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 Fister
of
Washington City
by this my 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 woman and her two
sons persons of African descent of the
name of
Sophia, Henry T Barnes and
James L Barnes
for and during the life of said
Sophia, Henry and
James
and that by said act of Congress said slaves
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
Sophia
Henry and James were of the
age of thirty seven (37) years—Fifteen (15) years
and Thirteen (13) 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.
- Sophia is 5 feet 2 inches high. Color Dark
Brown
- Henry is 4 feet 11 inches " color the same
- James is 4 feet — " color the same
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said slaves 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 purchase about ten (10) years ago, from
Ladock Williams of Washington
City for Five Hundred and fifty dollars ($550)
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said
Sophia, Henry and
James
was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Eleven Hundred 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.
I know of no moral, mental, bodily impediments or
defects of my own knowledge, or from others, and I believe none
exist—They are healthy and sound
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 into
the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of
Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons 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)
John Fister