.

Question 73 – I suppose the property was taken in the day time as the soldiers came and went away in the day time.

Question 74 – I don’t know.

Question 75 – I don’t know.

Question 76 – I believe not. This is the only application that I have ever heard of the claimants presenting in any way for pay.

Question 77 – The property was taken by General Wilson’s cavalry, so they were called, while stopping at Houston for a few hours and while they appeared to be on a raid south.

Question 79 – I was at Houston on or about the 24^th day of March 1865 while General Wilson’s cavalry were stopping there, but did not stay there but a very short time. I did not see the property charged in this claim taken by the soldiers. The soldiers informed me that they got the corn from claimant and her husband, or both. I saw the corn scattered about on the ground where they had been feeding their horses. This was all I saw. Corn was very scarce and high priced here at that time. I don’t think it could have been bought for less than two dollars per bushel in any kind of money. Bacon at that time was worth about thirty cents per pound, tobacco was worth about one dollar per pound. [signed x his mark] Lewis Shelton. Attest: A.B. Hays, Special Commissioner.

Note: Monuments in the Williams – Everett Cemetery near Houston recorded James H. Williams was born 2 Apr 1814 and died 29 Apr 1867. Williams served as Winston County Probate Judge from 1864 to 1865. Sarah A. Williams was born 18 Feb 1812 and died 13 Mar 1892.