Title: Petition of Francis Dodge, Robert P. Dodge, Emily Dodge, and Mary Thomson, 16 May 1862

Date: May 16, 1862

Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 3. 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.00255

TEI/XML: cww.00255.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 Petitioners, Francis Dodge & Robert P Dodge Executors & Trustees, Emily Dodge & Mary Thomson of Georgetown D.C by this their petition in writing, represents and states, that they are is a persons 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 five persons of African descent of the name of Ann Magruder, Maria Warren Emeline Magruder, John Magruder & Nelly Warren for and during the lifeves of said five persons and that by said act of Congress said five persons were discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioners to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said five persons were of the ages of and of the personal descriptions following:(1)

ages
Ann Magruder, 52, female, Tall, thin, cast in her eyes & dark Colour​ 5.6
Maria Warren 40, do. Light Mulatto 5.4
Emaline Magruder 24 do Stout dark Colour​ 5.5
John Magruder 22 Male Tall, dark Small head 6ft
Nelly Warren 42 female Light Mulatto 5.3
 

That your petitioner acquired their claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said five persons in manner following:(2) They were purchased by Francis Dodge, deceased, of Georgetown DC & by his will (admitted to probate on the 11 of October 1851) came into the possession of F. Dodge & R P Dodge his sons, as Executors of Said will, and Trustees of Miss Emily Dodge a daughter of the Testator, & Miss May Thomson his Sister in law, each of whom enjoy a life estate in the Said servants, after which they revert to said estate

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said five persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 3,300 dollars in money.(3) viz

Ann Magruder cook & dairy maid 600.–
Maria Warren Pastry cook & house servant (at times rheumatic but very capable & useful) 300.–
Emeline Magruder Chambermaid 800.–
John Magruder, Waiter & Gardener 1000.–
Nelly Warren Cook & house Servant 600.–
3300

The above are entirely trustworthy & reliable, having been family Servants for the last twenty years They have no infirmity or defect, other than the one above stated.

Your petitioners hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they hasve 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 they hasve not brought said five persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said five 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 their said claim to the service or labor of said five 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 their said claim to the service or labor of said five 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)
Francis Dodge
Robert Dodge
Executors and Trustees

Emily Dodge
Mary Thomson
 

[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]

I We, Francis Dodge, Robert P. Dodge, Emily Dodge & Mary Thomson, 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 their 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 they believe to be true in substance and in fact.

(Signed by)
Francis Dodge
Robert Dodge
Executors and Trustees

Emily Dodge
Mary Thomson

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of May A. D. 1862.

(Signed by)
Henry Reaver JPeace
255
Francis Dodge
Robert Dodge Trustees and
Emily Dodge and Mary Thompson
Filed May 16, 1862
Charles Larman
B. P. Boone


 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.

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