Title: Petition of John T. Kelly, 8 May 1862
Date: May 8, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 2. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).
Civil War Washington ID: cww.00108
TEI/XML: cww.00108.xml
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,
John T. Kelly
of
Georgetown D.C.
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 a Male Person named
William Jones a person of African descent of
the name of
William Jones
for and during the life of said
the term of Five Years from the 22nd day of April 1861 to the 22nd day
of April 1866
and that by said act of Congress said
William Jones was discharged and freed of and
from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of
said discharge said
William Jones was of the age of thirty one Years and of the personal description
following:(1)5 feet 8 inches
high of a Dark Color
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said William Jones in manner following:(2)at a Sheriff's Sale in Baltimore County Maryland for the Sum of Four hundred & fifty dollars as per copy of the Records from Baltimore County Court herewith filed
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said William Jones was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of four hundred & fifty dollars in money.(3)
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 William Jones into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said William Jones 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 of said William Jones 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 validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said William Jones 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.
John T. Kelly
Vs
William Jones
In the Circuit Court for Baltimore County
March Term 1861
Plea non cul: [illegible]
Jury found Verdict "Guilty"
31 March 1861 Judgment that Prisoner be sold out of the State of Maryland for the balance of the Term for which he is a slave to wit until the 22nd Day of April 1866.
3rd April 1861. William Jones was sold to John T. Kelly of the District of Columbia for the Sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars to serve as a slave out of the State of Maryland until the 22nd day of April 1866 F. J. Wheeler Shff. Sheff's Report of sale filed
Baltimore County Sct I George H. Carman, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County do certify that the above is a true copy of the Judgement of the Court and the Sheriff's Execution thereof taken from the Criminal Docket of said Court for the March Term 1861
In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court the third day of April 1861
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, John T. Kelly being duly sworn, do depose and say, that all the several matters and things which are set forth and stated in the foregoing petition, as of my own knowledge, are true in substance and in fact; and that all the several other matters and things therein set forth and stated, as from the information of others, I believe to be true in substance and in fact.
John T. Kelley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of May A.D. 1862
Robert White
J. Peace
Petition of John T. Kelly
Atty for Petitioner
Note (1.)-- Here describe the person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave, describe each one separately.
Note (2.)-- 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.
Note (3.)-- 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.
