Luke Congleton - A Man of Principle
In 1873, Luke Congleton (about 1804? - 1878?) from Evergreen, Alabama made an unsuccessful claim to the Southern Claims Commission in relation to his activities during the American Civil War.
For some reason, I took a liking to Luke Congleton as soon as I ‘met’ him. Perhaps because he was clearly a man of principle—perhaps, because I felt sorry for him when his claim for compensation was turned down by the Southern Claims Commission—perhaps because I know I am related to him somehow. Probably a combination of all three.
Most of what I do know about Luke Congleton—and that’s not much—comes from his petition to the Southern Claims Commission and a few other papers generously shared with me by Luke’s 2nd great grandson, Shon Congleton. Shon has done a lot of research. Some he did in conjunction with his grandfather who was Luke’s grandson. Shon and I exchanged emails and information during 2022.
Vague Beginnings
Luke was probably born in about 1804 in North Carolina, although records vary:
On a document dated 12 June 1873 in relation to his claim to the Southern Claims Commission, Luke said he was 721. This suggests a birthdate of 1801 if he had already had his birthday that year, or 1800 if he hadn’t.
The 1860 United States Federal Census2 lists Luke as 56 years old suggesting a birthdate of 1803 or 1804. It says he was born in North Carolina.
The 1870 United States Federal Census lists Luke as being 65 years old suggesting a birthdate of 1804 or 18053. It says he was born in Virginia.
Luke’s memorial stone indicates a birthdate of 18044.
The memorial for Luke and his third wife, Mary Ann [Quates] Congleton was placed at Mount Union Cemetery, Alabama by Luke and Mary Ann’s grandson, Ray Vaughn Congleton (1909 - 2003) sometime around the year 2000. Ray used the dates for Luke that he believed to be the most likely5:
At this stage, it isn’t clear who Luke’s parents were. It is likely he was a descendent of the immigrant William Congleton. William was born in the British Isles (maybe Scotland) in about 1690/1700 and died in Beaufort County, North Carolina in 17556.
Taking into account dates and generational gaps, it’s possible Luke could have been one of William’s grandsons—a son of one of William’s sons. Interestingly, in the 1870 US Federal Census, Luke’s parents are listed as foreign born7. Whether any of William’s sons were born in the British Isles rather than North Carolina is uncertain8. On the other hand, Luke’s entry in the 1870 Census may have incorrectly reported foreign born parents. Based on time and place, he could similarly have been William’s great grandson.
The reference to Virginia as Luke’s birthplace in the 1870 Census is probably wrong. It is inconsistent with other records. Luke was probably born in either Pitt County (made up of parts of Beaufort County when it was created in 17609), Beaufort County, or possibly Martin County where he first shows up, as a young adult, in Census records (1830)10 11.
All of this remains uncertain—an investigation for another day! … Let’s not get side-tracked down that rabbit hole right now because what I want to tell you about is Luke’s petition to the Southern Claims Commission and what we can learn from that about Luke and his actions during and immediately after the American Civil War.
The Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commission was established under an Act of Congress dated 3 March 1871 to provide a formal process for Southern residents loyal to the Union to seek compensation for property, supplies, or services taken by the U.S. Army during the Civil War, up to a maximum of $5000.
Claimants had to prove their unwavering loyalty to the United States throughout the war, in addition to proving the U.S. Army took their property for official use.
In July 1872, Luke began the process of applying to the Southern Claims Commission for compensation. The information that follows comes from the files relating to Luke’s petition (Petition 15481)12.
The Civil War Years (1861-1865)
When war broke out—starting with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina on 12 April 1861—Luke was living in Covington County, Alabama.
A Union Man
Most of Luke’s neighbours were in favour of secession from the Union. Luke was not and he didn’t hold back from making this known. Both immediately before and during the Civil War, he often expressed his opinion publicly. A few of his friends agreed with him in private and some of them supported him later in front of the Southern States Commission when he was called on to prove his loyalty:
“We averaged seeing each other as often as once in three months perhaps. - as often as I saw him, we had something to say about the war … He always objected to the secession movements of the south, and was in favor of the government. I recollect that he said these slave holders at the south were so tenacious of slavery that they had put the slaves [?] right when they were sure to be freed - He had to sell his place on account of his talk. I used to advise him to keep quiet but he didn't.”
[Thomas Ansley - Deposition to Southern States Commission - Evergreen, Conecuh County - 12 June 1873]
Luke told the Commission that, as soon as the hostilities began in April 1861, he sent his older sons and daughters through the Confederate lines to Pensacola in Florida to ensure their safety. It appears that his wife, Mary Ann [Quates] Congleton and their youngest daughter at the time, Mary Ann (born 185813) stayed in Alabama with him. A further child, Sarah ‘Sallie’ Ann was born in 186314.
In his deposition to the Southern States Commission, Luke said that he did everything he could to support the Union cause:
“ ... I used my influence on the union side before and during the war – I said everything I could against it, bitterly opposed it. and said it would be the ruination of the United States, least wise of this part of the country, – that it would bring the poor people into bondage and that their wives and children would suffer ...”
[Luke Congleton - Deposition to Southern States Commission - Evergreen, Conecuh County - 12 June 1873]
He said he also gave some practical help:
“ … In Covington county, I advanced some thirty dollars in gold to a federal sailor from the guardship at Choctawhatchie Bay commanded by Capt. Bruney, who was in Alabama as a spy - he was on my place about three or four months and I fed him …”
[Luke Congleton - Deposition to Southern States Commission - Evergreen, Conecuh County - 12 June 1873]
A Move To Florida
During 1863, Colonel Holland of the Mississippi Infantry was sent into the area to find union sympathizers and stop them running across the Confederate lines into the Federal lines. Luke heard from a friend that there were plans afoot to burn down his farm with him in it. For the safety of his remaining family and himself, he decided to follow his older children to Florida.
“ … I was reported by a man John Mitchell, & Col. Holland of the 37th Mississippi Infantry, stationed in Alabama, that I was doing the Confederate more harm than any man in Alabama … Marshall Snowden a neighbor came and told me of this, and that the soldiers were coming to burn my house & and me in it, - I left the next night for Florida - My neighbors often threatened my life - that I was doing so much against the rebel cause, that they would kill me before they would suffer me to live and do such things - Mr Jackson, Mitchell, Old man Jesse Tims were among those making such threats ...”
[Luke Congleton - Deposition to Southern States Commission - Evergreen, Conecuh County - 12 June 1873]
By 1863, Luke was reasonably well off but, because of his hurried departure, he had to leave most of what he owned behind. All was seized by the Confederate Army. He did take with him his yoke of oxen, a new three quarter wagon, and some gold.
After crossing through Confederate lines, Luke left his oxen and wagon about four miles from Milton, on the side of Yellow river about nine miles from Pensacola, Florida. This was a temporary measure until he could get to Pensacola and make arrangements to get the oxen and wagon across the river. It was his intention to sell them after he retrieved them.
Next, he stole an old leaky flat boat, put his family on board, and rafted down to the US navy yard at Pensacola. It was there, at Captain Brunner’s ship, Luke swore an oath of allegiance to support the Constitution of the United States.
Not long after he arrived in Pensacola, Luke learned that Federal soldiers (Captain Cooper’s men) had made a raid and taken his oxen and wagon. The man he had left them with came to tell him. He said the property was taken to Captain Cooper at the Pensacola Navy Yard. Captain Cooper, was the Quartermaster at Barrancas and under the command of General Asboth.
Luke and his sons and son-in-law worked for the US Government in Florida for a while. It appears that at one stage, they were in the country out the back of Pensacola getting out wood for the army.
It appears that Luke and his family settled on Santa Rosa Island:
“... After I got to Santa Rosa Island, I bought provisions and fed the Confederate deserters who were going through and paid their way to the navy yard and turned them over to the Provost Marshal or General Asboth. – I spent all of the remainder of my gold in this way – I sent as many as two hundred deserters across in all – Me and my son took seventeen across at one time ...”
[Luke Congleton - Deposition to Southern States Commission - Evergreen, Conecuh County - 12 June 1873]
After the War
As the War ended, Luke was travelling. According to his testimony to the Commission, he didn’t immediately go back to Alabama. He was in New Orleans in April 1865 when he heard the news that, on 14 April 1865, President Lincoln had been assassinated. At that time, he was on his way to Indiana. He continued on his way there immediately after hearing the news.
In Indiana, Luke worked on a farm for a few weeks and then went on to Union County, Kentucky where he worked for William Cissle [?] for the next four years. He doesn’t say in his deposition whether his wife and children were with him—presumably they were?
After that, he returned to Alabama and settled at Old Town/Mount Union (near Evergreen) in Conecuh County. That is where he was when the 1870 Federal Census was taken15.
Freedman Bureau Records
I found a record via Family Search from the Freedmen’s Bureau Records16. It suggests Luke’s circumstances were considered by the Bureau of Refugees in March 1867. It is very hard to read and transcription tools haven’t helped much.
What follows are extracts relating to Luke and my poor attempt at interpreting them. If you can offer any insight please comment on the post.
“Endorsement on_____ of Hon G.B. Paine dated Washington March 7 1867 (not entered) requesting transport for Luke Congleton, a loyal, destitute refugee from Ky [Kentucky] to his house in Ala [Alabama].
Respectfully referred to Bvt [Breverted] Brig. Genl H.M. Whitteley _____
By order of Maj. Genl O O Harwood
A.P. Ketchum
Actg Asst Adjt Genl”
“Genl Whitteley 222 fol. 31 [or Vol. 31]
Rec’d _____ April 20th stating that it does not appear that Luke Congleton is dependent upon the County and asks special instructions _____. Refer to last County Ky [Kentucky] for any information he may have rec’d for recommendation
By order APK [AP Ketchum] A.A.A.G. [Acting Assistant Adjutant General”
The outcome isn’t clear but Luke did return to Alabama from Kentucky sometime after this so he may have been successful in getting help to move back there.
Five years later Luke made his petition to the Southern Claims Commission.
Luke’s Petition to the Southern Claims Commission
When Luke’s petition was first lodged on 2 August 1872, it was William P. C. Miller of Jamestown, Alabama who lodged the petition with the Southern Claims Commission on Luke’s behalf. He described Luke as follows:
“He
[Luke]is very Poor, Honest, & very Loyal and always has been”
At the time, Luke was living at Old Town/Mount Union near Evergreen in Conecuh County, Alabama. He could not read or write. His petition to the Commission—and, later, his deposition—were signed with his X mark.
On 12 June 1873, a hearing was convened at Evergreen, Conecuh County, Alabama before George H. Patrick, Special Commissioner of Claims for Alabama. At this hearing the nature of the claim was heard along with Luke’s deposition attesting to his loyalty and loss of property to the US Army. Also heard were depositions pertinent to the claim from Luke’s witnesses.
Luke claimed a total of $530 in relation to the taking of one yoke of oxen, used for beef and worth $100.00 and one wagon worth $60.00 and for the cash amount of $370 which he had furnished to the Navy. He said he didn’t receive a voucher or receipt at the time that his property was taken or furnished.
Sometime after 1 July 187417, the Commission convened in Washington DC to consider Luke’s petition. This could have been as late as 1875 or 1876 because the outcome of Luke’s Claim (Petition No. 15481) wasn’t summitted to Congress until 4 December 1876.
His claim was disallowed:
“The claimant is an old man - was living in Covington County, Ala when the war commenced and went to Pensacola with his family. He adhered to the Federal cause without doubt, but unfortunately is unable to prove the taking of his oxen and wagon for the use of the army. He furnished some money to different union men. The claim is not proved and is, disallowed”.
[A O Alder, Orange Ferriss, J B Howell Commissioners of Claims - Southern Claims Commission]
The outcome of the claim was printed in the Digest of Disallowed Claims18 as follows:
My Relationship to Luke
You can read more about Luke here and more about his Southern Claims Commission Case here
I don’t know what my relationship to Luke is, although I am certain there is one. My 2nd great grandfather, Redden Congleton is mentioned twice in Luke’s Bible19. He may be Luke’s son? Or not? You can read more about this and the vague and contradictory evidence relating to it here.
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Notes
The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Barred and Disallowed Case Files of the Southern Claims Commission, 1871-1880; Record Group Title: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789 - 2015; Record Group Number: 233; Series Number: M1407 via Ancestry.com. U.S., Southern Claims Commission, Disallowed and Barred Claims, 1871-1880 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Accessed 18 January 2026
1860 Federal Census - Covington County, Alabama - “United States, Census, 1860”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHD6-JP9 : Mon Jul 08 03:02:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Luke Congleton and Mary Congleton, 1860.
1870 Federal Census - Beat 6 Old Town, Conecuh, Alabama - “United States, Census, 1870”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHK9-3P5 : Thu Oct 16 14:31:03 UTC 2025), Entry for Luke Cagleton and Mary Cagleton, 1870.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29489236/luke-congleton: accessed January 29, 2026), memorial page for Luke Congleton (1804–1877), Find a Grave Memorial ID 29489236, citing Mount Union Cemetery, Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; Maintained by Shon Congleton (contributor 47045048).
Luke's grave has never been found but it is thought likely that he is buried with Mary Ann. Mary Ann [Quates] Congleton is buried in the Barlow Cemetery as verified through cemetery records. The Barlow Cemetery unfortunately has been lost and everyone who knew where it was has since passed away. Luke’s descendants believe it to be within 3-5 miles west of Mount Union. The memorial stone was, therefore, placed at Mt Union Cemetery. Information and image shared to me by Shon Congleton (August 2022).
You can read about William and his descendents in the book about William’s son—William Congleton, Kentucky pioneer / by Marie Congleton Allega with the help of Austin E. Allega. I have not yet accessed this book. Extracts from it were sent to me via personal correspondence, Shon Congleton to Jane Chapman 1 August 2022.
1870 Federal Census - Beat 6 Old Town, Conecuh, Alabama - “United States, Census, 1870”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHK9-3P5 : Thu Oct 16 14:31:03 UTC 2025), Entry for Luke Cagleton and Mary Cagleton, 1870.
He is unlikely to be the son of William's son William because William II was in Kentucky by 1790 according to research shared with me by Shon Congleton - personal correspondence April 2022.
Jonathan Martin ‘Pitt County (1760)’ North Carolina History Project [Website]. Accessed 21 January 2026.
1830 Federal Census - Year: 1830; Census Place: Williamston, Martin, North Carolina; Series: M19; Roll: 122; Page: 410; Family History Library Film: 0018088 via Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
The place Congleton is located on the border of current day Pitt County and Martin County (35° 45’ 8N Lat., 77° 13’ 53W Long.) about 9-10 miles as the crow flies north-east of Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. In addition, one of Luke’s granddaughters was named Pactolus. The town of Pactolus, North Carolina is approximately 10 miles due south of Congleton (35° 37’ 42N Lat., 77° 13’ 4W Long) - Information given to me by Shon Congleton, August 2022.
The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Barred and Disallowed Case Files of the Southern Claims Commission, 1871-1880; Record Group Title: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789 - 2015; Record Group Number: 233; Series Number: M1407 via Ancestry.com. U.S., Southern Claims Commission, Disallowed and Barred Claims, 1871-1880 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Accessed 18 January 2026
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46476702/mary_ann-barlow: accessed January 31, 2026), memorial page for Mary Ann “Mollie” Congleton Barlow (5 Jul 1858–Jan 1904), Find a Grave Memorial ID 46476702, citing Old Town Cemetery, Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; Maintained by Patricia Dunbar (contributor 46627262).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29489272/sarahann-ralls: accessed January 29, 2026), memorial page for Sarahann Congleton Ralls (21 Jun 1863–27 Mar 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 29489272, citing Mount Union Cemetery, Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; Maintained by Shon Congleton (contributor 47045048).
1870 Federal Census - Beat 6 Old Town, Conecuh, Alabama - “United States, Census, 1870”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHK9-3P5 : Thu Oct 16 14:31:03 UTC 2025), Entry for Luke Cagleton and Mary Cagleton, 1870.
“United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T4-G3N8-K?view=fullText : Feb 3, 2026), image 531 of 547; United States. National Archives and Records Administration. Image Group Number: 007675271
This is the date Luke signed (with his mark) on a statement appointing H. P. Chipman, A. A. Hosmer and H. O. Gilmore of Chipman, Hosmer & Co., (Washington D. C.) as his attorneys to appear for him before the Commission.
“United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHJ-6QVT-P3S1-5?view=fullText : Feb 3, 2026), image 1020 of 1900; ?. Image Group Number: 110994502.
Extracts from Luke’s Bible were shared with me by Luke’s 3rd great grandson Shon Congleton - personal email correspondence, Shon Congleton to Jane Chapman August 2022
The experience of Union sympathizers in Confederate territitory is a largely untold story. It was on such a large scale that ironically, the routes that runaway slaves used in the underground railroad later during the war became migration routes for such people leaving Confederate territory for safety in the north.
Luke Congleton’s story is inspiring, he clearly risked everything to stay loyal to the Union and help others, even when surrounded by hostility. It’s unfortunate his claim was denied, but his courage and principle speak louder than any official recognition.