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