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,
Notley Moreland
of
Washington County
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 the
following named persons of African descent of the names of
Caroline Bowie, Jack Broom,
Annie Broom, Mary Bowie,
Nace Johnson and a baby not yet christianedchristened
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
Caroline Bowie was of the age of twenty four years
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.
copper color about five feet seven inches high.
Jack Broom was of the age of eight years yellow
complexion about four feet high.
Annie Broom was
of the age of six years, yellow complexion about three feet high
Mary Bowie was of the age of three years
copper complexion about two feet six inches high
Baby not yet christianedchristened
about four months old
Nace Johnson was of the age of
sixteen years Black color about four feet six inches.
None of the
above named persons have any marks or scars of any description on their
persons except Nace who has a slight scar on his cheek produced by a
scald
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.
That is to say he acquired Caroline
by his marriage to his present wife. Jack
Annie
Mary and the Baby are her children born since she came
into possession of your petitioner.
Nace was bought about
thirteen years ago from the estate of Richard Bowie. A
Bill of Sale for Nace is in my possession which I will
produce if required.
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 3,750 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.
Caroline is valued at $1200.
Nace at $900. Jack at $800
Annie at $500 and the Baby at $50.
Caroline is an excellent cook and lived in my family
also an elegant house servant washer & ironer
Nace
is an excellent field an excellent and fine boy
Jack is a good waiter and good house servant the children are all in a good &
healthy condition.
Your petitioner further declares that he knows of no moral
mental or bodily defects or infirmities in either the above named persons
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 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 he
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)
Notley Moreland