Description
Peter Still (Steel) enlisted at Leavenworth, Kansas, on July 26, 1864, and mustered into the Independent Battery, USCT Light Artillery as a Private. On December 4, 1866, Oliver Steele of Platte County, Missouri signed claim for compensation #104 for an enlisted slave Peter Still and swore an oath of allegiance before Platte County notary public James J. Hitt in Weston, Missouri.
Steele claimed he had acquired title to Peter by "...purchase from Oliver Norman on the 2nd day of August 1849, per Bill of Sale attached."
"Bill of Sale - 19 years old, Bargained, sold and delivered to Oliver Steele a Negro boy Peter, a slave for life, the right and truth of which I warrant to the Oliver Steele, the boy is sound and for the amount of $750 the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. Oliver Norman August 2, 1849."
John M. Railey and George W. Alexander of Platte County testified under oath that Steele had owned Peter for "10 years." William H. Ballard and W. G. (Wilson G.) Noble of Platte County swore that Steele was loyal to the U.S. Government and had defended it against the Confederate States of America. Platte County notary public James J. Hitt in Weston, Missouri, certified that Steele, Railey, Alexander, Ballard, and Noble had personally appeared before him and swore an oath to the truth of the claim. Steele gave power of attorney to the law firm of Chipman, Hosmer & Co., Washington, DC, to prosecute his claim. Platte County Circuit Court Clerk George W. Belt certified that James J. Hitt was a notary public on December 1, 1866.Date(s) of Creation
12/4/1866
