Confederate Slavery, USA, South Carolina
July 22, 1863 
Affidavit by a slave owner's overseer who was in charge of a large number of negroes and that of a middle aged negro man named John. Died of disease while constructing "Beauregard's Battery" on Sullivan Island in Oct 1862.
This was used for the master to be compensated for loss of slave.

South Carolina.
Orangeburg District     Before me personally appeared
William M Gaffney, who after being duly sworn, on oath
says, that he was employed in the year Eighteen hundred
and sixty two, to manage and oversee, a large number
of negroes, road hands of many persons of the State,
who were sent down to the coast to work on the defences - 
that this Deponent had charge of the negroes who were
put to work at "Beauregard Battery," on Sullivan's
Island. That in September last, a large number
was sent there to work  - and among them, those
[belonging to Dr. John Mullins?] of Kershaw district -
one of whom was named John - a middle aged
man - stout, well built, and in good health -
this man John was taken sick with Dysentery -
had the medical attendance and care of the
physician appointed for that purpose, towit, Dr
Fitz Simons of Charleston - the said negro
John died of Dysentery at Beauregard Battery on
15th October 1862.     W. M. Gaffny
July 22d, 1863

South Carolina
Orangeburg district     I, L. C. G lover, clerk of
the Court of common Pleas & General Sessions in
and for the district & State aforesaid, Do hereby certify
that the foregoing affidavit of William M. Gaffney
was sworn to before me, by him, this day. whose genuine
signature is thereto subscribed. and he is known to
me to be a person of veracity and credibility.

In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the said court, at Orangeburg
Court House this 22d day of July in the 
year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and
sixty Three.     
L. C. Glover
C.C.P. & G.S.

[*seal*]

Wm. M. Gaffrey
affidavit

Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.