Phoebe Feltman Bryant was the second wife of Moses Bryant (1796-1870). Apparently during the Civil War, US Troops took some of their property and a Claims Commission was established in 1871 to repay "loyal" citizens for the property taken. I just received today from NARA a copy of Phoebe's claim. I had originally requested a copy of this claim in hopes that a marriage date for Phoebe and Moses would be mentioned, but alas...that would make life too easy! So I decided I should at least post it so others might be able to find information contained in it. Surnames mentioned in this claim are AVERY, BENNETT, BRYANT, ELLIS, HAYS, MCCOLLUM, UNDERWOOD, UPTON. I am also sending a copy of this to the GINN list because Moses Bryant's first wife was Nancy GINN, daughter of Jesse and Sarah GINN. PLEASE NOTE: I don't know what the Dr. after Phoebe's name stands for. It was something pre-printed on the form, whereas her name was handwritten in. #8986 Act of 3d March 1871 Petition of Pheobe BRYANT Of Clear Creek Falls, Ala For Horse, Mule and corn Taken near Clear Creek Falls By U.s. Army $250 Filed by C. W. BENNETT Of Counsel Lboe (?) 87 Washington D. C. The United States, To Pheobe Bryant Dr. 1865 $ Cts _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 1 Mule worth $100 100 00 2 1 Mare worth $125 125 3 25 Bushels of Corn at 1 Dollar per ea 25 00 Balance 250 00 To the Commissioners of Claims, (under Act of 3d March, 1871,) Washington, D.C. The petition of Pheobe 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 Moses Bryant was the original owner of said claim; that he 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 State or any of their officers or agents, nor have the United States any legal offset against the same or any part thereof; that she 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 perso! ns; 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 stated; all of which your petitioner states of his own knowledge. Your 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 25th day of March 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 Gen. UPTON Department of the United States Army, in the service of the United States, whose rank was ______________ of the ____________ Regiment of ____________________acting as _________________ 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 Company "____ " of the "_____" Regiment of the above Troops; that at the taking of said property, or stores, no vouchers, receipt or other writing was given therefor 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 officer, 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 her 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 proper in the premises. Your petitioner therefore prays that her said claim may be examined and considered under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 3d March, 1871, dates this _________ day of ____________187_. 50 Cent Int. (Signed) Pheobe X (her mark) Bryant Rev. Stamp. Witnesses T. BRYANT W. BRYANT State of Alabama County of Winston to wit: Pheobe Bryant being duly sworn, deposes and says, that she is the petitioner named in the foregoing petition, and who signed the same; that the matters therein stated are true of deponent's own knowledge, except as to those matters which are stated on information and believe, 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 office, department, or adherent of the same, in support thereof, and that he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any office whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to the said Confederate government. (Signed) Pheobe X (her mark) Bryant Sworn to, and subscribed before me this 22 day of August 1871. (Signed) Hirum UNDERWOOD J.P. State of Alabama, County of Winston, to wit: I, A B HAYS Judge & Exoficio, Clerk of the Probate County in and for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that Hiram Underwood, whose name appears to the foregoing jurat, was at the time state in said jurat, a Justice of the Peace, duly authorize to administer oaths, and that the above is his genuine signature. I am not interested in this claim or it s prosecution. (Signed) A. B. Hays Judge & Exoficio 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, ALA My Counsel is C W Bennett, Esq., whose Post Office addre4ss is Washington DC. (Signed) Pheobe (her mark) Bryant *The petition must state whether the claim has been heretofore presented to any officer, agent or Department of the Government, or to Congress, or to any committee thereof, and whether any decision or action has been had in regard to the same; and if any, what. Hope this is of value to someone. Jackie Ginn