by Elizabeth Nitschke Hicks, May 1997
Many researchers look for records that will provide information and insight into the lives of their ancestors who lived during the Civil War. One excellent source of this kind of information can be found in Clayton Library’s microfilm of the Georgia Civil War Salt Rolls, 1862-1864, located in cabinet 29, drawer 6. To understand what these records are, one has to realize the significance of salt. Salt has always been an important commodity, but never more important than during the Civil War period. Since there was no refrigeration, salt was used to cure meat, to tan the leather used to make shoes and other leather goods for soldiers, to set dye in cloth used to make uniforms, and for the many horses and mules that accompanied the troops. In addition, farmers needed large amounts of salt in butchering farm animals for market. With no salt to preserve meat, there was no product to sell. And with no product to sell, there was no money with which to buy necessities. People would be destitute.
The blockade of the coastal waters of the Confederacy made the importance and value of salt abundantly apparent. As with other scarce commodities, prices soared and there was hoarding by profiteers. Georgia, as well as other states of the Confederacy, passed laws allowing the Governor to seize salt held for exorbitant prices. This salt was then distributed by the county commissioners court in each county. Among the recipients were indigent families and families who fell into the following categories:
Daniel Cook
Robert Brady
J.R. Holsonbake
James Asbury
E.M. Waters
J.W. McBride
James McBride
P.A. McBride
Total ---- 8
Example: For Fulton County, we find the following individuals named as members of families dependent for support on the labor of a soldier now in service:
Delilah Ledbetter
Lizzie Barlow
N.A. Webster
Total ---- 3
These records are a way to determine civil war service for an ancestor and will provide clues to look for others that will give you a picture of your ancestor’s life during the Civil War years. Be sure to check other states for these salt roll records.