The Southern Claims Commission was created by an Act of Congress approved 3 Mar 1871 to allow Union sympathizers from the Southern States to apply for and receive compensation for stores and supplies confiscated by the Union Army during the war. In early 1872, the Act was extended to include property taken by the Navy. Applicants were required to prove they were loyal to the Union during the War, and the amount, nature, and value of the property taken.
In all, more than 22,000 claims were filed but fewer than a third were approved. Proving one's loyalty was not always easy; and there were some whose claim of loyalty to the Union was contradicted by Confederate records available to the Commission. Even claimants who could prove loyalty to the Union sometimes wildly exaggerated the value of the items taken.
In Benton County, the claims were for a wide variety of items, including horses, mules, oxen, cattle, hogs, sheep, grain, fodder, bacon, flour, molasses and sugar, wagons and bedding, bee hives, lumber, fence posts and rails, and at least one "house appropriated for a fort." Those files which include records of the testimony can be quite large and may contain a wealth of information about family, friends, and events. These abstracts are for claims filed by people who were residents of Benton County, either during the war or at the time of filing, and include only the bare facts of the claims.
| Claim | Witnesses | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Harrel, Leaman Claim No: 9621 Amount: $800.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 6 Oct 1872 |
William Waumack, Isaac Harrell, Miles A. Harrell, Elizabeth Waumack | Age 40. Claimant says that in August 1862 the Military were enforcing Rebel Conscription Act and he volunteered that he might have the privilege of choosing hiw own Regiment etc. In the course of a few months he deserted. We reject this claim. |
| Harston, Robert Claim No: 10521 Amount: $2,950.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 15 Apr 1871 |
Charlotte Patterson, Isabella Howard, Daniel M. Price, Joseph Price, Jas. D. Harston, Charles Rice, Elijah Buttram, A. P. Hall. | Mr. Harston sold the Confederatacy $270 worth of corn in September 1862 for which he was paid, etc. |
| Hart, Edmond L. Claim No: 9619 Amount: $1,948.50 Allowed: $622.50 Filed: 15 Nov 1871 |
Council L. Hart, Jane Lechliter, Mary Hart, Elizabeth Derryberry, James W. Oakley, Wallace True, John W. Stroud, John G. Curtis | Lived on his farm of 320 acres about 4 miles S. of Bentonville. In Feb 1862, the Army under Gen'l Curtis camped about 1-1/4 mile of his house. He was serving as guide for Gen'l Curtis and when he returned met many soldiers coming from his house to the camp with bacon, flour, corn, etc. The next morning Gen'l Curtis sent him a guard & after that he was pd. for all they took. |
| Hasting, William Claim No: 1625 Amount: $3,720.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 15 May 1871 |
Joseph Fair, James Baker, J. N. Curtis, Delilah Hasting | Was disloyal. |
| Hastings, Henry C. Claim No: 9282 Allowed: $774.50 Amount: $0.00 Filed: 1 Jun 1871 |
William Burrow, Garrett G. Buckner, Isacc Edwards, William Curtis, Mrs. Frances C. Baker, James Haslett, Robt. Curtis, John Galbreath, W. C. Lefors | Served under General Jackson in the War of 1812. Landlord Garrett Buckner owned 2/3 of the crop for which he has made claim. "Was disloyal." Son, John W. served in Confederate Army. |
| Hastings, Louisa Claim No: 21545 Amount: $230.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 24 Feb 1873 |
Martha Bacon (Texas), Louisa Ward, J. L. Ward | Residence Maysville but on the Cherokee side of the line. Widow of Mr. Williams. |
| Hawkins, Louisa Claim No: 9798 Amount: $299.00 Allowed: $174.00 > Filed: 21 Jun 1871 | John Hawkins, Mary J. Hoback, Wallis True, William Derreberry, Samuel B. Derreberry, William C. Derreberry | Farm about 6 miles S.W. of Bentonville. Husband died in March 1860. She testifies the property claimed was her own. She lived with her father on his farm, a mile from her own, till 1 Nov 1862 when she went with her father & brother under the protection of a federal train to Kansas where she staid till the close of the war. None of her 5 children were over 12 years at the end of the War. Mr. Gambill, Dr. Taliaferro and 3 others testify to her loyalty. |
| Hays, William Claim No: 9799 Amount: $537.75 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 2 May 1871 |
Martha Hays, Henry B. Hays, Elizabeth Hays, Rebecca Munz, Charles W. Rice, M. F. Buttram, E. H. Buttram, L. G. Munz | Mr. Hays furnished the Confed. Government four mules and two sets of harness on the 18th June 1862, for which he was paid $1,050. See receipt to Maj. J. D. Adams, Nov 15, 1862, at Little Rock, Ark. Confederate Bond and Surety. |
| Henry, Thomas P. Claim No: 9277 Amount: $806.25 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 13 May 1871 |
Eliza A. Henry, Martha R. Henry, A. G. Henry, Mary Jane Pace, Christopher S. Pace, Edward Heart, Harvey Marley, John W. Simmons, James W. Maxwell | |
| Howard, Samuel A.
Claim No: 683 Amount: $150.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 12 Apr 1871 |
James Woolsey, William J. Howard, Mrs. S. A. Black, John P. Cox (Missouri), John N. Curtis, John Galbreath, James W. Clark | |
| Ingram, Sandey Claim No: 20152 Amount: $632.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 7 Feb 1873 |
John Blevins, Susan Dickey | |
| Jackson, Thomas Claim No: 9625 Amount: $1,162.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 17 Jun 1871 |
Isaac Harrel, Sarah Ward, William Edwards, J. M. Higginbottom, S. C. Higginbottom, Robert Jackson, D. W. Jackson, John Galbreath, Richard Wammack | |
| Johnson, Elizabeth Claim No: 9273 Amount: $1,490.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 1 May 1871 |
James P. Johnson, M**ton Reed, Rebecca Reed, John Johnson, John Keel, Permelia A. Johnson, Adaline Baker, Sarah Newman, George Mays, Rebecca Holcomb, Margaret J. Lynch, Sarah m. Owens, Cyntha A. Lynch | |
| Jones, Nancy D. Claim No: 9244 Amount: $622.80 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 1 May 1871 |
Cyntha A. Lynch, Pricilla Elizabeth McKeen, Martha Pitts, Mary Hamish, B. Pitts, James T. Johnson, Geo. Mays, Permelia Johnson, Rebecca Holcomb, Rhody Baker, Margarett J. Lynch | |
| Keele, John Claim No: 9280 Amount: $1,305.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 6 May 1871 |
S. H. Johnson, Royal Neel, Lafayette Moran, Richard J. Maxwell, Thomas Grimsley, Permelia a. Johnson, John M. Johnson, Martha J. Cooper, G. W. Hamby | |
| Keith, William Claim No: 18726 Amount: $1,700.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 8 Jan 1873 |
James Harper, C. C. Kelley, John May, Simon Meeks, Sarah Keith, Eliza Jane Hedges, Julia Hollingshed, Arminda Green | Had a son in the Confederate service. Was considered a Rebel -- is not yet reconstructed. |
| Keltner, Andrew Claim No: 9274 Amount: $1,112.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 15 May 1871 |
Henry Keltner, Jasper Keltner, Arresia Keltner, John S. Reynolds, William Pace | |
| Kindly, Cyrus Claim No: 17241 Amount: $2,010.50 Allowed: $959.00 Filed: 11 May 1871 |
Cynthia H. Kindley, Thomas F. Kindley, Maggie Kindley, Wm. H. Woods, William W. Black, John N. Curtis, John W. Stroud, Maj. R. k. Hart (Springfield, Mo.) | Claimant is 57 years old. Resided on farm in Benton Co. till 1864 when he removed to Missouri to get away from the Rebels, who had frequently taken his property and robbed him. Opposed to secession and adhered to the Union and bore the reputation of loyal man. |
| Lambeth, Alson G. Claim No: 16160 Amount: $1,550.00 Allowed: $800.00 Filed: 29 Aug 1872 |
Maj. R. K. Hart, (Springfield, MO), Cyrus Kindley, William Blagg and Asa Ellis (Bourbon Co. KS), John W. Curtis | Claimant is 43. Was drafted by Rebel army in 1862, but left Benton Co. under the protection of Union Army and went to Kansas where he still resides. Worked as a teamster for the Union Army. Two witnesses, his neighbors and kindred testify to his loyalty. |
| Latham, Thomas Claim No: 11539 Amount: $301.00 Allowed: $210.00 Filed: 1 Feb 1872 |
No local witnesses. | Farmer, 33 years old when war began. In late 1862, in order to delay conscription, he contracted with the Confederates to deliver saltpetre from a cave on his father's land, expecting the Union troops to arrive shortly. He delivered 500 lbs, but in December, when the advance of Federal troops was delayed, he hid the rest of the saltpetre and fled to the woods to hide from the Rebel conscription officers. In August 1863, joined the 1st Alabama Federal Cavalry and rose to rank of Lieutenant. |
| Latty, Matilda Claim No: 684 Amount: $156.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 14 Apr 1871 |
Charles T. Dunham, Delily Woods, Samuel Ramsey, Charles Walls, John Gordon | |
| Layne, Andrew J. Claim No; 9226 Amount: $495.00 Allowed: $230.00 Filed: 7 Nov 1871 |
Danl. C. Thurman, Joshua Hill, Thos. Stark, Jno. Truesdale, B. Smith (all of Washington Co.); Capt Jno A. Dienst (1st Ark Cav.) Jos. R. Rutherford, Ed England (all of Benton Co.) | Threatened by the Rebels who searched his house for him, molested his family, and took 3 horses and flour. In 1864, enlisted in the State Federal Militia and served 3 months. One brother in the Union Army & two in Texas in the Rebel Army. Several witnesses testify to loyalty. |
| Leach, James Claim No: 9638 Amount: $570.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 11 May 1871 |
William Luck, Sally Luck, Minerva J. Leach, Nancy Barnhill, J. N. Curtis, Samuel Ramsay, Joel Buttram, E. L. Hard | |
| Lefors, John Claim No: 9631 Amount: $767.75 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 8 Jun 1871 |
Henry Lefors, Jane Lefors, W. c. Lefors, Sarah Lefors, Benjamin Lefors, Kinneman, M. LaRue Harrison, E. M. Thomason, Henry Lefors, J. G. Curtis, W. C. Lefors, G. W. Mitchell, Joseph Thomas, Isaac January | |
| Mann, Cynthia C. Claim No: 5790 Amount: $397.00 Allowed: $79.00 Filed: 24 Jun 1871 |
M. C. Crowden, Mrs. Jane Clark, Nancy A. Mann, Sarah J. Mann, Mrs. Martha Clark, J. N. Curtis, M. C. Crowder, James W. Clark. | Her husband, Robert Mann, was shot 23 Mar 1868 on his way home from a journey. He left 7 children -- the oldest a minor under 16 at the close of the war. He was drafted into the C.S.A. in 1863 where he staid three months & then deserted & went to Ft. Smith then in possessionn of the federals & went to work in the Govt. blacksmith shop & remained in the service of the Govt. till the close of the war. He & his wife were unquestionably loyal. He voted for the Union ticket, was threatened & molested. He had taken by the rebels 2 cows, 1 mare, 2 mules & other property. |
| Marshall, Thomas R. Claim No: 9632 Amount: $1,122.50 Allowed: $376.00 Filed: 22 Apr 1871 |
M. H. Marshall, Thomas Marshall, C. W. Rice, Reuben Deans, Arch Blansett, Lewis Pratt | He was threatened and robbed by Rebels and in 1864 moved to Missouri to escape them. Two Union neighbors confirm his statements and testify to his loyalty. |
| Martin, Mary Claim No: 5791 Amount: $1,240.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 17 Jul 1871 |
Catharine Warren, Martha Moore, Eliza Wood, Geo. W. Warren, John H. Patterson, Wiley Foster, Charles N. Rice | |
| Martin, William N. Claim No: 5789 Amount: $1,780.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 20 Jul 1871 |
Horace Patterson, Jane Patterson, Martha C. Martin, Margarett E. Fine, Joseph A. Martin, Asbury Dawson, George Dawson, Kesiah Dawson, A. D. Williams, John S. Reynolds, Christian C. Sager | |
| Mason, John J. Claim No: 9634 Amount: $627.50 Allowed: $353.00 Filed: 4 Jul 1871 |
John T. Mason, Joshua Mason, Andrew J. McClellan, John Kimbrough, James P. Lumer | Resided in Benton Co. and was over conscript age. Swears to loyal sympathies and that he voted the Union ticket. Two sons in 1st Arkansas (Union) Regiment, One son was a short time in Confederate Army but deserted and enlisted in Union Army. In 1864 claimant was threatened by Rebels and in such peril from Bushwackers that he went into Choctaw Nation and remained till the close of the war. Several witnesses testify to his loyalty. |
| Mason, William H. Claim No: 9635 Amount: $1,965.00 Allowed: $794.50 Filed: 4 Jul 1871 |
Joshua Mason, John B. Mason, Joseph D. Mason, Paschal Turner, John J. Mason, Wm. C. Derreberry, Henry Lefors, Thos. Trammell, J. N. Curtis | Farmer, about 60 years of age. Resided in Benton Co. until the fall of 1862 when to get out of the Confederacy, he went with a detachment of the Federal Army to Kansas where he remained till after the war. Opponent of secession and unquestionably a Union man. |
| Maxwell, James W. Claim No: 9245 Amount: $1,119.25 Allowed: $312.00 Filed: 2 May 1871 |
Arseny Maxwell, Marildy Maxwell, Newton J. Maxwell, Margarett Maxwell, John R. Maxwell, Mrs. Thomas Hewey, John N. Curtis, John W. Stroud, Isam Watson, Jackson R. Maxwell | Claimant swears to loyal sympathies and that he went to Springfield MO in 1864 to get out of the way of the Rebels but returned and joined a Union Military Company for mutual protection. Two sons entered the Rebel Army but soon deserted and at his suggestion enlisted in the Union Army. Three or four witnesses confirm his statements and testify to his loyalty. Evidence shows he was abused, beaten and robbed by Rebels because he was an old Union man. |
| Maxwell, Ozias D. Claim No: 685 Amount: $527.50 Allowed $0.00 Filed: 11 Apr 1871 |
William H. Woods, Robert S. Woods, Miss Elizabeth Woods, William W. Black, James M. Jenkens | |
| McKeen, Elizabeth Claim No: 9639 Amount: $410.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 6 May 1871 |
Susan McManis, William W. McKeen, Delilah Neal, Polly Maupin, John G. Curtis, Edmond L. Hart, James W. Oakley, Henry McManis | |
| McPhaill, Elizabeth V. Claim No: 19426 Amount: $6,378.25 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 25 Jan 1873 |
Daniel Heydon, Troy McPhaill, May Phillips, John Cliburn, Fannie Tanner, Nannie Dobkins | Spl. Comr. Bartlett assigned to take testimony. Parties preferred Spl. Comr. Harris who was ordered not to take testimony. |
| McPhaill, Samuel Claim No: 20154 Amount: $3,110.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 31 Jan 1873 |
Administrator of John McPhaill | |
| Meek, John Claim No: 20150 Amount: $2,055.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 18 Feb 1873 |
Major Hunt, Judge Ham, James Bly, Enoch Meek, Jack Dutton, , Moses Meek, Thomas J. Meek, John Harper, William Meek | Witnesses examined by W. Smith on behalf of the Government certify that the claimant was a thief and a robber, and the leader of a band composed of his sons and cousin in law, his brother and his family who wound back and forth through the county and stole horses and cattle and other property in Arkansas, Texas and the Indian Country before and during the war. The claim is doubtless a fraud, supported by perjury of claimant and his sons. The mistria***ul which he claims to have met with by rebels was not inspired by his patriotism but by the lawless outrages committed by him and his gang. We reject the claim. |
| Miles, John Claim No: 1635 Amount: $256.75 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 6 May 1871 |
A. H. Alfrey, William Mason, Denny Weatherby | |
| Mustain, Ann B. Claim No: 11077 Amount: $360.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 19 Dec 1871 |
James Albright, Ephraim H*****, Sam Woods, Thomas P. Stokes, William Luck, Sarah Mustain, Thomas Luck, William Mustain, Samuel Ramsey, James W. Dryden | Son Nathaniel enlisted in Rebel army. Had one son in Union army. Living children, John M. 30; Clarissa J. 29; Nathaniel 27; Pricilla E 25; William J. 23. |
| Nicholds, George W. Claim No: 9789 Amount: $262.80 Allowed: $137.80 Filed: 3 May 1871 |
Thomas Nicholds, Mariah Buxton, William Oaks, Alexander Oaks, Elizabeth Miser, Gorge R. Foster | Opposed secession & gave no aid to the Confederacy. Witnesses testify to his language in favor the Union & to his reputation as a Union man. In 1861 a Home Guard was organized in his vicinity composed of Unionists & Confederates to protect themselves against thieves & marauders. The Captain was a confederate & at the time of the Pea Ridge battle, wanted his company to fight on the Confederate side. Claimant refused. The Company was disbanded. They were not furnished by the Confederate authority with arms -- had their own rifles. From the testimony in this & other cases, we think Mr. Nichol's story of this organization is in the main true. In Dec 1862 to get out of the Confederacy and to escape persecution, he went with his family & other loyal familes with a Federal escort to Missouri where he remained till after the war. |
| Nidiffer, Jacob Claim No: 18754 Amount: $975.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 10 Jan 1873 |
William Keith, James Hyser, Isaac Nidiffer | Claims house was appropriated for a fort. Was paid $160 for a wagon for C. S. Quartermaster Dept. by Capt. J. E. Barkley at Sugar Creek on 14 Sep 1862. |
| Norris, John Claim No: 2417 Amount: $500.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 20 May 1871 |
Nathan Butts (Texas), Gilbert Norris, Pontillius Butts (Missouri), | |
| Pace, William R. Claim No: 9296 Amount: $800.00 Allowed $0.00 Filed: 10 May 1871 |
John S. Pace, Caroline Pace, Henry Baumiester, Sarah A. Pace, William J. Pace, James L. Hendrick, Louis Curlew | |
| Parker, William Claim No: 9275 Amount: $585.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 27 Apr 1871 |
Shadrich Gallion, Amanda E. Parker, Edward T. Graham, Daniel McKisick, John Buxton, William Oaks, John Baker | |
| Pitts, John W. Claim No: 13721 Amount: $3,337.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 22 Jul 1871 |
Jefferson Meeks, John Harper, Col. M. LaRue Harrison, John Meeks, Capt. E. B. Harrison | 1st Lieut. Co. I 19th Regt La. Volunteers. On the list, this man's residence is Arkansas, but because the name exactly conincides with that on the list, it was thought proper to report it. |
| Pollard, Sarah S. Claim No: 9648 Amount: $835.00 Allowed: $385.00 Filed: 26 Jul 1871 |
Joseph Mason, Wm. H. Mason, Pension Certificate 47687, Martha Kirby, Caroline Blakemore, Samuel M. Pollard, Hiram Gholson | Claimant is a widow whose husband was a Union soldier, enlisted in 2nd Arkansas Cavalry in 1863 and killed in battle in 1864. She is drawing a pension. After her husband's death, she moved to Springfield MO where her relatives who were Union people resided. |
| Potts, Polly Claim No: 9241 Amount: $805.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 8 May 1871 |
James Wardlaw, George Roller, Lucy Gallian, Ellen Roller, William Wardlaw, Hugh Clemens, Jasper Roller | |
| Pounds, Lavina Claim No: 9922 Amount: $938.00 Allowed: $673.00 Filed: 19 Oct 1871 |
Sarah E. Sykes, Lavina M. Lee, Anna E. Sikes, Robert Walker, Elijah Buttram, John Patterson, Chas. Rice | Widow now 76 years of age. Swears that her sympathies were Union. Her principal business, besides carrying on the farm, seems to have been to keep her only son out of the Confederate Army. He was sickly, and near the end of the war she moved to Cassville MO with this son & staid there until the end of the war. Witness Elijah Buttram who was a preacher says: "She is a good, honest, kind-hearted inoffensive, irgnorant, old woman x x x I Have seen children who had much better ideas of business & matters generally that she has." She had the reputation of a Union woman and probably gained it by her efforts to keep her son out of the army. |
| Pratt, Lewis Claim No: 9649 Amount: $997.00 Allowed: $468.00 Filed: 20 Oct 1871 |
Archabold Bransett, John Pratt, Thomas R. Marshall, Andrew McClelland, Standwix Magfield | Lived on the Pea Ridge battle ground. Had 65 acres in cultivation. About 15 days before the battle, he piloted Generals Ashboth and Seigel from camp at Sugar Creek to Bentonville. The evening before the battle, Gen'l Ashboth told him he had better move his family and he moved them 3 miles East. Before leaving, he showed Capt. Key, Qtr. Mstr. around his property & told him to take & use it as he saw fit. When he returned 3 days later, his house was occupied by soldiers. The floor, ceilings, windows and doors were gone. Nothing but the frame was left & every living thing on his farm was gone except 4 sheep and 1 cow. He was much threatened & abused by the rebels. In the summer of '63 he had to go to a federal station at Cassville for protection and in "64 he was obliged to go to Missouri & staid there till the close of the war. His son was conscripted into the rebel service, deserted soon, joined the Union Army & served till the close of the war. |