Title: Petition of Sarah G. Anderson through her Guardian Joseph W. Webb, 28 May 1862
Date: May 28, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 4. 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.00505
TEI/XML: cww.00505.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 Petitioner, Sarah G. Anderson of Washington City 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 Five persons of African descent of the name of Jeannette, Charles, Mary Jane, Betty and Becky. for and during the life of said Jeannette, Charles, Mary Jane, Betty and Becky and that by said act of Congress said Jeannette, Charles, Mary Jane, Betty and Becky 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 Jeannette, Charles, Mary Jane, Betty and Becky were of the ages of thirty four. twelve, nine, four and ten years and of the personal description following:(1)
- Jeannette, light mullato
- Charles dark brown.
- Mary Jane. very light mullato.
- Betty— Do Do.
- Becky— Do Do.
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said servants in manner following:(2) that is to say a gift from—of her paternal Grandmother
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said servants was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Three Thousand dollars in money.(3) Jeannette is a good cook, washerwoman and general house servant and her services are worth at least Eight dollars per month to said petitioner; her whole value being $800 Charles is a bright boy and good servant for his age and his services are worth five Dollars per month to said petitioner his whole value being $900, Mary Jane, is worth $500, Betty $400 and Becky and are children of tender years, but bright and promising. that petitioner knows of no mental moral or bodily infirmities that impair the value of the said slaves—
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 servants into
the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at
the time of the passage thereof, said servants
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 her said claim to the service or labor of said servants 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 value of her said claim to the service or labor of said servants 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.
J W. Webb
Guardian for Sarah G. Anderson
Sarah G. Anderson
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Joseph W. Webb Guardian for Sarah G. Anderson 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 my 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 believe to be true in substance and in fact.
J W Webb
Guardian for Sarah G. Anderson
Sarah G. Anderson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of May A. D. 1862.
Jno H. Johnson JP seal
This 28th Day of may 1862 personally appeared Sarah G. Anderson to make oath in due form of law that all the above matters and things set forth in the foregoing petition and are in substance and in fact, sworn to and subscribed
Jno H. Johnson JP seal
Petition of Sarah G. Anderson through her Guardian Joseph W. Webb Under the "Act of 16th of April 1862"
Manumission
R. h. Smith
Charles Lawrence
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.
