Zachariah White's Claim


Submitted by Robin Sterling


Southern Claims Commission File
For the Estate of
Zachariah White (16847) Approved

Submitted 7 Mar 1879

One stallion

$1000

Five horses and a mule

$850

250 bushels corn

$375

4 bushels meal

$6

100 pounds flour

$8

1200 pounds bacon

$300

4000 pounds fodder

$40

8 gallons molasses

$8

Amount Allowed

$515

Remarks: Zachariah White, the original claimant is dead and the claim is prosecuted by his Administrator for the benefit of his son and grandson. The deceased was opposed to the war and made many Union speeches in Winston County, Alabama in favor of the Union. He aided many Union men to escape through the lines and in every way open to him manifested active and earnest devotion to the cause of the Union. A half dozen witnesses testify to his loyal conduct, conversation and reputation and nothing appears to the contrary.

The claimant’s son, Thomas J. White probably entertained Union sentiments but became captain of a Home Guard company and was subsequently mustered into the regular service, took the oath required on such occasions and served for some time in the Confederate Army. He says he deserted, but in view of the record he made during the war, we cannot find him a loyal adherent to the Union. The other beneficiary was an infant during the war, the grandson of Zachariah White, whose father died before the war so that the question of loyalty is not raised against him. We therefore allow the Administrator, Erastus W. Miller, for the benefit of said grandson of Zachariah White, to wit, Willy White, $515. [signed] A.O. Aldis, J.B. Howell, and O. Ferriss, Commissioners of Claims.

 

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

 

The petition of Franklin A. Gamble, Administrator of the Estate of Zachariah White, deceased, a citizen of the State of Alabama, residing at Jasper, in the County of Walker and State of Alabama, respectfully represents that, at the time the claim herewith prosecuted accrued, he (his estate) was a citizen of the State of Alabama, residing in Winston County in said State, that he (his estate) was the original owner of said claim; that no other person or persons (except by his administrator) have any interest in or right to title to said claim or any part thereof; that (his administrators), a citizen of the United States and remained a loyal adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war of the rebellion; that he was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is now made; and that said claim has never been presented to any Officer, Agent, or Department of the Government, nor to Congress, or to any committee thereof, upon information and belief your petitioner avers and states the fact to be:

1st. That on or about the 28th day of November 1863 on the public road near intestates’ officers and soldiers of the United States Army belonging to the 1st Alabama Cavalry, Col. George E. Spencer’s Regiment took and removed one mule, the property of intestate, also on or about the 27th day of December 1864 at intestate’s resident officers and soldiers of the U.S. Army belonging to the brigade commanded by Col. [Poaser?] took one fine stallion horse, one grey horse, and one black horse. Also on or about the 22nd day of March 1865, officers and soldiers of the U.S. Army belonging to Major General J.H. Wilson’s command took one grey horse, one chestnut sorrel horse, one bay horse and iron grey horse; two hundred and fifty bushels corn; four bushels meal; twelve hundred pounds bacon; one hundred pounds flour; eight gallons molasses, and four thousand pounds fodder.

Your petitioner states upon information and belief that all the above named articles numbered from 1 to 12 were taken and used by the officers and soldiers of the United States army and for the use of said army and not for private use of said officers or soldiers.

Petitioner cannot state company that took or used said property.

And your petitioner avers that the aforesaid articles were the property (of his intestate). That the same, as he believes, were taken and supplied for the use of the Army of the United Sates; and that no voucher, receipt, or other writing was given therefore, except as is shown in this petition.

The premises considered, your petitioner therefore prays that he may be allowed the sum of two thousand five hundred and eight seven dollars as compensation for said property taken as aforesaid for the use and benefit of the United States. [signed] F.A. Gamble, Administrator.

 

Witnesses:

To prove my intestates loyalty I rely upon:

Hon. C.C. Sheats, residing at Decatur, Alabama

Andrew J. Taylor, residing at Littlesville, Alabama

John Taylor, residing at Littlesville, Alabama

James Mitchell, residing at Littlesville, Alabama

 

The other matters I rely upon:

Isabella DeGraffenreid, residing at Littlesville, Alabama

David White, residing at Thornhill, Alabama

Andrew J. Taylor, residing at Thornhill, Alabama

 

Question 1 – My name is Erastus W. Miller, my age is 34 years. My residence Walker County, Alabama and has been all my life and am a farmer.

Question 2 – I am Administrator debonis non of the estate of Zachariah White, the deceased claimant in this case, but am not related in any manner to the claimant nor have no beneficial interest in the success of the claim.

Question 3 – The deceased claimant was born in the State of Georgia; don’t know what county.

Question 4 – The deceased claimant was residing in Winston County, Alabama and his original occupation was farming.

Question 5 – As far as he ever knew or heard the claimant advocated the Union cause all the time and was never changed during the war.

Question 6 – He never heard of claimant doing or saying anything against the Union cause during the war.

Question 7 – From what he heard the claimant say and has heard the same from many others that he (claimant) was willing to do all he could in aid of the Union cause during the rebellion.

Question 8 – The deceased claimant done all he could for the Union cause in the time of the rebellion. The claimant fed and protected Union men, made Union speeches, and aided Union soldiers in getting through the Rebel lines on various occasions during the war.

Question 9 – He don’t think the claimant had any relatives in the Union army. Claimant had but one son and he was never in any regular service as I ever knew of. However, his own statements hereunto attached will show conclusively how he stood in regard to any service.

Question 10 – He don’t think the claimant ever was in any service of any kind during the war.

Question 11 – He don’t know of the claimant contributing any money or property to the Union cause, but he was aiding Union men and Union soldiers in passing and re-passing from the mountains of Winston County, Alabama through to Decatur, Alabama during the rebellion.

Question 12 – The claimant stood on the side of the Union in 1860 and 61. That he made Union speeches throughout the senatorial district as a candidate for the senate, on Union principles and voted Union tickets in every election during the rebellion.

Question 13 – The claimant adhered to the Union cause after the State passed into rebellion. This could be clearly proven by 500 good, sensible men of Winston and Walker counties.

Question 14 – He does not know the claimants feelings in regard to this question.

Question 15 – If the claimant had any privileges granted him by the Union forces he knows nothing of it.

Question 16 – He don’t think the claimant ever taken the so called Iron Clad oath at any time during the war or after its close, but I do not know in the positive whether he did or not.

Question 17 – The best known and prominent Union men in claimant’s vicinity were John Taylor, A.J. Taylor, B.F. Curtis, V.S. Roden, Tesney DeGraffenreid, A.J. Ingle, and in short a variety of others of Winston County and some of them are called on to testify to the deceased claimant’s loyalty.

Question 18 – The claimant was threatened in July 1861. Claimant was a candidate on the Union ticket for Senate. His opponent was a secessionist by the name of Hill. They came through Walker County which joins Winston County. They made speeches at Holly Grove where I was then living. There were several rigid secession men came out from the town of Jasper to hear them and General White, the deceased claimant, made a rigid Union speech that day. The next day they were to speak at Jasper and those rigid fell out and said if Gen. White made such a speech at Jasper as he had at Holly Grove they would kill him on the stand. Gen. White staid all night at my father’s house and hearing of these threats asked father to go with him to Jasper the next day. Father could not go himself and sent me, then a boy about 17 years of age with him, to Jasper and the claimant asked me to catch all the dots I could while there and keep him posted that he might prepare to defend himself in case of serious danger. When the claimant got up to make his speech he stated in bold language that he had understood that Zack White would be mobbed there that day. He (White) got out of his pocket a small penknife and turned it over and over in his hand and said that was the largest weapon he had ever carried. He also stated he had never wrote his own name, nor never had read any other man’s name, but said he, Zack White (having reference to himself) came here today to speak his sentiments and should do it regardless of consequences and it was given by all who heard him that he made the best Union speech that they had ever heard him make on any previous occasion. After speaking was over he went down to the hotel requested me at the same time to remain on the streets to hear if any threats were made and let him know immediately those persons who threatened him seeing his determined bold recitation had to abandon their ideas and the claimant was left in peace to remain undisturbed and had no farther trouble. I do not know personally of any other threats.

Question 19 – If the claimant was ever arrested he never knew it.

Question 20 – The rebels taken corn, meat, and horses from the claimant in time of the war but I do not now remember the dates, neither did I see any taken but that was my information.

Question 21 – If the claimant ever had any property confiscated he never heard of it.

Question 22 – He don’t think the claimant ever gave any aid or comfort to the rebellion.

Question 23 – The claimant never done anything against the cause. If he was ever forced to do anything I had no knowledge of the same.

Question 24 – Claimant was not.

Question 25 – Claimant never was

Question 26 – He don’t think he ever did.

Question 27 – Claimant never did.

Question 28 – Claimant never did.

Question 29 – Claimant was not.

Question 30 – Claimant never did own any Confederate bonds or anything of the kind.

Question 31 – Claimant did not.

Question 32 – He don’t think the claimant ever did.

Question 33 – Claimant never was.

Question 34 – Claimant never did.

Question 35 – Claimant never did to my knowledge.

Question 36 – Claimant had but one son, and he don’t think he was in the Rebel service very long if ever at all.

Question 37 – The deceased claimant was never under any disabilities.

Question 38 – Claimant never was pardoned by the President, never had participated in the rebellion to ask for pardon.

Question 39 – He supposed that the claimant like many others taken the amnesty oath at the close of the war, but do not know for certain.

Question 40 – Claimant never was.

Question 41 – He don’t think that claimant ever was.

Question 42 – He knows there never was any fines or assessment levied upon the claimant during the war.

Question 43 – He don’t think there ever was.

Question 44 – Claimant voted all the time for the Union cause.

Question 45 – Claimant never did.

Question 46 – Claimant never was.

Question 47 – Claimant never was.

Question 48 – Claimant never did.

Question 49 – Claimant was not.

Question 50 – Claimant never was.

Question 51 – Claimant was not.

Question 66 – Zachariah White, the deceased claimant, was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken. I am not able to state how claimant came to be the owner, but suppose he had accumulated it mostly on the farm.

Question 67 – Claimant had a large farm situated in Winston County consisting of several hundred acres, but don’t know the exact amount, nor how much was woodland, nor how much was in a state of cultivation.

Question 68 – The deceased claimant never filed any petition in bankruptcy nor has never been declared bankruptcy. [signed] E.W. Miller, Administrator. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Vinson S. Roden, my age is 45 years. I reside in Winston County, Alabama off and on for about 26 years and am by occupation a farmer.

Question 2 – He is not in any way related to the claimant in this case nor is not interest in the success of the claim.

Question 52 – He is here called upon to testify in behalf of Zach White, the deceased claimant in this case.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with the deceased claimant from the year 1860 up to the time of his death, and was intimate with him during the war.

Question 54 – He lived about 20 miles from the claimant in time of the war.

Question 55 – He saw the claimant several times during the war but can’t now remember the exact number of times.

Question 56 – He heard the claimant (White) make a Union speech in the town of Jasper in the County of Walker in the year 1861 and at three other times during the war in this county (Winston) he (White) made Union speeches and he was never known to make any other than Union speeches, but can’t now remember that ever had any private interview with the claimant about the war.

Question 57 – Claimant was a candidate for the senate in the year 1860 against the secession candidate and as I have before stated he made Union speeches all through war at certain places and done all he could for the Union cause during the war and I believe he died a Union man after the war closed.

Question 58 – He never heard the claimant say anything against the Union cause during the war.

Question 59 – He heard nothing said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause but all the time he was for it.

Question 60 – The reputation of the claimant for loyalty to the Union cause during the war was undoubted by all of his acquaintance. Samuel Radford, John Taylor, A.J. Taylor, A.J. Ingle, William Dodd, John Phillips and many others could and would testify to public reputation as being a loyal man to the Union cause.

Question 61 – Prominent Union men are mentioned in the above question and any of them could testify to the loyalty of the claimant.

Question 62 – A Union man during the war and the claimant knew that I was for I gave the Union army my service during a portion of the war.

Question 63 – He can’t say whether the claimant was ever threatened or not.

Question 64 – He does not think a man that made Union speeches during the war could have proved loyalty to the Confederate cause.

Question 65 – He does not now remember any other facts in proof of claimant’s loyalty. [signed] Vinson S. Roden. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is John Taylor. My age is 70 years. My residence Winston County and has been my residence for 40 years and am a farmer.

Question 2 – He is not the claimant nor has no interest in the success of the claim.

Question 52 – He is here called upon to testify in behalf of Z. White, the deceased claimant.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with the claimant about 20 years and was intimately acquainted with him all the time.

Question 54 – He lived in about 4 miles of the claimant during the war.

Question 55 – He saw the claimant as often as from once to twice per week.

Question 56 – The Claimant made Union speeches at the commencement of the rebellion and continued so to do as long as he could. I heard him say in one of his public speeches in the year 1861 that if it would preserve the Union he would willingly submit his own head to the block and have it chopped off. This point could be proven by many witnesses. Claimant staid at my house many nights during the war and I also staid many nights at his and we traveled together a good deal during the war and we conversed together about the rebellion on all occasions and I know if there ever was a Union man in the State of Alabama, Z. White was that man. He was bold and outspoken in his sentiment, and cared no who heard him.

Question 57 – The claimant in the year 1860 taken two of my sons, F.M. and James K. Taylor, and many others, leading the way for them and piloted them through to the Union army and at various other times he was aided Union men and carrying them through to the Union army. Claimant also in the year 1864 kept a man by the name of Woodson Mills, a rebel soldier, who lived in the State of Missouri, concealed for some two months and then he smuggled him in his wagon on a trip to the Tennessee River after a load of salt and carried him through the rebellion and sent him to the Union army. Claimant was all the time on the alert and at every opportunity he was conveying men to the Union army. I have heard him say on many occasions that if he had of been a young man he would go immediately and join the Union army. Again in the spring of 1863, three Federal prisoners broke out of prison at Tuscaloosa, Alabama and was directed to come to my house for protection. I taken them and concealed them in a rock house about one mile from my residence and kept them about two months and claimant aided me in feeding them and clothing them until a proper time in which the claimant (White) brought them news that the Yankees had driven the Rebels out of the valley and then was the proper time for them to get back to the Union army. They left here immediately and by claimant’s assistance they made their way safely and reached their Union friends again.

Question 58 – He never heard the claimant say anything against the Union cause during the war but all that I ever heard him say was for it.

Question 59 – He has stated that in the last two questions.

Question 60 – He knows from what he has heard the claimant say and saw him do enough for the Union cause to convince any reasonable mind that the claimant White was a whole soul Union man. W.R. Godsey, Samuel Radford, A.J. Ingle, B.F. Curtis, W. Tidwell, A.J. Taylor and many others could and would speak in glowing terms of claimant’s public reputation as being that of a loyal man to the Union cause during the whole of the rebellion.

Question 61 – The persons mentioned in the previous question could and would testify to the loyalty of the claimant if called upon to do so.

Question 62 – He was a Union man and claimant knew if by my sending my sons to the Union army and by our frequent conversations when we were together.

Question 63 – The claimant was threatened by the rebels and his family abused and his property taken on account of his Union sentiments. The first part of the year 1864 claimant was arrested by the Rebel cavalry, commanded by one Lt. Bailey and taken to Huntsville, Alabama at which place he (White) made his escape by the aid of some friends and came home again. The Rebels would plunder his possessions and take his property on all occasions when passing his residence because they called him a damned old Lincolnite.

Question 64 – The acts and deeds of the claimant were such as to have prevented the claimant from proving his loyalty to the Confederate cause. All such men as the claimant could not have received any favors from the Confederacy.

Question 65 – The claimant furnished the Union men of this country with a keg of powder to fight the rebels, stating at the same time to the boys, damn the Rebels. He wanted them to kill them out. I heard claimant say time and again he would give up every negro he had to have the Union restored and he would frequently layout with the Union men himself and aid them and tell them how to manage so as to take care of themselves. [signed] John Taylor. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Benjamin F. Curtis. My age is 41 years. I reside in Winston County, Alabama and have for 24 years and am a farmer by occupation.

Question 2 – He is not related nor has no interest in the success of the claim.

Question 52 – He is here called upon to testify in behalf of Z. White, the claimant in this case.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with the claimant from the year 1859 up to the fall of the year 1866 and was intimate with him all of the time.

Question 54 – He lived about 7 miles from the claimant in the time of the war.

Question 55 – He was with the claimant as often as twice per month in the time of the war.

Question 56 – He heard the claimant at all times during the war an advocate of the Union cause. He declared it in public speeches at different times during the war and I have heard him say as often as three times in a public speech that if it would maintain the Union he would freely walk up to the slaughter block and have his head cut off. Claimant said all the time that secession was wrong, was uncalled for, and would ruin the best government the sun of heaven had ever shown its rays upon. I have heard the claimant make use of this language in the presence of from 15 to 50 men at a time. These speeches were made by him to advise the people of this county how to manage their affairs and protect themselves from the Rebel authorities.

Question 57 – He has known the claimant to aid many men in time of the war in making their way into the Union army. I, myself, went across the lines by the advice and assistance of General White together with many others at the same time. That was the business of the General during the war to aid Union men and Union soldiers. Claimant protected Yankee soldiers in time of the war when cut off from their command and aid them back to the Union army.

Question 58 – He does not.

Question 59 – This question is answered clearly in Questions 57 and 58.

Question 60 – The public reputation of the claimant during the war was undoubtedly for loyalty to the Union during the war. I have heard E. Sutherland, W.R. Godsey, Wilson Hood, John Allen, John W. Curtis, C.A. Taylor, Joseph Cumins, A.J. Ingle, C.C. Sheats, and many others could and would testify to the claimant’s public reputation as very loyal to the Union cause.

Question 61 – All those men mentioned in the previous question could and would testify to the claimant’s loyalty if called upon to do so.

Question 62 – He was a Union man and the claimant knew it by his actions.

Question 63 – The Rebels were continually threatening the claimant that they would hang him for his Union principles, and I have lay out with him several nights when he was looking for the rebels to attack him, for the purpose of defending him from the hands of the Rebels.

Question 64 – All of claimant’s acts and language during the war were such that he could have proved loyalty to the Confederate cause.

Question 65 – The claimant kept the family of Dr. Smith who had joined the Union army and was captain of the company in Union service for some time in his care and then aided in them in getting through the lines to her husband. [signed] B.F. Curtis. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is A.J. Taylor, age is 39 years, my residence Winston County, Alabama and has been all my life and am a farmer.

Question 2 – He is not the claimant nor have no interest in the success of this claim.

Question 52 – He is here called upon to testify in behalf of Z. White, the claimant in this case.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with the claimant ever since the year 1860.

Question 54 – He lived about 8 miles from the claimant in the time of the war.

Question 55 – He saw the claimant very often in time of the war. Sometimes I was with him every day for a week and at other times two or three per month.

Question 56 – The claimant (White) was a leading Union man in this country and made many Union speeches; have heard him give the cause that brought up the war, and lament over the destruction of the Union and have heard him say in several public speeches in time of the war that if it would restore the Union he would have his head cut off or his body severed in the middle by a cannonball.

Question 57 – In the year 1862 in this county about 120 of us Union men with claimant at our head, petitioned to the Union army to send us aid to get through the lines as we were determined to die in defense of the Union cause. Our couriers failed to run the blockade and get our dispatch through and we had for the time being to abandon our cause and disperse for the present. Claimant was all the time of the war aiding and protecting Union men and aided them through the lines to the Union army. In the year 1863, I aided the claimant in getting Union men’s horses back from the Rebels and many other cases too numerous to mention.

Question 58 – He does not.

Question 59 – He has stated that in previous questions.

Question 60 – The public reputation of the claimant was good for loyalty to the Union cause during the war and I know it by his words and actions. W.R. Godsey, E. Sutherland, L.H. Cagle, Joseph Cumings, Snowing Frost, N.R. Frost and I could mention many others if necessary that could and would speak in behalf of the claimant being a true man to the Union cause all the time of the war.

Question 61 – Those names mentioned in Question 60 could all of them and many more speak in glowing terms of the claimant’s loyalty.

Question 62 – I was, and belonged to the Union army and the claimant knew it. When I was in the Union army and was passing back and forth very often, and claimant always fed and protected me when I called upon him to do so.

Question 63 – The claimant was threatened by the Rebels to be shot, and I have lay out with him many times when he was on the dodge to escape the Rebels. Also the Rebels would take and destroy his property because he was a Union man.

Question 64 – He has heard the claimant say on many occasions that the war was gotten up by the rotten hearted secession party and [hated?] them so bitterly that he could not have proven his loyalty to the Confederacy.

Question 65 – The claimant furnished the Union men with [provisions?] to defend themselves from the rebels and he aided Union men’s families when they were gone to the Union army. [signed] A.J. Taylor. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Andrew J. Ingle. My age is 52 years. My residence is Winston County, Alabama and has been for 52 years and am a farmer by occupation.

Question 2 – He is not the claimant nor has no interest in the success of the claim.

Question 52 – He is here called to testify in behalf of Z. White, the deceased claimant.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with claimant in this case ever since the year 1859 up to the time of his death which occurred in the year 1866.

Question 54 – He lived 21 miles from the claimant in time of the war.

Question 55 – at the latter part of the war he saw the claimant as often as once per week. The former part of the war, not so often.

Question 56 – He heard the claimant express his sentiments both in private and in public speeches and he was all the time a strong advocate of the Union cause. I never heard him say anything against the Union cause during my life and I don’t believe that any other person ever did. Claimant was aiding and abetting the Union cause during the war and its supporters.

Question 57 – The claimant was aiding Union soldiers families all the time of the rebellion in getting through the lines to their husbands who were in the Union army.

Question 58 – He never heard the claimant say a word against the Union cause during the war.

Question 59 – He heard the claimant in the year 1861 after the State had seceded that if the State had seceded that did not license him to secede and he still spoke boldly for the Union in private and public.

Question 60 – That the claimant was loyal to the Union cause during the war well known by all the citizens of this county. I have heard John Taylor, A.J. Taylor, W.V. Curtis, B.F. Curtis and many others could testify to the public reputation of the claimant as that of a loyal man to the Union cause.

Question 61 – They are already stated in the previous question.

Question 62 – He was a Union man and the claimant knew it by our frequent conversation when we were together.

Question 63 – He heard of threats made against the claimant on account of his adherence to the Union cause. I never heard anything made personally myself.

Question 64 – Any man that spoke both in public as well as private against the Confederate cause never could have proved his loyalty to the same.

Question 65 – He does not now remember any other points that would benefit the claimant at the present time more than I have stated above. [signed] Andrew J. Ingle. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Thomas J. White. My age is 43 years. My residence is Winston County, Alabama and has been for 16 years and am a farmer.

Question 2 – He is a son of Z. White, the deceased claimant in this case.

Question 3 – He was born in Talbot County, Georgia.

Question 4 – He resided in Fayette County, Alabama six months before the outbreak of the rebellion and was farming all the time. Witness states that he moved to Winston County in the fall of 1861 near my father’s residence and was farming most of the time. My wife died and left me with some little children was the main cause of my moving from Fayette County to Winston.

Question 5 – His sympathies were on the side of the Union all the time.

Question 6 – He never done nor said anything willingly during the war.

Question 7 – He was at all times when I could with safety.

Question 8 – In year 1862 in the fall of the year as well as I remember, I aided B.F. Curtis, Charles Taylor, and a man by the name of Hood and Parkill, and several others came to my house and asked me to aid them to get through to the Federal army, which I did in the night time. None of them were my relatives, and have protected layouts from the beginning to the end of the war.

Question 9 – He did not as he knew of.

Question 10 – He was not.

Question 11 – Nothing more than aided Union men and Union soldiers from the beginning to the end of the war.

Question 12 – He voted for the Union cause all the time and used all my influence in defense of the same.

Question 13 – His sympathies were all the time for the Union and I advocated it as long as I dared to talk.

Question 14 – He told all of his friends that it would have saved thousands of lives if the Rebels had been defeated and of ended the war two years sooner and I was proud when the surrender came and endorsed the principles of same.

Question 15 – Nothing more than I was never molested me at all. I was with Union soldiers frequently during the war and we were intimately friendly all the time.

Question 16 – He never taken the Iron clad oath.

Question 17 – The best known Union men were John Taylor, A.J. Taylor, B.F. Curtis, A.J. Ingle and many others could be mentioned and some of them are called to testify to my loyalty.

Question 18 – He was threatened by one Dock Powers, a rebel conscript officer in the year 1863 and pursued by him for several miles and by the aid of some friends we destroyed a bridge and checked his headway and I made my escape.

Question 19 – He was requested to make up a home guard company for home defense by Union men. The sole purpose was to keep out of the Rebel service but finally we were forced to join General Roddy’s Cavalry and I deserted them and came home and I was then arrested by them in the winter of 1864, carried to Moulton for trial, from Pond Springs in Lawrence County where I was arrested. I was arrested by Rebel Col. Jabe Corry. When I arrived at Moulton, the military court was disturbed by the Yankees and they moved to Tuscaloosa to which point I was ordered for trial. The board was again removed to Montevallo at near that point I made my escape and came home and remained there the remainder of the war.

Question 20 – His property was all at his father’s in time of the rebellion and of course was taken the same as was father’s by the Rebels, and have never presented any account, nor have never been paid there for.

Question 21 – There was not.

Question 22 – He never did more than is stated in Question 19.

Question 23 – He was forced by the rebels into the supposed service as I had some little children and their mother dead I could not leave them and go to the Union army or I would have done so, but I thought by remaining here I could aid them in some way at least.

Question 24 – Nothing more than I have already stated.

Question 25 – Nothing more than I have already stated.

Question 26 – He never did.

Question 27 – No, to all of this question.

Question 28 – He never was.

Question 29 – He was not.

Question 30 – No, to all of this question.

Question 31 – He did not.

Question 32 – He never did.

Question 33 – He was not.

Question 34 – I never did.

Question 35 – He never received any pass.

Question 36 – None within my knowledge.

Question 37 – He was never under any disabilities.

Question 38 – He was never pardoned; had not done anything to ask for pardon.

Question 39 – He took the amnesty oath in the summer of 1865 before a Justice of the Peace by order of the President of the United States.

Question 40 – He never was.

Question 41 – He never was.

Question 42 – There was not.

Question 43 – None at all.

Question 44 – He voted for Union candidates all the time, and if the Ordinance of Secession had been referred to the popular vote of the people I should have voted against it.

Question 45 – He did not.

Question 46 – Nothing more than I have already mentioned. I, myself, and my home guard company were conscripted in the year 1863 by one Major Pickett of Roddy’s command. My company was in camp in this county (Winston) when I received notice by Col. or Major Pickett that if I did not report my company to Roddy’s command, I would be sent to Virginia. I reported and remained a while as I have already stated and deserted and was arrested and treated as above stated.

Question 47 – No, to all of this question.

Question 48 – No, to all of this question.

Question 49 – He was not.

Question 50 – He never was.

Question 51 – He never was in the Union army during the rebellion.

[signed] Thomas J. White. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is B.F. Curtis, aged (41) years; residence Winston County, Alabama and has been for 24 years an am a farmer.

Question 2 – He is not related nor has no interest in the claim.

Question 52 – He is here called upon to testify in behalf of T.J. White, son of the deceased claimant.

Question 53 – he has been acquainted with T.J. White from the year 1865 up to the present time and have been intimate with him all the time.

Question 54 – He lives about 7 miles from T.J. White, son of the deceased claimant.

Question 55 – He saw T.J. White on an average of once per month.

Question 56 – T.J. White was much stiller tongued than his father but all the time when I was in his company he spoke in favor of the Union cause and its supporters.

Question 57 – I know that T.J. White kept Union men about his premises concealed in the fall of 1862 for some time and fed them and then piloted them through the night to the Yankee army.

Question 58 – T.J. White was a captain of a company Union men principally after being forced to leave his farm in the Tennessee Valley and moved out on the mountains of Winston County and having a family could not remain in the Valley he sought the mountains for protection. But times got so hot in order to save himself he made up this company of Union men purposely to kill time. Subject to Confederate service near home but not liking his position he deserted and came home and never was in the service any more after that time, or at least that was my understanding. I was with him a short time myself for the purpose of taking shelter, and he gave me a furlough to go home and stay as long as I could with the furlough and then for me to write myself another one and for me never to come by any more.

Question 59 – I have stated that in the two last mentioned questions.

Question 60 – T.J. White was a loyal man during the war to the Union cause. Some men might have said he was disloyal because he was captain of the above mentioned company, but I did not so consider him from the fact he talked contrary to the Confederacy and cursed it all the time in my presence.

Question 61 – The best known and prominent Union men were John Taylor, A.J. Ingle, John Curtis, W.V. Curtis, A.J. Taylor, would testify to the loyalty of T.J. White, son of the deceased claimant.

Question 62 – He was. T.J. white knew it by my words and actions.

Question 63 – He does not know personally that he was ever threatened.

Question 64 – the act of his conveying Union men in the night to the Yankee army and cursing the Confederacy all the time would have prevented him from proving loyalty to the Confederacy.

Question 65 – He believes that T.J. White was as loyal a man as Z. White, his father, and all that he did in time of the war was forced upon him that was in any manner in favor of the Confederacy. [signed] B.F. Curtis. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is A.J. Taylor, aged 39 years. My residence is Winston County, Alabama and has been all my life and am a farmer.

Question 2 – I am not the claimant nor have no interest in the success of this claim.

Question 52 – He is called upon to testify in behalf of Thomas J. White, son of the deceased claimant in this case.

Question 53 – He has been acquainted with the claimant ever since the year 1860.

Question 54 – In time of the rebellion he lived in about 8 miles of the claimant’s, or T.J. White’s, son of the deceased claimant’s.

Question 55 – Sometimes he would be Thomas J. White as often as twice per month; at other times once per month. I saw him as often on an average as once per month during the war.

Question 56 – He had conversation with T.J. White ever time they were together; can’t remember the exact times nor who all were present but I never heard T.J. White speak one word in favor of the Confederacy in all of my life. He favored the Union cause and argued the same from the beginning to the end of the war when in my presence. I am satisfied that he never done nor said anything against the Union cause of his own free will and accord during the rebellion or at least if he did I never heard it nor heard of it.

Question 57 – In the fall of 1862, T.J. White kept some Union men about his premises for some time, fed and protected them and when an opportunity was offered he piloted them through the lines to the Union army.

Question 58 – He does not.

Question 59 – He has stated what T.J. White done and said in Questions 57 and 58.

Question 60 – T.J. White’s reputation as a loyal man to the Union cause was very good in time of war and I know it by hearing him speak of it, and hearing others speak the same. John Taylor, B.F. Curtis, John Curtis, W.V. Curtis, Andrew J. Ingle, and many more could be mentioned that could and would speak in glowing terms of T.J. White’s public reputation as that of a loyal man to the Union cause.

Question 61 – They are mentioned in Question 60.

Question 62 – He was a Union man himself and was so regarded by T.J. White as I gave my service to the Union cause and Mr. White was knowing to the same and seeing and conversing with me at the time.

Question 63 – Either in the year 1862 or three, I don’t now remember which, a Rebel squadron got after T.J. White, myself, and many or several others and pursued us for some distance until we crossed a considerable brook and at the request of T.J. White we destroyed the bridge over the same which enabled us to elude our pursuers and make our escape for the time. I don’t know that T.J. White was ever threatened to his person or family but his property such as some meat and stock was taken by the rebel promiscuously throughout the rebellion.

Question 64 – T.J. White was induced by his Union neighbors to make up a company of Union men for home guard service which he did in good faith (or at least I think so) and after so doing he was conscripted, company and all, and put in the rebel service under charge of General Roddy. He remained there for some time, deserted and came home was afterward arrested by the rebels and sent from pillow to post and hacked about by them until near the surrender when he seized an opportunity and deserted them again and came home and so remained until the close of the war. I don’t think a man that was guilty of such actions as these could have proved loyalty to the Confederate cause, had it been maintained as a separate government.

Question 65 – T.J. White would and did aid Union men and Union soldiers on all occasions when in his power so to do. Mr. White was not as talkative and many others about the war but in sentiment and actions few if any were stronger Union men than he was. His loyalty to the Union cause is undoubted by all of his acquaintances. [signed] A.J. Taylor [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Isabella DeGraffenreid but at the time of the taking of this property my name was Isabella White. My age is 40 years. My residence is Winston County, Alabama and has been for 16 years and am a housekeeper.

Question 2 – She is daughter-in-law to the deceased claimant in this case. I have one son, Willy White, a grandson of the deceased claimant who is an heir in this case. He is now 19 years of age, but as for myself, I have no interest whatever.

Question 72 – She was present and saw all the horses, corn, fodder, bacon, meal, flour and molasses taken.

Question 73 – The property was all taken in the day time; none secretly taken.

Question 74 – If the claimant or his wife made any complaint she never heard them.

Question 75 – She heard nothing said about a voucher or receipt being given nor none asked for.

Question 76 – No, to all of this question.

Question 77 – the troops were on a march or as some people term it, a raid. There had been no battle near there at the time the property was taken.

Question 78 – She saw 7 horses and one mule taken also the corn, meal, flour, bacon, fodder and molasses taken.

Question 79 – 1) The stallion horse was in good condition 2) and was in the stable near the deceased claimant’s residence. 4) The horse was said by men who professed to be horse judges to be as fine a horse as could be found in the southern states. The horse was young—in the prime of life, was of good size, and a fine blooded animal. I don’t remember his pedigree. 5) I can’t say what the horse was worth, but the claimant had said just before he was taken that $1000 in gold could not lend him out of the stable. He had refused large sums of money for him not long before he was taken. Claimant gave in Confederate money in the early part of the war $5000. I am satisfied that he could have sold him for $1000 in good sound currency. 6) The property was all taken in the latter part of March in the year 1865. 7) The army that came by the claimant’s residence was known as Major General Wilson’s Cavalry division of Union soldiers. 8) The horse was taken out of the stable by the troops and led out of the lot; was ten saddled and rode off by them. 9) There was said to have been 10,000 troops in the command, all said to be cavalry with a wagon train, and as well as I know remember they had some artillery along with them. 10) I supposed there were quite a number of officers along as there were many of them dressed different from the main bulk of the command. I heard one man that had tassels on his shoulders and stars on his coat collar say they were on a raid and were forced to take horses to mount their dismounted men, and also was forced to live off the country. 11) As the troops stated that they were forced to live off the country and take horses to mount their dismounted men I then became convinced that the property was taken for the use of the army and was so used by them.

Question 80 – 1) The two gray horses were in good condition and were matches. 2) The gray matches were in the stable at the time they were taken. 4) They were of excellent qualities work in harness under the saddle and anywhere else they had ever been tried. 5) They were worth about at that time $175 cash. 8) Horses were bridled while in the stables by the troops, lead out of the lot by them, and was then saddled and rode off.

Question 81 – 1) The black horse mentioned in claimant’s petition was a first class saddle horse, was between 5 and 7 years of age 2) and was in the stable. 4) Was a good a quality as any horse I ever seen perfectly quiet and docile in every particular. 5) And was worth at that time in any kind of money $200, according to my best judgment. 8) The horse was taken out of the stable by the troops, led out of the lot and was then rode off.

Question 82 – 1) The chestnut sorrel was in good order and was a good horse, but was some 10 or 12 years of age at the time. 2) The black horse was in the lot running loose. 4) This horse was a good agreeable work animal; 5) and in my opinion was worth $100. 8) The horse was taken out of the lot by the troops and as well as I now remember was packed with corn and bacon and led off.

Question 83 – 1) The two horses mentioned in the fifth item, were in good livery serviceable order, were of average size, was about 8 years of age each; 2) was also in the lot. 4) both of them good serviceable farm horses 5) and in my opinion were worth about $110 each. 8) They were both caught by the Yankee troops in the lot and led out and rode off by them.

Question 84 – 1) The mule was in very fine fix at the time he was taken, was of good average size and about 7 or 8 years of age 2) and was in the lot also. 4) The mule was of very good quality, though like the most of animals of his species a little stubborn at times. 5) The mule was well worth at that time $100 in good money. 8) The mule was bridled in the lot by the troops and was led off with a package on his back.

Question 85 – 1) The corn was in good condition and was in the husk; 2) was in the crib. 3) Claimant had a very large crib that he said held 500 bushels when full and it was altogether half full. 4) The corn was good sound corn; 5) and was worth at that time $1.75 per bushel in good money. 8) The corn was throwed out of the crib by the troops and some of it fed by them on the premises and some carried of by them in sacks and removed to where they were in camp at the time nearby the claimant’s residence.

Question 86 – 1) The meal was good meal, fresh from the mill; 2) was in the kitchen; 3) had been measured and there were 4 bushels. 4) Good sound corn meal; 5) and was worth $1.75 per bushel. 8) The meal was put in sacks by the troops and taken off on their horses.

Question 87 – 1) The flour was good white fine flour; 2) and was in the kitchen also. 3) There was 100 pounds of the flour; it was in a sack and had been weighed. 4) As good flour as any of the mills of this county could make; 5) and was worth 8 cents per pound. 8) The flour was taken by the troops and removed by them on their horses.

Question 88 – 1) The fodder was in good condition; 2) was in the barn. 3) There were two thousand binds. Claimant had it counted. He said when put there and none had been taken out of that lot until the Yankees came and they taken all of it. 4) The fodder was good, dry, sound fodder and 5) was worth two dollars per hundred binds. 8) The fodder was taken out of the barn by the troops, some fed on the premises and some was tied up in bunches and taken of to camps by the soldiers.

Question 89 – 1) The molasses was very good; 2) and was in the smoke house. 3) Claimant had an 8 gallon keg full that had never been touched and they were all taken. 4) The syrup was of as good quality as any in this country and 5) was well worth one dollar per gallon in any kind of money at that time. 8) The molasses was poured out of the keg by the troops into their canteens and was so carried off by them to their camps nearby claimant’s residence. [signed] Isabella DeGraffenreid. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Question 1 – My name is Benjamin White (colored). My age is 70 years. My residence is Winston County, Alabama and has been for 20 years and am a farmer.

Question 2 – He was at the time of the taking of this property a slave of the claimant, and I have no interest in the success of this claim.

Question 72 – He was present and saw horses, one mule, corn, meal, flour, bacon, fodder, and molasses taken.

Question 73 – The property was taken publicly and in the day time. None was secretly taken.

Question 74 – He never heard any complaint made by the claimant about any of the property being taken.

Question 75 – If there was any vouchers or receipts given or any asked for he had no knowledge of it.

Question 76 – He don’t know anything in regard to this question.

Question 77 – The property was taken by troops that were on a raid or march and there had been no battle or skirmish near there at the time.

Question 78 – He saw 7 horses, one mule, the corn, meal, flour, bacon, fodder and molasses taken.

Question 79 – 1)

1) The stallion horse was in fine keeping and was one amongst the best horses that ever walked on four feet. 2) The stallion was in the stable. 4) The stallion was easy controlled and well disposed and at the race tracks had never met with his equal. 5) I don’t know what he was worth but have often heard master say he would not touch taking one thousand dollars for him in gold. 6) The property was all taken at the same time and as well as I now recollect was in the month of March in the spring of the summer. 7) The commander’s name was Wilson and the soldiers called him General. I don’t know the names of any of the officers belonging to the command. 8) The stallion was taken out of the stable by the soldiers and led out of the lot and then rode off by one of them. 9) That is impossible for me to do as there was so many of them. Master’s whole place was covered as far as you could see in every direction at the same time. 10) There was several stand of collers [colors] about the house and yard and the man that appeared to have chief control, the soldier called General Wilson. I did not know any of them, had never seen any of them before. 11) I heard some of the soldiers say they was on an expedition was what they called it and that they had to take horses to mount their dismounted men on and also they had to forage off the country as they moved along.

Question 80 – 1) The gray horses were matches and were in the best of condition 2) and were in the stable. 3) There was two of them. 4) They were good quality and would work anywhere in wagons, buggies, plows, or any where else but were used a great deal of their time in the buggy. 5) Master asked $400 for them in good money. 8) They were taken out of the stables by the soldiers and lead out of the lot and then rode off by them.

Question 81 – 1) The black horse was in good order 2) was in the lot or stable, don’t now remember which. 4) This horse was a noble saddle horse, and would work anywhere. 5) I don’t know what he was worth but I heard old master say that he would not take less than $175 for in any kind of money. 8) The horse was led out of the lot by the soldiers and was rode off.

Question 82 – 1) The chestnut sorrel horse was in very good order, though getting somewhat old was all that was sorry with him. 2) This horse was in the lot; 4) and his qualities was very agreeable. 5) I don’t profess to be a judge of the value of horse, but I believe this horse was worth $100 at that time in any kind of money. 8) The horse was bridled or haltered, am not certain which and led out of the lot and as well as I now remember was packed with corn and lead off by the troops.

Question 83 – 1) These two horses were about equally matched in the wagon and harness and was both of them in good condition. 2) They was taken from the claimant’s lot; 4) and were both of them very good quality and agreeable to ride and work 5) and I think at that time worth about $100 a piece. 8) These horses were both of them taken out of the claimant’s lot by the Yankee soldiers and was rode off by them.

Question 84 – 1) The mule was in good livery order 2) was in the horse lot 4) and was a good work animal and also good under the saddle except some times he would become somewhat contrary and stubborn as the most of mules will do at times. This mule was about 8 years of age and above the average size. 5) This mule in my opinion was well worth in good money $100 at that time. 8) The mule was bridled in the lot by the soldiers and was rode off by one of them is my recollection at this time.

Question 85 – 1) The corn was good, dry, sound corn, and was in the husk. 2) The corn was in the crib near the house. 3) Old master had a large crib over half full of corn and it was all taken. I don’t remember the size of the crib correctly, but I think it was 20 feet long, 10 wide and 8 deep and it was over half full. 4) The corn was as good as any corn that could be found in this country. 5) Corn at that time was worth $1.50 per bushel in gold. 8) As well as my memory serves me the corn was thrown out of the crib by the Yankees and part of it fed to their stock and the remainder was sacked up by them and taken on their horses to their camps.

Question 86 – 1) The meal was very good; 2) was in the kitchen. 3) Don’t know the quantity. 4) Good quality; 5) was worth $1.50 per bushel; 8) was taken out of the kitchen by the troops in sacks and taken off by them in their sacks.

Question 87 – 1) The flour was common good country ground flour. 2) It was in the kitchen. 3) Don’t know the quantity. 4) The flour might be recovered as second rate flour; 5) was worth at the time 8 or 10 cents per pound. 8) Taken off by the troops out of the kitchen in sacks and slips and was removed on their horses.

Question 88 – 1) The fodder was in good condition 2) was in the barn. 3) There were 2000 binds. I had counted it when it was put there and none of it had been used as claimant had other fodder in the sacks which he wished to use up first and the troops taken all of it. 4) The fodder was good nice well cured fodder; 5) and was worth $2 per hundred binds. 8) The fodder was taken out of the barn by the troops and some fed on the place and some taken off by them on their horses to their camps.

Question 89 – 1) The molasses was as good as common; 2) and was in the smoke house. 3) Heard master say there was 8 gallons of the syrup and that the Yankees had taken all of them. 4) Suppose the syrup was as good as any in the country; 5) was worth I should think at that time one dollar per gallon. 8) The syrup was taken out of the keg and put into what the Yankees called "canteen" and was taken off by them to where they were camped nearby claimant’s premises.

[signed x his mark] Benjamin White (colored). [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

Willie White, grandson of claimant and son of Henry White, deceased, who died prior to the war is now about 18 years of age. He has no questions to answer. [signed] G.W. McDade, S.C.

 

Additional evidence in the case of Z. White, deceased, No. 16847. Personally came before me George W. McDade, Special Commissioner for the State of Alabama, Erastus W. Miller, Administrator debonis non, who being first duly sworn by me to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth deposeth and saieth first, that he is the administrator of Z. White, deceased. Second, that he knows of his own personal knowledge Elizabeth White, late widow of deceased died about the 18th day of November 1866 and third, that the heirs and only heirs that have an interest in said estate of Z. White, deceased, are Thomas J. White, his son and Willie White, his grandson as deponent is informed and believes. 4th. Henry White, Sr., decedent and father of Willie White died about the year 1860 and before the secession of the State of Alabama, Willie White, being his only heir. Fifth, the said decedent, Z. White, died intestate and therefore the whole of his estate descends in equal portions to the said Thomas J. White, his son, and Willie White, his grandson, they being the only heirs that have an interest in said estate as deponent is informed and believes. [signed] E.W. Miller, Administrator. [signed] George W. McDade, Special Commissioner.

 

State of Alabama, Walker County: In Probate Court of said county, Letters of Administration debonis non on the estate of Zachariah White deceased are hereby granted to E.W. Miller who has duly qualified and given bond as such administrator debonis non, and is authorized to administer such estate, dated this the 5th day of September 1877. [signed] F.A. Gamble, Judge of Probate Court, Walker County.

 

State of Alabama, Walker County: I, F.A. Gamble, Judge of Probate in and for said County and State, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the letters granted to E.W. Miller, as administrator of the Estate of Zachariah White, deceased, which are shown by the records of this court. Given under my hand and seal this the 12th day of January 1878. [signed] F.A. Gamble, Judge of Probate.

 

Claim in the amount of $515 was paid in Jun 1880.

 

Note: Zachariah White was born 27 Feb 1794 and died 19 Dec 1866. He was buried in the New Prospect Cemetery near Haleyville. White was a Brigadier General in the Georgia Militia in the Indian Wars. His son, Thomas J. White was born 1834 and died in 1912.


Home