Description
Adam Spencer enlisted at Fort Blunt, Cherokee Nation, on July 20, 1863, and was mustered as a Private into the 79th USCT Infantry, Company F. On November 16, 1866, Peder Nelson of Washington Township, Buchanan County, Missouri, signed claim for compensation #465 for enlisted slave Adam Spencer f/k/a "Andrew" and swore an oath of allegiance before Buchanan County notary public Robert Boyle in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Peder Nelson claimed he had acquired title to "Andrew" (Adam Spencer) by “…purchase from Columbus Spencer as per Bill of Sale dated 17 April 1850 herewith filed.” Bill of Sale: "Know all men by these presents that I have this day sold a Negro boy named Andrew, 12 years old, to Peder Nelson for the sum of $900; said boy is sound in body and mind, title warranted good. Columbus Spencer, St. Joseph, April 17, 1850."
Charles W. Campbell and Charles B. France of Buchanan County swore under oath that Peder Nelson had owned Andrew alias Adam Spencer for “several years" and also swore oath that Peder Nelson was loyal to the U.S. Government and had defended it against the Confederate States of America. Buchanan County notary public Robert Boyle certified that Nelson, Campbell, and France had personally appeared before him and swore an oath to the truth of the claim. Nelson gave power of attorney to the law firm of James F. Gyles, St. Joseph, Missouri, to prosecute his claim for compensation. (Columbus Spencer and numerous Platte County Spencers were enslavers.)Date(s) of Creation
11/16/1866
