LAWRENCE COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Southern Claim of Alfred O. WILLIAMS --------------¤¤¤¤¤¤-------------- Southern Claim of Alfred O. WILLIAMS Claim of Alfred O. WILLIAMS of the County of Lawrence and State of Tennessee Numbered 13983 Appeared on the 16th day of July, 1878, at Columbia in the County of Maury and State of Tennessee Persons present: Alfred O. WILLIAMS, Claimant W. B. WILSON, John H. STRATTON, A.O. WILLIAMS, Jacob WILLIAMS (colored), and Adam WILLIAMS (colored), witnesses Amount claimed: $436.36, for one mare, two mules, and food stuffs were taken by the United States Army by D.A. Cavanaugh, 1st Leut, 18th MO. Vol,. Inf, under the order of Brig. Gen Sweeney on November 16th, 1863. Was taken to Columbia, Tennessee and used by the United States Army. Resided at time said claim accrued: At Marcella Falls in Lawrence County, Tennessee, North East of Lawrenceburg. Witnesses who will be relied upon to proved loyalty: John DAVIS of Lawrence County, TN B. M. NOWLIN of Lawrence County, TN Witnesses to prove other facts: Jacob WILLIAMS (Colored) of Lawrence County, TN Adam WILLIAMS (Colored) of Lawrence County, TN Deposition of Alfred O. WILLIAMS My name is Alfred O. WILLIAMS, my age is 51 years, my residence is in the 14 Civil District of Lawrence County Tenn, and my occupation is a wool manufacture. I am the claimant, and have a bonfide intent in the claim I had been living at the place since 1852 Before the war and when the Secession movement came up I voted against it, but when the next election carried the state I was forced by public pressure to vote for it as it was >>> that if the election carried by a large majority that there would be a compromise . I voted against my principles, but the excitement was high and I was afraid to vote against it, my sympathies were with the government of the United States from the first to the last and never did or said anything against the Union’s cause, except that I might have appeared with the rebellion when in company with those of it’s friends, there was but one vote cast I favor of the union. I was not forced to leave the county and he joined the federal army after leaving. I had a large family of children and colored people that I deemed it my duty to protect and support and all my property was there. I thought by keeping - I could manage to get through the war with safety to my family. I took the oath of allegiance in the month of April 1860, and faithfully observed it. It was administered by the Union troops. I never saw, any of the war, and upon my occasion I was recognized as a union man by the friends of the union, and was allowed to trade through the federal lines all through the war, and I had to smuggle my goods through the Federal lines and on one occasion I had a conversation with Gail NEGLE and I told him how I was fixed, down at home, that I had a wife and six small children, my servants who I deemed were a portion of my family. And that I was bound to support and protect them, and all my property. I asked him for advice and he told me to just attend to my business in the usual way and keep my mouth shut, and I might get through the war as it was impossible for me to take my family away and leave all my property. I acted on the advice of Gail NEGLE and spoke to no one in my neighborhood about the war, but when business required my presence at Columbia where I used to ship my goods. I then found union men who knew me and one W. WILSON and J.H. STRATTON who sold my goods. Will know my sentiments on the war. All my protection papers and passes and oath of allegiance are on file with my application. That on the 19th day of December 1863 the 18th MO Vol, Inf came to my place and while they fed their stock, and took from me one horse and two mules, the horse was well worth $200 and the mules were worth $125 each. The Federal troops also took corn and other foods. Question 3 asked where he was born: Marshall County, TN, formerly of Bedford County. In the election of 1860 he voted against succession, and at the next election voted with the majority He was conscripted, being under the age of 45, I gave a young man under age a suit of clothes, blanket to take my place Did not go into the service of the Confederacy, but had to provide a substitute which was the only way to get released. I did substitute, address of person unknown. Jacob WILLIAMS was a former slave of Alfred O. WILLIAMS W. B. WILSON was not family member but one with whom he traded with in Columbia ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Scott Fraser SOFRASER@aol.com ___________________________________________________________________