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,
Ann Scott
of
Washington City D.C.
by this her petition in writing, represents
and states, that She 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
Martha Ann Bird, Sarah Maria
Bailey and John Bird. for and
during the life of said
Martha Ann, Sarah Maria and
John. and that by said act of Congress said
Martha Ann
Sarah Maria and John 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
Martha Ann, Sarah Maria and
John. was of the age of twenty eight, twelve and one year old Respectively, as
near as can be Recollected 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.
Martha Ann 5 feet 6 inches high, Copper Color good
looking and healthy.
Sarah Ann 4 feet high a Bright
molatto
mulatto
healthy
John Copper color
hight
height
not Known all healthy
That your petitioner acquired her 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.
Martha Ann was Given to her by her Mother in
Prince Georges County Maryland about twelve years
ago Since Which time Martha Ann has lived in the city
of Washington D.C. and the Said Sarah
Maria and John is her offspring and that
there is not written evidence of the Gift
aforsaid
aforesaid
by her mother (Ann V. Soper) and your
petitioner is not aware of any Bodily or mental infirmities of said
slaves.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Slaves was, at the time of said discharge
therefrom, of the value of fourteen 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.
Martha Ann with her child is
hireing
hiring
Regularly for 5 dollars per month Sarah Maria
was living with your petitioner up to the passage of said act when she left
was month per month three dollars they were both obedient servants until
they were free Sarah Maria Baily has a defect in her
eyes no other imperfections known of
Your petitioner hereby declares that She bears true
and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that She 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 She has not brought said Slaves into
the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of
Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Slaves 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said Slaves 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 the said claim to the service or labor
of said Slaves 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)
Mrs Ann Scott