Compensation Claims
What was a Slave Compensation Claim?
During the Civil War, two acts of Congress—one passed in 1864 (13 Stat. 11) and one in 1866 (14 Stat. 321)—allowed loyal slave owners whose slaves enlisted or were drafted into the U.S. military to file a claim against the Federal government for loss of the slave’s services. The law allowed for up to $300 compensation for slaves who enlisted, and up $100 for slaves who were drafted. Although a third act of Congress passed in 1867 (15 Stat. 29) suspended the claims process, paperwork created by this claims process has survived.
Filing a Claim
The slave owner filing a slave compensation claim had to prove his or her
Booker, Louisa | Audrain Co., Mo | M1822 | 66 | 310 | James | Booker | 24 | Audrain Co., Mo |
Clark, John P. | Audrain Co. Mo | M1822 | 67 | 836 | George | Clark | 24 | Monroe Co., Mo |
Logan, James | Audrain Co. Mo | M1822 | 75 | 107 | Vincent | Logan | 35 | Calloway Co., Mo |
Nesbit, Thomas B. | Audrain Co., Mo | M1822 | 67 | 416 | Solomon | Campbell | 32 | St. Charles, Mo |
Nesbit, Thomas B. | Callaway Co., Mo | M1822 | 67 | 416 | Solomon | Campbell | 32 | St. Charles, Mo |
Ross, James E. | Audrain Co. Mo | M1822 | 75 | 7 | Jarrit L. | Lock | 18 | Calloway Co., Mo |