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, Selby B.
Scaggs of Washington
County District of Columbia 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 Thirteen person of African descent of the name of Ailsey Steward, David
Steward
John Steward, Albert Steward,
Lucy Steward or Scaggs
Edward Steward, Maria Gross,
Laura Gross, Margaret Gross
Amanda F. Calvert, Rachel Jacks,
Dennis Lowe
Sarah Hues. for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said Persons of African descent were discharged and
freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at
the time of said discharge said persons were of
the age of 75. 45. 20. 15. 7. 6. 35. 4. 2. 19. 17. 35.
25. years respectively 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.
- Ailsey Steward. age 75 years Color Black. about 5 Ft high
healthy. good nurse—
- Man David Steward. Son of
Ailsey. age 45 years color Black about 5 Ft 7
In high. healthy. first class. Garden and Farm hand.—
- Man John Steward son of David
Steward age 20 years. Color Black about 5 Feet 8 In high.
healthy. good Garden and farm hand. Build medium
- Boy Albert Steward. Son of
David, age 15 years color, black about 5 Feet
high healthy, and very sprightly—good carriage
driver—
- Girl Lucy Steward or Scaggs
age 7 years—well grown color dark Brown, healthy and very
sprightly—
- Boy Edward Steward, age 6 years, color dark
Brown, not very healthy
- Woman Maria Gross, age 35 years. Color light
Brown about 5 Ft 8 In high Stout Built, very Strong and healthy. a good
garden and field hand
- Girl Laura Gross, age 4 years Color light Brown,
sprightly and healthy
- Girl Margaret Gross age 2 years color light
Brown, sprightly and healthy
- Girl Amanda F. Calvert, age 19 years color dark
Brown, about 5 Ft 4 In high Build Stout, healthy, and first class House
Servant
- Girl Rachel Jacks age 7 years color dark Brown,
about 5 Ft 6 in high Build medium, healthy, likely and good House, and
garden hand
- Man Dennis Lowe color Black, age 35 years, both
leggs
legs
off just below the knee very healthy, good ox cart driver and
garden hand—
- Woman Sarah Hues, age 25 years afflicted with
insanity, and fits
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said Persons 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.
To Ailsey Steward, purchased by me,
from my sister Rebecca Lloyd about 4 years ago.
David Steward, the son of Ailsey
Steward by will of my Father James
Scaggs of Prince Georges, Co. Md,.
John Steward. Albert Steward.
Lucy Steward or Scaggs.
Edward Steward. Children of David
Steward. were born in my possession. Maria
Gross and infant Laura were purchased by
me of Isaac Scaggs. My brother of Prince
Geo. Co. Maryland.
Margaret Gross— the daughter of Maria
Gross, born in my possession. Amanda F.
Calvert by purchase from the Estate of Nathaniel
Brady. by order of Orphans' Court of Prince
Georges County Maryland, Rachel Jacks,
born in my possession. Dennis Lowe by purchase about
five years ago. of Henry Hillary of Prince
Georges County Maryland
Sarah Hues, purchased from the Estate of
Nathaniel Brady
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons was, at the time of said discharge
therefrom, of the value of nine thousand two hundred
twenty five 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.
Woman. |
Ailsey Steward |
value in Money |
$50.00 |
|
Man. |
David Steward |
value in money |
1000.00 |
|
Man |
Dennis Lowe |
value in money |
125.00 |
|
Man |
John Steward |
value in money |
1500.00 |
|
Boy. |
Albert Steward |
value |
1200.00 |
|
Girl |
Lucy Steward, or
Scaggs— |
value |
500.00 |
|
Boy |
Edward Steward |
value |
400— |
|
Wo
Woman
|
Mariah Gross |
value in money |
1200— |
|
Girl |
Laura Gross. |
value in money |
250 |
|
Girl |
Margaret Gross |
value in money |
200 |
|
Young woman |
Amanda F. Calvert |
value in money |
1400 |
|
Girl |
Rachel Jacks |
value in money |
1400 |
|
|
|
|
|
9225.00 |
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 persons of African
descent into the District of Columbia since the
passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof,
said persons were 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 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
validity of his said claim to the service or labor
of said persons 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) Selby B.
Scaggs