Autograph document signed by James J. Wilson. Barnwell, South Carolina, 22 March 1864. 4 pages, 8vo. Docketed to verso. 

A rare wartime claim by William Ashley (1797 - 1879), seeking compensation for the death of the enslaved Elic (alt. Elick or Alick, circa 1840-19 January 1864), who was "impressed with services on the 16 November 1863 by Job Braintree(?)." 

Ashley enslaved 108 individuals in 1860, including Elic, whom Ashley raised, according to the claim. He believed Elic was worth $5,000 in compensation when he submitted this claim on 22 March 1864, yet he only received $2,000 from the Office of the State Auditor on 22 November 1864. 

This document was written and signed by James Jennings Wilson (1806 - 1875) as a notary. Wilson studied law and worked as a public servant, eventually serving in the 38th and 39th General Assemblies in the South Carolina Senate. As a delegate for Darlington County, he attended the Secession Convention (1860 - 1862) and signed the Ordinance advocating for South Carolina’s secession from the United States. 

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