Civil War Washington

PETITION.

To the Commissioners under the act of Congress approved the 16th of April, 1862, entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia."

Your Petitioner, Charles Vinson of Washington by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that he is a person loyal to the United States, who, at the time of the passage of the said act of Congress, held a claim to service or labor against Nine persons of African descent of the name of Robert Meekins, Alexander Meekins, Harrison Meekins, Lila Powell, Phillis Noland, Basil Noland, Betsey Noland, Milley Noland, and Hanson Noland, for and during the life of said named servants and that by said act of Congress said named servants are discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said named servants are of the age of Robert 38 years, Alexander 25, Harrison 22, Lila 70, Phillis 39, Basil 19, Milley 14, Betsey 12, and Hanson 10—and of the personal description following:(1) Robert dark complexion about 5 feet 9 or 10 inc.​ temperate& honest now hired to a farmer in Maryland for the present year. Alexander Black complexion 5 foot 6 or 7 inches. Dining room & house servant No. 1 qualifications temperate & honest, Harrison black complexion, round face & full eyes, his services for some time given to a married Daughter in Maryland but home since the Middle of March Lila cook in my family, not very dark, good features & face faithful & honest—Phillis Washer and Ironer in my family 5 feet 8 or 9 inches, dark complexion, good features & face faithful and honest, Basil, dark complexion good face & features waiter & dining room servant 5 feet 6 or 7 inches honest in character, Milley, complexion dark, good character, out as Nurse and chamber maid. Betsey, Waiter & chamber maid in family, dark complexn​, & handsome face & features, sprightly & intelligent Hanson, dark complexion, good features & face, sprightly & intelligent.

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Servants in manner following:(2) by the will of her Father to Robert, Alexander, Harrison, Lila, & Phillis, to Basil, Milley, Betsey & Hanson, born to Phillis while in the service & belonging to your petitioner

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Servants was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 9700 dollars in money.(3) and that all of the said Servants are sound in body and mind, & capable of performing their daily [illegible]

Your petitioner hereby declares that he bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that he has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioner further states and alleges, that he has not brought said Servants into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons of African descent are was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor persons does not originate in or by virtue of any transfer heretofore made by any person who has in any manner aided or sustained the present rebellion against the Government of the United States.

And your petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the value of his said claim to the service or labor of said persons of African descent herein above set forth; and if the same be found to be valid, that they appraise and apportion the value of said claim in money, and report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in conformity to the provisions of said act of Congress.