Phoebe Feltman Bryant's Claim

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

The petition of Phoebe, wife of Moses Bryant, respectfully represents: That your petitioner is a resident of the county of Winston in the State of Alabama; that her post office address is Clear Creek Falls in said county and State; and that at the time her claim and each item thereof as above set forth accrued she was a resident of the County of Winston and State of Alabama; that she is, Moses Bryant was, the original owner of said claim; that she has never sold, assigned or transferred the same or any part thereof to any person, that no mortgage, bill of sale or other lien of like nature has at any time rested upon it, or any part thereof, nor has it been attached or taken in execution; that the same has not been paid by the United States or any of their officers or agents, nor have the United States any legal offset against the same or any part thereof; that he is the sole owner of the said claim, no other person being interested therein; that said claim does not contain any charge for property which was destroyed or stolen by the troops or other persons; that the rates or prices charged are reasonable and just, and do not exceed the market rate or price of like stores or property at the time and place states; all of which your petitioner states of his own knowledge.

You petitioner further states that he, Moses Bryant, was at the time the several items of his said claim accrued, as stated therein, a citizen of the United States; that he remained a loyal adherent to the cause and government of the United States, during the war of 1861, &c.; and was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is made.

And your petitioner further represents, and of her own knowledge states, that on the 25^th day of March 1865, A.D. 1865, at the residence of Moses Bryant, in the State of Alabama, the following property or stores were taken from your petitioner for the use of the army of the United States, and for which payment is claimed, viz: one mule, one mare, 25 bushels of corn, which said property or stores being of the kind, quantity, quality and value above stated was taken by the U.S. troops belonging to the command of General Upton, Department of the United States Army, in the service of the United States, who, as your petitioner has been informed and believes was on a raid through Alabama under the command of General Wilson who at that time had command of the United States forces in the District in which said property was taken.

And your petitioner further represents that he has been informed and believes that the said stores or property was taken from your petitioner as above stated and removed to Clear Creek Falls for the use of the above troops; that at the taking of said property, or stores, no vouchers, receipt or other writing was given therefore by the person taking the same as aforesaid or received at any time by your petitioner.

Your petitioner further states that the claim, within and above mentioned has never been presented to any office, Department, or Congress for payment.

Your petitioner hereby constitutes and appoints C.W. Bennett, Attorney-at-Law of Washington her true and lawful attorney with full power of substitution and association, to prosecute this claim, and to receive a draft payable to the order of your petitioner for such amount as may be allowed, and to do all acts necessary and property in the premises.

Your petitioner therefore prays that said claim may be examined and considered under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 3^rd March, 1871. [signed x her mark] Phoebe Bryant. Witnesses: [signed] T. Bryant, W. Bryant.

State of Alabama, County of Winston: To wit: Phoebe Bryant, being duly sworn, and says, that she is the petitioner named in the foregoing petition, and who signed the name; that the matters therein stated are true of deponent’s own knowledge, except as to those matters which are stated on information and belief, and, as to those matters she believes them to be true; and deponent further says, that her husband did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate army or navy, either as an officer, soldier, or sailor, or in any other capacity, at any time during the late rebellion; that he never voluntarily furnished any stores, supplies or other material aid to said Confederate army or navy, or to the Confederate Government, or to any officer, department, or adherent of the same, in support thereof, and that he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any officer whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to the said Confederate government. [signed x her mark] Phoebe Bryant.

Sworn to, and subscribed before me this 22^nd day of August, 1871. [signed] Hiram Underwood, J.P.

State of Alabama, County of Winston: To wit: I, A.B. Hays, Judge and Ex Oficio, Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that Hiram Underwood whose name appears to the foregoing jurat, was at the time stated in said jurat, a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the above is his genuine signature. I am not interested in this claim or its prosecution. [signed] A.B. Hays, Judge and Ex Oficio, Clerk of Probate Court.

I expect to prove my loyalty by the following witnesses and others:

Richard Ellis, residing in Winston County

Thomas Boteler, residing in Winston County

James Ellis, residing in Walker County

And also expect to prove the other facts alleged in the foregoing petition by

H.A. McCollum, residing in Walker County

William B. Bryant, residing in Winston County

W.W. Avery, residing in Winston County

My Post Office address is Clear Creek Falls, Alabama.

My Counsel is C.W. Bennett, Esq., whose Post Office address is Washington, D.C. [signed x her mark] Phoebe Bryant.

Note: No other documentation was found in the file.

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