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,
Thomas H. Barron
of
Washington City
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 two
female persons of African descent of the names of
Sarah Harrison, and Maria
Cole
for and during the life of said
Sarah and Maria
and that by said act of Congress said
Sarah and Maria 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
Sarah and Maria were of
the ages of sixty eight, and fifteen 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.
Sarah Harrison, about sixty eight
years of age; about five feet two inches high; dark color; stout built; and
in as good health as is usual for one of her age. Maria
Cole, fifteen years of age; about five feet three inches
high, copper color; bushy head, stout built; robust, and in perfect health,
and a good house servant. She was held to service here from her birth, but
was temporarily absent in Prince George's County,
Maryland at the time of the passage of the Emancipation Act,
and returned soon after, of her own accord by the consent of your
Petitioner; and she is now enjoying her freedom.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said two 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.
Sarah Harrison, by inheritance from
his mother; and Maria Cole, by virtue of Marriage. He
knows of no written evidence of title in existence.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said
Sarah and Maria
was, at the
time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of (see
below) 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.
Sarah Harrison, one hundred and
fifty dollars, and he knows of no infirmities or defects except such as are
incident to old age. Maria Cole, eight hundred dollars,
and he knows of no infirmities or defects to impair her value.
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
Sarah and Maria
into
the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of
Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said
Sarah and Maria were
washeld 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
Sarah and Maria
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
Sarah and
Maria
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)
Thomas H. Barron