Summary: Harriet Doom filed this claim in 1879 for $150, claiming the Union army took on horse from her deceased husband Jacob Coffman in 1864 after the battle of the Piedmont. Harriet was a 31 year old who had remarried to George Doom, a Unionist, and resided near New Hope. The claim was disallowed due to her deceased husband's disloyalty to the Union.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay Mare 7 years Old | $150.00 | $0.00 | $150.00 |
Claims Summary:
The Mare for which this claim is made belonged to Jacob Cauffman of Augusta Co.Va. The claimant was then his wife. He died in 1869 & she married a man named Doom. Caufman was unquestionably disloyal. When the ordinance of secession was submitted to the people of Va. May 23, 1861 he voted for its ratification. The claim is disallowed.
A O Aldis O. Ferriss
Comm of Claims
Testimony: Harriet Doom
My name is Harriet Doom, my age 31 years, my residence New Hope Augusta Co., in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a ____, I am the claimant, and have beneficial interest in the claim.
I was the widow of Jacob Coffman Sr. He died in March 1869. He was a Union man. I have four3 children by Mr Coffman my first husband. Jacob Jr., 8 years old, John Samuel, Wm H. 6 years old next october, W. Henry 4 years old. My husband left a will but he named no Executor and Mr. Samuel Kennedy qualified in May 1869 as Administrator. I think he was named as executor in the will. He died not file this petition because he said he was a southern man and wouldnt have anythin to do with it. I told him to make the claim and he just laughed at it. I saw the mare charged taken. It was the day after the Piedmont fight in June 1864, about 7 oclock in the morning. She was hitched to a cherry tree not 5 yards from our house and a mar came in from the road and took her out to a colonel who was waiting in the road about 100 yards from my house, when he reached the Col, a saddle and bridle was put on our horse and the Colonel got on himher himself and rode up to my gate and backwards and forwards in front of my house and she frequently neighed to come in. His army was there several hours. It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon before they left. I don't know the name of the Colonel. I don't know whether he belonged to a Cavalry, Infantry, Command, I did not go out of my house. I was of me My husband, myself and a step-grandson saw the horse taken. Noone else saw the horse taken. My Grandson who was present then is now out in Kansas. It was a dark bay with a blaze face about 7 years old, She was a tolerable large brute, she was sound and a good beast too as ever lived. She was worth $150, at that time, I got no receipt we did not ask for any, we were confused and scared, I saw the Col on our mare. I knew he was some officer by his uniform, I know no more about it. Further saith not
Harriet D. Doom her mark
Testimony: Isaac Coffman
Issac Coffman, a witness for claim being duly affirmed and examined by Commr. deposes and says,
I am 44 years old, a resident of Augusta County, Va., a farmer by occupation. The dec'd on behalf of whose estate this claim is made was an uncle of mine, I am no interested in this claim. I lived about a 1/4 of a mile from him during the war, I saw him often about once a week during the war, I talked with him often about the war, its causes and progress, I knew his political sympathies and opinions, His sentiments was Union sentiments, I knew them by his conversation, I know that he was very much opposed to the rebellion all the time it was going on, I don't know that I remmeber what he said. I heard him say in the evening after the vote on the ratification of the Ordinance of secession, doesn't we've got to do the way they want us to do. I judged from that that he was had voted for secession, I think he was scared into it. I never knew him to contribute anything in aid of either gov't during the war. I never knew him to own any Confederate bonds or to do anything to sustain the credit of the Confederacy. I knew his fastibule general reuptation in the community to loyalty it was good as far as I knew. He was generally regarded as a Union man. He was so regarded by his loyal neighbors, I never knew him to be molested or threatened with injury on account of his Union sentiments. I was a Union man during the war and the claimant so regarded me. I no of nothing he said or done during the war that might prev have prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been able to maintain a seperate gov't. and further saith not
Isaac Coffman
Testimony: Henry K. Eakle
Henry K. Eakle a witness for clt. being duly sworn and examined by Commissioner deposes and says, I am 53 years old a resident of Augusta County, a Farmer. I am not related to Mr. Coffman the decd, I have I have no interest in this claim. I had know Mr Coffman all my life. I lived about half a mile from him during the war, I saw him every week or two on average. I think I talked with him about the war, the causes and progress, I knew his political sympathies and opinons, it was as good a Union man any of us, I was a Union man and the claidecd could not well help regarding me as such. I have heard him abuse the Confederacy, but I don't remember the substance of what I heard him on. I never heard him threatened with injury on account of his Union sentiments. I never knew him to contribute any money or property or information in aid of either Cause during the war; I never t have no knowledge of his owning or not owning any Confederate bonds or doing any thing to sustain the credit of the Confederate Govt. I know of no act done or language used, except what I have already said, that would might have prevented the claimanthim from proving his loyalty to the Confederate Govt if it had been able to maintain a seperate existence. Further said not.
Henry K. Eakle
Testimony: J.H. Baker
Bakers Mill, Va
May 2d, 1878
Hon. John J. Harris,
Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find a postal card addressed to me from Mr. Doom the case is this, Mr. Dooms wife filed a claim for a horse taken by the Federal Army during the late war this horse was bought by her first Husband, Jacob Coffman he died She then paid for him herself & then married Mr. Doom. The Com sent a Special agent up their to enquire after this case and reported her first husband disloyal they (the Com) notified me of this fact. I then offered rebuttal testimony & the parties refered to in this card that testified to the loyalty of Mr. Coffman (Decd): Thornton G. Stout of New Hope, 58 years old, Jacob Coffman 48 "Do., J.B. Barger 64 years old, Isaac Coffman 50 years old & James Borden.
If you can do this lady any Good please testify to the credability of these witnesses.
& Oblige yours truly
J. H. Baker
Bakers Mill Va.
Testimony: Harriet Doom
Deposition of Harriet Doom at New Hope Augusta County Va.Feby 27th 1878 by and before Jrd. S. Smith Special Commissioner
Harriet Doom being duly Sworn says. I am here to testify for the Government. I am 42 years old. I am the claimant. Claim No 16243. I was formerly the wife of Jacob Coffman. I was married to Jacob Coffman in Sept. 1863 he was an old man he died in 1869. March 22d. The claim in this case for one horse this horse belonged to my husband Jacob Coffman. This horse was taken from him at our house about one mile from here it was the next day after the Piedmont fight June 7th 1864. The Horse was hitched to a Cherry tree just back of the house. There was Six Federal Soldiers come into the yard one of them was a colonel they went out where the Horse was & commenced unhitching her. I Stood in the door & saw them. they took her down the road a little ways and a Colonel put his Saddle on her and got on & rode up to our hose. I went out & asked him would he give me the beast. He shooke his head and said that this horse had been killed and that he must have one. The Army remained there until about four two & this colonel was riding him up & down the road all day. She was taken at six o.c. in the morning & when they moved on he took her with him and no more Saw her any more. I did not know any thing about Jacob Coffmans political Sentiments until I married him in 1863 after that he used to curse Jeff Davis & the Confederacy, he made a will he gave me & my children all his property the oldest one of my children was only five years old when my husband died. Dr. Kennerly was the executor named in my husbands will. Kennerly was an oful Strong Secessionist, he was the worst kind of a one. my husbands will was drawn in June before he died. my husband had no children living when he died that I know of except mine. My husband had groud children one of his groud sons Sandy Coffman was in the Confederate Army. The Executor of my husbands will refused to make this application for pay. Said he would have nothing to do with it. My present Husbands name is Geo. Doom. he was not in the Confederate Army. he went North & remained there until after the war.
Harriet Doom her mark
Subscribed & Sworn to before me Feby 27th 1878
Jrd. S. Smith
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Nathaniel M. Talley
Deposition of Nathaniel M. Talley taken at New Hope Augusta County Va. Feby 27th 1878 by and before Jrd. S. Smith Special Commissioner
Nathaniel M. Talley being duly Sworn Says. I am here to testify for the Government. I am 63 years old. I reside in New Hope Augusta Co.Va. I have lived here for Forty Nine years. I am well acquainted with Harriet Doom the claimant, Claim No. 16243 when the war commenced her husbands name was Jacob Coffman. he died after the war. I think in 1869. I knowd him well. he lived about one & a half miles from me during the war. I Saw him often before the vote on the question of Secession was taken in this State. He was a Strong Secessionist. he advocated Secession all the time and when the vote was taken on that question he voted to ratify the Ordinance of Secession and voted for Secession candidates to the Convention after the State Seceded. he was a Strong Confederate he did all he could to aid the Confederate Cause. his Sympathies were entirely with the South and the Confederate Cause. his never done any thing to aid the Union Cause. his feelings were not with it. He was never known during the war as a Union man. his associations were entirely with the Confederates and never with Union people. he never done any thing to help the Confederacy except talk he talkd powerful hard for them. I have no knowledge that Jacob Coffman lost a horse during the war.
Nathaniel M. Talley
Subscribed & Sworn to before me Feby 27th 1878
Jrd. S. Smith
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Henry K. Eakle
Deposition of Henry K. Eakle taken at New Hope Augusta CoVaFeby 27th 1878 by & before Jrd. S. Smith Special Commissioner
Henry K. Eakle being duly Sworn Says. I am here to testify for the Government. I am 59 years old. I reside one mile from New Hope Augusta Co. Va. I was intimately acquainted with Jacob Coffman the owner of the property mentioned in Claim No 16243. I lived a about one half mile from him before and during the war. At that time when the vote was taken here as to the Confirmation of the Ordinance of Secession I know that Jacob Coffamn voted for it. a man of the name of Thos. Turk brought him up to the polls at the time and told him to vote for Secession & he done it. I know that before that time Jacob Coffman was very bitter on the abolitionists and Rebupblicans at the North. he was in the habit of using very bitter language about them, a while after the war began he seemed to change and my impression was that he was in favor of the Union. I cannot State a Single act of his that Showed him to be loyal to the Federal Government he was too old to take any active part in the war.
H. K. Eakle
Subscribed & Sworn to before me Feby 27th 1878
Jrd. S. Smith
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Special Agent Jrd. S. Smith
In the matter of the Claim for Harriet Doom No. 16243
Harriet Doom the Claimant testifies that the horse for which claim is made belonged to her husband Jacob Coffman. That the Horse was taken by a Federal Colonel for his own use. Nathaniel Talley testifies, knowd Jacob Coffman. He voted for Secession was a strong confederate & done what he could to aid the confederate cause.
Henry K. Eakle testifies knowd Jacob Coffman. he voted for Secession and was bitter on the abolitionists & Republicans of the North. That a while after the war began he seemed to change, and was now of the impression he was a Union man.
This claim ought not to be paid. The horse did not go to the Use of the Army officers were obliged to furnish their own horses of their own expense, not at the expense of the Government. Jacob Coffman to whome the horse belongd was disloyal. Respectfuly Submitted to the ClaimsComs. Washington D.C.
Jrd. S. Smith
Special Agent
Testimony: James Borden
State of Virginia County of Augusta To Wit
I E. J. Jones a Notary Public for the County aforesaid in said state do certify that the following were taken in New Hope on the 29th day of April 1878.
E. J. Jones N.P.
James Borden being duly Sworn testifies as follows. 1st question: What is your age?
Answer. fifty four years
How long resident of Augusta CoVa.?
Thirty five years.
How long did you know Jacob Coffman in who you a citizen of the County now decd & whose representative is now an applicant to the U.S.Go. for Compensation for a horse appropriated by Federal Forces during the late rebellion.
Answer. I knew him 35 years.
What were his Sentiments before and during the war?
Answer. I always regarded him as being an unqualified Union man and he never hesitated to express such Sentiments.
Further the deponent sayeth not.
James Borden
Testimony: T. G. Stout
T. G. Stout being Sworn testifies as follows
Question. What is your age?
Answers. fifty Eight
Ques. How long have you resided in this County?
Answer. Thirty Two years
Question. How long did you know Jacob Coffman dec'd whose representative is making application a horse horse taken and appropriated by the Federal Forces during the late Rebellion?
Answer. Thirty Two years
Question. Do you know what his political sentiments before, during & after the war was?
Answer. I know that he was a thorough union man, having heard him so express himself often as well as abuse the Confederate Government.
Further the depononent sayeth not.
T. G. Stout
Testimony: Jacob Coffman
Jacob Coffman being Sworn Testifies as follows
Q. What is your age.
Ans. Forty Eight years
How long have you resided in the county of Augusta?
Ans. All my life.
Ques. How long did you know Jacob Coffman who was a citizen of this county; and who representative is an applicant for pay for a horse taken from him by Federal forces during the late rebellion?
Ques. I have known him all my life.
Ques. What were his political opinions before, during, and since the war?
Answer. I believe him to have been a genuine union man having often heard him so express himself.
Further the deponent sayeth not
Jacob Coffman
Testimony: John C. Barger
John C. Barger being duly Sworn testifies as follows
1st Ques. What is your age
Answer. Sixty four years
2d q. How long a resident of Augusta Co.Va.
Answer. All my life time
3rd. How long did you know Jacob Coffman of this Co. & State, now decd, whose Representative is an applicant to the U.S.Govt. for Compensation for a horse appropriated by the Fed. Forces during the late rebellion.
Answer. I knew him personally from 1844 Apl. until his death.
Question. What were his political Sentiments before and during the late war
Answer. I believed him to be a Union Man and he always gave expression, unreservedly, to Union Sentiments.
J C Barger
Further the deponent sayeth not
Testimony: Isaac Coffman
JacobIsaac Coffman being duly Sworn testifies as follows
1st. What is your age
Answer. Fifty years
2nd. How long have you been a resident of Augusta County Virginia
Answer. Fifty years
3rd How long did you know Jacob Coffman, of this C. and State, now decd, whose Representative is an applicant to the Fed.Go. for Compensation for a horse appropriated by the Fed. Forces during the late rebellion?
4. All my life time
5. What were his political Sentiments before and during the war
Answer I do now hestitate to say that he was all the while a thorough Union man, and never hestitated to express Union Sentiments when any and all occasions, and was notoriously opposed to Secession
Isaac Coffman
State of Virginia County of Augusta To Wit
I E.J. Jones a Notary Public for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing depositions were duly taken, Sworn to and Subscribed before me at the time and place mentioned therein.
Given under my hand thsi 29th April 1878
E. J. Jones N.P.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Harriet Doom, 1879, Claim No. 16243, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington D.C., fiche #3977.
