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:Here
describe the person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than
one slave, describe each one separately.
Robert dark complexion about 5 feet 9 or 10
inc.
inches
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
complexion
, & 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:Here state how
the claim was acquired, when, from whom, and for what price or
consideration; and, if held under any written evidence of title, make
exhibit thereof, or refer to the public record where the same may be
found.
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.Here state such
facts, if any there be, touching the value of the petitioner's claim to the
service or labor of the person, as may enhance the same, and also such
facts, if any, touching the moral, mental, and bodily infirmities or defects
of said person, as impair the value of the petitioner's claim to such
service or labor, and conclude such statement with an averment that the
petitioner knows of no other infirmities or defects of said person which
impair the value of petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and that he
believes none other to exist. If the petitioner specify no such infirmity or
defect, then his statement touching the value of his claim should conclude
with an averment that he has no knowledge of any such infirmity or
defect.
and that all of the said Servants are sound in body and
mind, & capable of performing their daily
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.
(Signed by)
Charles Vinson