Willis Barton's Claim


Submitted by Robin Sterling


Claim #2168, Allowed

Items Claimed

Amount Claimed

Amount Allowed

Amount Disallowed

50 bushels corn

$100

$50

$50

600 pounds fodder

$6

$6

 

5 bushels of peas

$5

$5

 

5 gallons of syrup

$5

$5

 

25 pounds bacon

$6.25

$5

$1.25

1 wagon

$40

$20

$20

Feeding soldiers on detached service

$100

 

$100

Totals

$262.25

$91

$171.25

Note: Barton’s original claim was paid in 1873. However, he was not satisfied with the payment and made an appeal to the Committee of War Claims in the House of Representatives beginning in 1890. No indication was found showing where Barton ever received any additional amount. The contents of this file was found in the National Archives apart from the usual files of the Southern Claims Commission. His original petition, plus all the usual testimony on loyalty and property was not found.

Committee on War Claims, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., March 2nd, 1890. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the claim of Willis Barton which I am directed by the Committee on War Claims to transmit to the Court of Claims for an investigation and determination of facts under the provisions of an Act entitled "An Act to afford assistance and relief to congress and the Executive Departments in the investigation of claims and demands against the Government," approved march 3rd, 1883. I am, sir, very respectfully, W.M. Togo, Clerk to the Committee. Hon. William A. Richardson, Chief Justice United States Court of Claims.

In the United States Court of Claims, Willis Barton vs. The United States, No. 8200 Cong. Motion. For a call on the Treasury Department. And, now, comes the claimant, by J.C. DePutron, his attorney, and moves this Honorable Court for a Call on the Treasury Department, for any information touching the loyalty or disloyalty of Willis Barton late of the County of Winston State of Alabama and whether he was paid for any stores and supplies taken from him during the late War of the rebellion by the armed forces of the United States. It is particularly desired that the records of the Miscellaneous Division be examined. [signed] J.C. DePutron, Attorney for the Claimant

Treasury Department, Office of the Third Auditor, Washington D.C., December 21st, 1891. Sir: In answer to your endorsement of Nov. 24th, 1891 on request of Court of Claims in case of Willis Barton No. 8200 Congressional, you are informed that the records of this office show a claim No. 28201 in favor of Willis Barton of Winston County, Alabama filed March 8th, 1873, with others, as per claims allowed by the commissioner under Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1871.

The claim of Willis Barton was for stores taken in 1863-4 and ’65 as follows:

50 bushels of corn at $2 per bushel ($100); 600 pounds fodder at $1 per 100 ($6); 5 bushes of peas at $1 per bushel ($5); 5 gallons of syrup at $1 per gallon ($5); 25 pounds bacon at 25 cents per pound ($6.25); 1 wagon ($40); feeding soldiers on detached service ($100); total amount claimed ($262.25).

On which there was allowed: 50 bushels of corn at $1 per bushel ($50); 600 pounds fodder at $1 per 100 ($6); 5 bushels of peas at $1 per bushel ($5); 5 gallons of syrup at $1 per gallon ($5); 25 pounds of bacon at 20 cents per pound ($5); one wagon ($20); total allowed on claim: $91.00 which amount was paid on settlement No. 2361 of 1873.

The records fail to show any other claim or payment in favor of Willis Barton.

As the request contains no information as to kind, quantity or value of stores or supplies, date of place of purchase or taking or name of officer or command, it is impracticable to make any examination of the accounts of disbursing or accounting officers who might have paid for stores and supplies if taken or purchased. Respectfully, W.H. Hart, Auditor. Hon. Secretary of the Treasury.

Loyalty of Claimants. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington D.C., January 7th, 1892. The Chief Justice and Judges of the Court of Claims: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your request of October 1st, 1891, for duly authenticated copies of papers in the Miscellaneous Division of this Office touching the question of the loyalty of Willis Barton, and for information as to property taken, payment for supplies furnished, etc., for use in the case of said Barton against the United States, No. 8200, Congressional.

In answer, you are informed that it does not appear that any papers are on file in the Miscellaneous Division touching the question of the loyalty of the said Barton.

A letter from the Third Auditor, to whom the request for information as to property taken, payment for supplies furnished, etc., was referred, is herewith enclosed. Respectfully yours, [illegible], Acting Secretary.

In the United States Court of Claims, Willis Barton vs. The United States, No. 8200, Cong. Motion. For a call on the Hon. Secretary of War. And, now, comes the claimant, by J.C. DePutron, his Attorney, who moves this honorable Court for a Call on the Hon. Secretary of War for any information from the Confederate Archives touching the loyalty or disloyalty of Willis Barton late of Winston County, Alabama, who claims, (or whose heirs, or representatives, claim) compensation for supplies taken from him (in that county) during the late War of the Rebellion by the Army of the United States amounting to the sum of $262.

If signature of claimant does not appear so state and the reason why. [signed] J.C. DePutron, Attorney for the Claimant.

No. 8200, Cong. U.S. Court of Claims. Willis Barton vs. The United States. Motion for call on the House of Representatives. J.C. DePutron, Attorney, 472 Louisiana Avenue, Washington, D.C. Filed 30 Sep 1891, Court of Claims.

This Court cannot issue a peremptory call, but the Clerk may transmit a copy of this motion to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and if he will furnish the papers the Clerk of this Court will receive and receipt for them, and file them with the papers in the case. Congressional Case, No. 8200. Clerk’s Office, H.R., December 23rd, 1891. Respectfully returned to the Court of Claims with the information that this case was partly allowed by the Southern Claims Commission and the papers are on file in the Third Auditor’s Office, U.S. Treasury Department, James Ke[rest missing], Clerk.

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled:

The petition of Willis Barton has formerly filed a claim No. 2168 for property taken by the United States forces which claim has been disallowed by the Commissioners of the Southern Claims.

That he was a loyal citizen during the late war of the rebellion, that he had five sons in the Army of the United States during said war, and at the time said property was taken by the United States forces.

He now respectfully asks that the said claim be reopened and referred to the Court of Claims for adjudication and as in honor bound, he will ever pray, etc.

Willis Barton by J.C. DePutron, Attorney.

Power of Attorney. Know all men by these presents, that I, Willis Barton, of Lynn in the County of Winston and State of Alabama have made, constitute, and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint J.C. DePutron of Washington, D.C. my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead, hereby annulling and revoking all former Powers of Attorney whatever in the premises, to prosecute before any department, or the courts, or Committees of Congress of the United States until final completion, for me, my Claim for property taken by the United States army, during the late war of the rebellion. Claim No. 2168, amounting to two hundred and sixty-two dollars ($262) more or less, and to, from time to time, furnish any further evidence necessary or that may be demanded, giving and granting to my said attorney full power and authority to receive any draft or warrant that may be issued in settlement of said claim, and to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or his substitute, may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

My Post Office address is Lynn, Alabama.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of August eighteen hundred and ninety. [signed] Willis Barton

Witnesses: [signed] F.C. Harris and I.P. Gibson

State of Alabama, County of Winston: Be it known, that on this 21st day of August in the year eighteen hundred and ninety before me, the undersigned, a clerk, circuit court, in and for the said County and State, personally appeared Willis Barton to me well known to be the identical person who executed the foregoing Letter of Attorney, and the same having been first fully read over to him and the contents thereof duly explained, acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and that I have no interested, present or prospective, in the claim.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, the day and year last above written. [signed] John S. Curtis, Clerk, Circuit Court.

Notes: Willis Barton married Margaret Nancy Martin about 1824 (Ancestry).

The 1860 Winston County Federal Census for Eldridge recorded Willis Barton was born in South Carolina about 1804; Margaret was born in Georgia about 1806.

The 1867 Winston County Voter Registration List recorded Willis Barton was born 22 Sep 1803 in Pendleton District, South Carolina.

The 1870 Winston County Federal Census for Houston (Township 11, Range 9 West) recorded Willis Barton was born in South Carolina about 1804; Margaret was born in Georgia about 1806.

The 1880 Winston County Federal Census (Township 11, Range 10 West) recorded Willis Barton was born in South Carolina about 1804; Margaret was born in Georgia about 1806.

Monuments in the Sardis Baptist Church #1 Cemetery recorded Willis Barton was born in South Carolina 22 Sep 1803 and died 4 Sep 1891. Margret M. Barton was born in South Carolina 11 Mar 1806 and died 6 Sep 1891.


Home