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,
James S. Harvey
of
Washington 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 three
persons of African descent of the names of
Ann Taylor, Eliza Taylor
Moses Carter
for and during the life of said persons and
that by said act of Congress said persons were
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 persons were
wasof the ages of
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.
- Ann Taylor, female, about thirty five years of
age five feet six inches high color dark brown
- Eliza Taylor, female aged thirteen
years—four feet nine inches high—color dark brown
- Moses Carter male aged twenty years—five
feet six inches high—color dark brown
Note—no Peculiar marks remembered about either of
them
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.
He acquired Ann Taylor by the
amicable division of his late father (Thomas Harvey's)
Estate who died without making a will in Prince George County
Md in the year 1846
Eliza Taylor is the daughter of said
Ann and born since I became in possession of her
mother. Moses Carter was obtained by me through the
exchange for slaves given to my wife by her Grandfather since I became
married
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 eighteen 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.
- Ann Taylor worth $500—it being the value
appraised for my proportion of my father's Estate—She is healthy,
active and industrious
- Eliza Taylor worth $300—she is active
healthy and able bodied
- Moses Carter—worth $1000—he is
remarkably stout, healthy well disposed and affectionate
Neither of the above persons have any infirmities or
defects either mentally, morally or bodily—to the best of your
petitioner's knowledge & belief
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 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)
J. S. Harvey