Court Record  of Quinn Gray  

This  information  was translated by Shirley Gray Buckley, from Lawrence Co. Alabama Court 

records and typed by Erma Lee (Judkins) Masters,  year 2001 

 Page 3

The claim of Geo. W. Gray, Admin. Of Quinn Gray dec'd of Lawrence Co.-One Mule  $150 
Remarks
Quinn Gray was a colored man & formerly the slave of Jonathan Gray of Lawrence Co. Ala.  In 

1864 Quinn was a soldier in the Federal Army.  He died in 1866.  In 1871  Geo. W. Gray, the 

petitioner & son of decedents former master was appointed administrator of decedent's estate. 

 The claim is for a mule taken in 1865 by the federal forces.  It is alleged that the mule was

given to  Quinn  Gray  by his former master for faithful services.  There is no proof that 

Quinn Gray ever had actual possession of the mule or that it was in any way delivered to him

 so as to pass the title by gift.  It was taken in 1865 probably while Quinn was a soldier. 

 It was taken from the old master's field with other mules that was then employed in plowing. 

 From this it ( is likely) inferred that there had been no delivery.
Page 4
The time of year when the mule was taken is not given.  One witness says it was in the 

spring-after the news of Lee's surrender had been received, horses & mules were rarely taken 

for any use.  It is by no means certain that this mule was taken for the use of the army.  

For the reasons given we can not allow the claim.  It is not necessary therefore to enquire 

who are Quinn Gray's heirs or for whose benefit the claim is made.  It is disallowed.  

(Signatures)  A.O. Aldis,  ?  ?,  J. B. Howell

Page 9
Quinn Gray died intestate in the County of Lawrence aforesaid, and that on the 228th day of 

June 1871 your petitioner was appointed the administrator of his estate by the Probate Court 

of said County of Lawrence, Alabama.  The said Court granted the annexed Letters of 

Administration to your petitioner which is proved to be (regarded ?) as a proper part of this 

petition.  It is marked ________A9.
Page 10
2. Your petitioner alleges in information and belief that in the spring of the year 1865, the 

Cavalry Command of Col. Phillips 9th Illinois Volunteers, camped nea the home of his said 

intestate and that the said regiment took off with them a mule aged about 6 years, that 

belonged to your petitioner intestate, and carried the said mule with them to Decatur, Alabama.

And your petitioner alleges that the aforesaid mule was the property of his said intestate, 

that the same , as he believes was taken and supplied for the use of the Army of the United 

States;  and that no voucher, receipt or other writing was given therefore.

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Felix Gray, a male about 30 years old of Lawrence County, Ala.  (near Courtland) will testify 

that in the spring of 1865 a squad of 3 or 4 federal soldiers came by the plantation of one 

Jonathan Gray,  where witness was plowing.  That he was plowing a mule that belonged to Quinn 

Gray.  That the said soldiers took the mule away and carried him towards their camp at Pond 

Springs, Ala:  That he knew Quinn Gray well; that he joined the Federal Army and was a soldier 

nearly two years.  The mule was a good mule and was worth $150.00.

Jerry (?) Elliot, a male, about 40 years old, residing near Courtland, Ala. will testify that

he knew Quinn Gray well.  He was a soldier in the Federal Army during the War.  That he saw him in the Army at Decatur, Ala. and that ( he was decked ?) out as a soldier. 

Page 18
The State of Alabama,  Lawrence County )  I, J. H. McDonald, Judge of Probate in aforesaid 

County hereby certify that W.J. Gibson whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate is a 

Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified in aforesaid county and that all ______?. 

Acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.  In testimony whereof  I have here unto set 

my hand and seal of said county this 12th day of July 1871.
J. H. McDonald

Page 19  
George W. Gray- I am forty-three years old, reside Courtland and am a farmer. I am the Admr. 

Of the estate of Quin Gray deseased.  Quin Gray was a slave and belonged to my father. Quinn 

Gray was a Federal Soldier. I think he joined the near army in 1864 during the war while the 

said Quinn Gray was working on my fathers Plantation. My father gave him a mule for his 

faith-fullness and good conduct on the plantation. He was a brown and black mule about five 

years old and was worth from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy five dollars. 
           G.W. Gray

Ryland Vaughn, being duly sworn and deposes and says, I am about forty-seven years old and 

reside near Courtland and am a farmer.  I was well acquainted with Quin Gray.

For twenty-five years, Qwinn Gray belonged to Jonathan Gray. He was a federal soldier- I saw 

him in the camps at Decatur in the Government Service. I saw him dressed as a soldier with his 

gun. I know he owned a mule before he joined the army, that his old master gave him because he 

was his favorite servant. He gave him the mule in time for the war- the mule in Decatur when I 

was there in 1865. I went there to the Government Sales. Quin and I went around to the lot to 

see the stock and we both saw there is the mule in Government Stock Yard. I knew the mule well 

and knew it was Quin's. I think the mule was worth one hundred and fifty dollars
his
. Ryland   x   Vaughn
mark. 
Page 21
Phelix Gray being duly sworn and deposes and says.  I am thirty  two years old and reside near 

Courtland, Ala. and by occupation I am a farmer. I knew Quinn Gray very well. He and I were 

both slaves belonging to Jonathan Gray. He owned a mule that my old master gave him for his 

good behavior. He was a black mule about five or six years old. In the year of 1865 there was 

some federal troops camped at Pond Springs and one day some soldiers came to Mr. Jonathan 

Gray's plantation and took four or five mules, among them was Quin's. The mules were plowing 

at that time they were taken. They led the mules away towards Pond Springs where the Federal 

troops were camped. I think the mule was worth one hundred and fifty dollars. The mule was in 

good order when taken. Quin Gray was a federal soldier and belonged to the 106 Colored Infantry 

Company C commanded by____Pold. 
his
Phelix x Gray
           mark.
Page 22
Witnesses Zerelda Gray and James Gray were not examined because claimant was willing to risk 

the case. 

Page 23
The claimant here introduces Mrs. Levina Gray, and states that the reason her name does not 

appear on the application to take testimony is this case was that he was not aware

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That her testimony was material in the cause. Mrs. Levina Gray being duly sworn and deposes and

says I am about fifty years old and reside near Courtland, Ala. and by occupation am a house 

keeper.  I am the widow of Quin Gray deceased.  I belonged to Jonathan Gray.  My old master 

gave my husband Quinn Gray a mule for his faithfulness as a servant.  The mule was a dark black 

mule.  Sometimes during the year 1865 some Federal Troops was camped at Pond Springs.  They 

were in command by one Maj. Reader. One day while they were camped there some soldiers came to 

Mr. Grays house and went to the field and took Quin's mule out of the plow, with other stock 

towards Pond Springs with them where the troops were camped.  The mule never returned.  The 

mule I think was worth one hundred and fifty dollars.  The mule was about five or six years 

old and was in fine condition. her
                                            Levina   x   Gray
Mark

Page 27

Marelda Gray, a female about 45 years old residing near Courtland, Ala. will testify:  I saw 

the soldiers take the mule out of the plow that Felix Gray was plowing. The mule belonged to 

Quinn Gray.  My old master, Jonathan Gray had given the mule to Quin before he joined the 

Federal Army, because, as old master said, Quinn was kind to him and had taken care of his 

things. The mule was a good mule and was worth $150.00.

James Gray, a male about 30 years old, residing near Courtland, Ala. will testify:  I knew 

Quinn Grays mule, that he saw the soldiers take him to their camp at Pond Springs and that he 

went with the soldiers to their camp.  The mule was worth $150.00.

Ryland Vaughan, a male about 35 years old, residing near Hillsboro, Ala. will testify:  

In the year 1865 the early part thereof in the spring, I was in Decatur, Ala.  Quinn Gray and 

I went to the government lot and we then saw his mule  a-horse mule among the horses and mules 

there collected to be sold.  Quinn went to an officer and told him that his mule was in the lot

and tried to get him, the officer said it was too late as the mule had been sold.  I knew that 

the mule belonged to Quinn, for I had seen the mule frequently before at Mr. Jonathan Gray's 

plantation where Quinn lived. 
Page 28 continued
I lived near Mr. Jonathan Gray and was on a visit to Decatur  when I saw the mule. The mule  

was a good , and was worth $150.00.  Quinn was a Federal Soldier, and I saw him among the 

colored soldiers dressed as a soldier.

Geo. W. Gray,  (Petitioner) will testify, that his father, who is now dead, gave Quinn Gray, 

one of his slaves. A mule, for his ( Quinn's) taking care of his place and stock, and for his 

faithfulness  generally.  This was in the 2nd year of the war.  Quinn was a Federal Soldier. 

He went in the army about the summer of 1864.