Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Existence and Location of Copies

The collection has been digitized and is available online.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Elizabeth Hughes Claim for Damages, Ms2009-048, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Elizabeth Hughes Claim for Damages was acquired by Special Collections prior to 2009.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Elizabeth Hughes Claim for Damages commenced and was completed in March 2009.

Biographical Note

Information in the claim states that Elizabeth Hughes' husband was a Union soldier who was killed in action before October 1862 during the American Civil War. No other information on Hughes or her family is available.

Scope and Content

Following the American Civil War, in February of 1868, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee passed "An Act to secure the loyal citizens of Tennessee recompense from the United States government for losses incurred by the Rebellion." A claim had a list of requirements, including the need for a signed statement the claimant was loyal to the Union and had never assisted the Confederate army, signatures of two witnesses swearing to the person's loyalty, witness statements to the acts of damage or theft, and the signature of a military of government official to vouch for the claimant and witnesses.

On May 20, 1868, Elizabeth Hughes filed a claim (numbered "No 6") for the loss of property stolen, including a horse and wagon, bushels of wheat, and sides of leather. The claim also contains notice of a fire, set by Confederate soldiers, in which Hughes lost "all of [her] house hold. Kitchen Furniture[,] some valuable Papers, and many other articles too tedious to mention." The total claim amounts to more than $1400. The identity of the unit(s) involved is not known. Signatures include those of witnesses, county and state officials, and the governor. Hughes' signatures come in the form of her mark, attested to in each case.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Related Material

For a similar claim, see the William Belew Claim for Quartermaster Stores, Ms2009-047 , also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Elizabeth Hughes Claim for Damages by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).