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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reddick, Jane Claim No: 9650 Amount: $104.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 22 Apr 1871 |
William Reddick, Elizabeth Reddick, Ellen Glascox, Betsy Pratt, Archabold Blanset, Thomas H. Marshall, George W. Glascox | |
| Reed, Minter Claim No: 9651 Amount: $643.00 Allowed: $517.00 Filed: 6 May 1871 |
Alfred Brown, Joseph P. A. Reed, Eliza J. Brown, Elvira Brown, Edmond L. Hart, Amos A. Brown, J. W. Brown | Claimant seems to have been half crazy. He swears to his loyalty and his neighbors who are witnesses testify to his loyal conversation and reputation. He had no relatives in the Rebel Army and was in no manner complicated with the Rebellion. |
| Reynolds, John S. Claim No: 18132 Amount: $1,317.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 26 Oct 1872 |
George Br**, Maria Shelten, John Basinger, H. Smiley, C. Crowder | Nothing in claimants career that has the semblance of loyalty till 1864 when he joined a military colony under the auspices of the Union Troops for neutral protection against guerillas and raiders. In the early part of the war claimant avoided Union troops his son in law volunteered in Rebel Army and two adopted sons of his wife volunteered at his home without remonstrance from him and took horses from his wife's farm then under his control and rode them in the service. -- we are not satisfied with the sufficency of the evidence in support of loyalty and we therefore reject the claim. |
| Riddell, James Claim No: 5793 Amount: $948.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 17 Jul 1871 |
Thomas R. Tramell, John Hays, Matilda Kerr, Henry Lefors, Joseph Thomas | Dec'd. Claim filed by A. H. Kerr, Admr. |
| Ritter, Aaron Claim No: 9654 Amount: $385.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 11 May 1871 |
Hetty Capps, Bartheny Ritter, B. P. Posy, Mary Snider, J. R. Dunagan, Sarah Stelie, James Leach, Thomas Luck, Harmons Threat, William Luck. | |
| Ritter, Joel Claim No: 18508 Amount: $1,309.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 2 Jan 1873 |
Charles Rice, S. H. Mayfield, R. E. Ritter, Orlena Ritter | Was disloyal. 3 sons in rebel Army. Furnished provisions to Confederate Army. |
| Roller, George W. Claim No: 1152 Amount: $290.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 1 May 1871 |
Polly Potts, Archibald Roller, Joel Buttram | Claim first presented at Memphis, Tennessee and rejected. |
| Rotramell, Mary Claim No: 9270 Amount: $1,200.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 13 May 1871 |
Richard H. Rotramell, Daniel Nickisick, Shadrick Gallian, David Edwards | |
| Sager, Christian C. Claim No: 9267 Amount: $2,229.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 13 Jun 1871 |
Margarett Green, Henry Barmiester, Fred W. Sager, Allen M. Sager, William R. Pace, Mrs. Macy Sager, Charles Rice, Samuel Ramsey, Lewis Pratt | |
| Saurey, Washington R. Claim No: 9657 Amount: $1,752.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 6 May 1871 |
Elizabeth C. Saurey, Joseph H. Saurey, Isap B. Saurey, John W. Stroud, Ben E. Gambell, E. L. Hart, J. N. Oakley | |
| Scott, Robert J. Claim No: 10067 Amount: $1,220.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 19 Aug 1871< |
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| Scott, William P. Claim No: 1480 Amount: $4,685.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 13 May 1871 |
Sidney Pigmore, Nancy Pigmore, John Cox (Washington Co. Ark.) | |
| Seary, Calvin Claim No: 18752 Amount: $692.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 9 Jan 1873 |
William Kieth, Hugh Doakins, Hugh Truemin, Joel Sellers, Hannah Lee, Mary Jane Lee, Agnus L. Lee | |
| Setser, John Claim No: 18479 Amount: $335.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 4 Jul 1871 |
Jacob L. Setser, Sarah C. Setser, Rice E. Setser, Ephraim Thomison, Isaac January, Thomas January, Co. Henry Hastings | |
| Smith, Edward W. Claim No: 9279 Amount: $1,072.00 Allowed: $348.00 Filed: 23 May 1871 |
John N. Curtis, Jas. D. Harston, Thos. P. Henry John Galbreath, J. W. Stroud | Blacksmith in Bentonville. In the fall of '61, a Rebel command under Col. Rector took over his shop, tools & "fine stock of materials." The Rebels remained in possession for 5 months, until 18 Mar 1862 when they were driven out by the Federal Army. Claimant was much threatened, abused, and molested by the rebels and in 1863 went with his family to Cassville MO & staid till the end of the war. |
| Spring, Lucinda Claim No: 22043 Amount: $3,082.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 25 Feb 1873 |
Charles Rice, Charles Wall, Robert Harston, James Woolsy, J. N. Curtin, George Jefferson, Wm. H. Jefferson | Widow of William Spring. |
| Thomas, Nicholas Claim No: 1636 Amount: $165.00 Allowed: $165.00 Filed: 8 Aug 1871 |
Geo. W. Nicholas, William Oaks | Claimant swears to loyal sympathies and that he voted against secession. A Rebel home guard was formed in his neighborhood in the fall of 1861. He could not run away and he could not remain with safety without joining. He joined but intended to leave the State at the first opportunity. In the winter of 1862/3, he moved to Missouri,, joined the Union Militia, and served for two years. Two witnesses testify to his loyalty. |
| Threet, Harmons Claim No: 9800 Amount: $758.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 4 May 1871 |
Mary A. Threet, Ruthey A. Musteen, Mary J. Threet, James Threet, Winney Threet, Samuel Ramsey, Fredrick Sims, James Leach, William Webb, Aaron Ritter | Loyalty not proved. |
| Trammell, Thomas R. Claim No: 5795 Amount: $1,441.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 17 Jul 1871 |
Alex H. Kerr, John Hays, Polina Gadberry, Perminta Morgan, Catharine Tramell, L. K. Tramell, W. C. Lefors, Joseph Thomas, Henry Lefors, H. J. Dickson, John Hays | A man by this name was 2d Lt. Comdg Co. E, 11th Ga Vols Oct 3d 1862 & was at Winchester Va. Signs request for promotion of his Col. G. T. Anderson. **** D 1416 Applns for **** Major & Brig. Genls 1-2000 1862. (Though States do not correspond - it is possible that he may have been in a Regt from a State other than his own as was frequently the case in our Army & the name being peculiar it has been thought best to report it.) |
| Trolinger, James N. Claim No: 5796 Amount: $1,910.00 Allowed $320.00 Filed: 10 Jul 1871 |
Ransom Sanders, Jasper Dunegan, William Morgan, J. N. Curtis, William Morgan, Ransom Sanders, all of Benton Co.; William P. Trollinger, Thomas M. Trollinger, Geo. W. Trollinger, E. H. Trollinger, of Laurence Co. MO | Claimant and two witnesses tesify that he was against secession and talked in favor of the Union, and was so threatened and molested by the Rebels that he was constrained to leave Arkansas and move his family into Missouri. While there, he and his two sons enlisted in the Union Army. We find the claimant loyal. |
| True, Wallis Claim No: 9661 Amount: $570.00 Allowed: $120.00 Filed: 17 Jun 1871 |
John True, Sarah True, William True, Saml. B. Derryberry, Isaac Coonfield, John D. Crank, B. W. Coonfield, William Derryberry | Was opposed to secession and voted for Union candidate. In the fall of 1862 he went into the Camp of the Union Troops to keep out of the way of Rebel soldiers who were threatening him, and under protection of Union Army moved to Kansas where he remained till the close of the War. He went out with the Kansas Militia in 1864 and was captured by the enemy in the Westport Battle. Several witnesses testify to his loyalty. |
| Truesdell, John P. Claim No: 9242 Amount: $710.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 10 May 1871 |
William Cantrell, Delila Hutchison, Elizabeth Truesdell, James Truesdell, Joseph R. Rutherford, James W. Clark | The claimant is 76 years old. He claims to have been in sympathy with the Union cause from the beginning to the end of the war; and to have assisted the regular officers of the U.S. Army in procuring supplies & forage. That he gave a home at one time to Gen Blunt's command & forage at other times. Had protection papers from federal officers; belonged to the union Home Guard, and took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. when he joined it; that shortly before the battle of Pea Ridge he was taken a prisoner at his house & brought to Bentonville for trial by the confederate authorities, for being a union man. On the approach of the union army he was turned loose & went into the union camp. Alphonzo Curlew, a neighbor, testifies that he lived near & saw him often and that his public reputation was as a loyal union man. Loyalty proven. Only testimony to the taking of property comes from claimant, his wife and his son-in-law. The [value of] items are greatly exaggerated. |
| Walker, Thomas H. Claim No: 9662 Amount: $472.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 26 Apr 1871 |
William E. Walker, Susan Walker, Sarah Walker, William H. Woods, Robert S. Woods, William W. Black, M. F. Buttram | Received interest on Confederate coupon bonds. |
| Wammack, William Claim No: 9788 Amount: $715.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 30 Jun 1871 |
Isaac Harrel, M. A. Harrell, Leman H. Harrell, Matilda L. Wammack, Sarah P. Wammack, Agnes J. Fare | The claimant joined the rebel Army upon being notified that he was drafted. He went because he thought he wd be forced to go, & by joining voluntarily he could choose his regiment -- served 2 months -- taken with measles, got well, deserted, went home & then to Kansas. After he went to Kansas he acted with the Union men & went out in the Union Militia. We can not say he was loyal throughout the war. Claim rejected. |
| Ward, Hiram Claim No: 15075 Amount: $427.50 Allowed: $65.00 Filed: 9 Jul 1872 |
Isaac Coonfield, William Stewart, William Hoeback, Wallace True, Capt. Richard Himpey, Joseph Powell, Mrs. mary hoback, William Turner | In Aug 1862 he was conscripted by the Rebel Army and ordered to appear at camp. He started to escape, but was caught and imprisoned. He was released on promise to appear at camp, was mustered in and served about 2 months. On first chance, he deserted and went to Kansas. He got his family moved there & is now in Osage Co. KS. In Aug 1863 he enlisted in the U. S. Kansas Cavalry, was appointed 1st Lieut., served 14 months & honorably discharged. Loyalty fully proved. |
| Ward, Louisa Claim No: 21544 Amount: $2,125.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 24 Feb 1873 |
Joseph L. Ward, Mary Yeargain, Lou Hasting | |
| Watson, Isam Claim No: 9237 Amount: $1,483.25 Allowed: $655.00 Filed: 15 Apr 1871 |
William Phillips, James Reeves, Jack Maxwell, Junius Farrer, Martha Maxwell, J. N. Curtis, John Crank, J. W. Stroud | Claimant swears to his opposition to secession, to voting for Union delegates to Convention, to abuse, mistreatment and arrest by Rebels, and that they threatened him and burned his dwelling in his absence throwing his family out of doors. He went to Missouri frequently, some times on business and some times to keep out of the way of the Rebels. He sought safety also at the Union Military Post at Fayetteville. He had no relatives in the Rebel Army and his son in law was in the Union Army. Neighbors testify to his loyalty. |
| Weaver, Ephraim Claim No: 5798 Amount: $325.28 Allowed: $267.50 Filed: 2 May 1871 |
James N. Dryden, John R. Woods, John Weaver, Thomas Walker, Jane Weaver, Catharine Weaver, James Wight, Simson Garrett, Dyzart Woods | Claimant is a native of Tennessee, was about 40 years old, a small farmer and blacksmith in Benton Co. when the war began. Two circumstances that militate against his loyalty are that he voted for Breckenridge at the Presidential election of 1860 (contrary to the practice of Southern Unionists generally) and that his son went into the Confederate army in 1864, when he could just as easily gone to the Federal lines. But with regard to this last event, it seems established that the claimant did make a sincere effort to induce his son to go to his realtives in Missouri, offering him a horse, saddle and bridle for doing so, but that the young man who was close upon his majority, was otherwise persuaded and the claimant, who was greatly displeased at his decision, gave him nothing upon leaving home but a counterfeit Confederate bill of small denomination intending even this to be merely symbolical of his getting no aid from his father, while a Confederate soldier. Claimant also explains satisfactorily his vote given for Breckenridge. Claimant voted for Union delegates to the State convention on Secession, gave considerable aid to Union men leaving with their families for the North; was kindly treated by the Federal army and unkindly by the military authorities of the Confederacy; was in the local company organized for home defense by the Federal commander at Bentonville during the last year of the war, and was admitted to the list of voters during the iron-clad regime immediately succeeding the war. Both he and his witnesses testify in a very satisfactory way and we find him to have been loyal to the United States during the war. |
| Webb, Thomas Claim No: 12721 Amount: $1,156.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 12 Jun 1872 |
Archibald Blausct, Thomas Hayes, Asbury Dawson, Wm. Webb, George Dawson, James Dawson, Sterling Carter, Sulina Price, John Steakley, T. R. Marshall | |
| Webb, William Claim No: 9663 Amount: $1,040.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 4 May 1871 |
Andrew Deans, Christife Deans, John Deans, John Bassinger, James H. Wight, Simeon Garrett, William Luck, Thomas Luck, Dysart Woods, Samuel Woods | |
| White, James Claim No: 9272 Amount: $392.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 30 Aug 1871 |
Surinda White, Joseph D. White, Henry Hartley, Samuel Ramsey, William Robertson | Rebel Bondholder, Bill & receipt for medical services with Hunters Regt MO Vol C.S. Army. Paid $156.66 at Little Rock Ark 8 Feb 1863 by Maj. Ths. Monroe, A.G.M.C.S.A. |
| Wight, James H. Claim No: 1079 Amount: $938.25 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 30 Apr 1871 |
Ephraim Weaver, Edward T. Graham, Simon Wight, Malissa T. Wight, Dysart Wood, Samuel P. Wood, William Woods, James N. Dryden | |
| Wolf, Levicy Claim No: 17640 Amount: $1,140.00 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 30 Oct 1872 |
Samuel Ramsey, William A. Wolf, John A. Otsy, Almira S. Wolf, Mary Ann Wolf | |
| Woods, Robert S. Claim No: 688 Amount: $155.50 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 18 May 1871 |
No local witnesses | Rebel Bond holder |
| Wright, Simeon Claim No: 10522 Amount: $900.75 Allowed: $323.00 Filed: 2 May 1871 |
James H. Wight, S. T. Graham, Nancy E. Wight, James M. Chambers, | Lived on his farm of 265 acres 4 miles East of Bentonville till March 1863 when he joined a Union Militia Company or Colony & moved with his family to that. He once went with a detail of his company to guard an ammunition train of U.S. to Cassville MO. He was somewhat threatened for being a Union man, & lost two horses by Confederates by desiring them. Three of his witnesses are his near neighbors whose farms adjoined his & saw him often & knew him intimately. One of the witnesses was a Union soldier & one was with the claimant in the Union Colony or Militia Camp under Lieut. Monroe of the first Ark. fed. Cavalry. They all testify decidedly to his loyal character & conversations. |
| Young, Oliver M. Claim No: 11240 Amount: $2,349.25 Allowed: $0.00 Filed: 1 Oct 1872 |
James W. Clark, James H. Woolsey, Elizabeth F. Young, Martha E. Jefferson | Age 48. |