Description
Lewis Smith enlisted at Jefferson City, Missouri, on September 17, 1964, and was mustered in as a Private in the 18th USCT Infantry, Company J. On November 3, 1866, Henry Elley of Callaway County, Missouri, signed claim for compensation #707 for an enlisted slave Lewis Smith and swore an oath of allegiance before notary public P. J. Milley.
Henry Elley claimed he had acquired title by "...the mother of said Lewis Smith was the slave of the claimant at the time of said Lewis' birth and said Lewis Smith remained the slave of this claimant from the time of his birth until the date of his enlistment in the service of the United States and was known during the time he was such a slave as Lewis Elley but after his enlistment changed his name to Lewis Smith."
Alexander Hord and R. L. Hord of Callaway County testified under oath that Henry Elley had owned Lewis Smith for a period of 18 years. They also testified under oath that Henry Elley was loyal to the government of the United States and had defended it against the Confederate States of America. Callaway County Postmaster Thomas J. Ferguson also testified that Henry Elley was loyal to the United States. Notary Public Robert Hufford certified that Henry Elley, Alexander Hord and R. L. Hord had all appeared before him and under oath swore to the facts and truthfulness of the claim. of the United States. (Numerous Platte County Elleys and Hords were enslavers.)Date(s) of Creation
11/3/1866
