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Title: Application of Elizabeth Turner
Description: This is Elizabeth Turner’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of her slave, Nelson. The application, dated November 17, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States and a statement that Turner, of Howard County, Missouri, lawfully obtained her slave. The application is signed by two witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 17, 1866

Title: Applications of John Herndon
Description: These are John Herndon’s applications for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slaves, Harrison Small and Reubin Herndon. The applications, dated November 19, 1866, include oaths of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, statements that John Herndon (of Howard County, Missouri) lawfully acquired his slaves, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the tenth page indicates that the application was rejected. Also included is Harrison Small’s enlistment form, signed and dated November 29, 1863.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 29, 1863 and November 19, 1866

Title: Application of Thomas P. Burris
Description: This is Thomas P. Burris’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Phillip. The application, dated November 10, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and the signature of a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the fourth page indicates that the application was rejected. Attached are two bills from 1855 declaring the sale of slaves to Burris, of Howard County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: February 7, 1855-November 10, 1866

Title: Application of James R. Eshill
Description: This is James R. Eshill’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Allen. The application, dated November 9, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Eshill, of Howard County, Missouri, lawfully purchased his slave. The application is signed by four witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 9, 1866

Title: Application of Ira C. Darby
Description: This is Ira C. Darby’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Henry Franklin. The application, dated November 17, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Darby lawfully obtained his slave. The application is signed by two witnesses in Howard County, Missouri and by a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the last page indicates that the application was rejected.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 17, 1866

Title: Application of William Chancellor
Description: This is William Chancellor’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Henry. The documents, dated November 9 and 10, 1866, include an oath of allegiance to the United States, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and a statement that Chancellor lawfully obtained his slave. The application is signed by two witnesses in Howard County, Missouri and by a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: November 9, 1866-November 10, 1866

Title: Application of Horace Kingsbury
Description: This is Horace Kingsbury’s application for compensation from the United States government for the military service of his slave, Albert Cavanaugh. The application, dated November 8, 1866, includes an oath of allegiance to the United States, a statement that Kingsbury lawfully purchased his slave, a power of attorney transfer to Isaac C. Dodge, and the signatures of two witnesses and a notary public in Cooper County, Missouri. A note in pencil on the seventh page indicates that the application was rejected. Also included is Albert Cavanaugh’s enlistment form, signed and dated January 11, 1864.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 11, 1864 and November 8, 1866

Title: Deed of Emancipation of William Swinney's Slaves
Description: This legal document, dated August 18, 1863, sets terms for emancipating the slaves belonging to the late William D. Swinney of Howard County, Missouri. It was prepared and signed by James O. Swinney and William Morrison, executors of his last will and testament. An attached document, signed by L.H. Swinney, James O. Swinney, and William Morrison, states that the three signers agree to pay the cost to convey all of William Swinney's former slaves out of Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: August 18, 1863

Title: Contract for Hire of Slaves
Description: This contract states that William D. Swinney and James O. Swinney will pay Mrs. Mary Enyart $175 to hire two of her slaves, Margaret and David, for one year. The Swinneys promise to pay for the slaves' clothing and medical bills, noting that "Lost time from military violence or running away [will] be deducted from the hire." The contract was signed January 1, 1863 in Howard County, Missouri.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: January 1, 1863

Title: Deed of Emancipation of James O. Swinney's Slaves
Description: In this document, James O. Swinney announces that he will emancipate his slaves on January 1, 1864, "in view of the present condition of the institution of slavery." He adds that if he dies before that date, his brother-in-law, William Morrison, will be appointed as his trustee. This document was signed by Swinney and two witnesses, W.H. Savage and James C. Savage, in Howard County, Missouri, on September 4, 1863.
Object Type: Legal Document
Date: September 4, 1863

Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865