Title: Petition of Sophia Ridgely, 29 May 1862
Date: May 29, 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.00558
TEI/XML: cww.00558.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, Sophia
Ridgely of Georgetown
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 the following persons of African descent of the name of Hester and Eliza
Gibson 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 persons were
was of the age of 21 & 19 years
respectively and of the personal description following:(1)
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) having been purchased the 14th July 1848, from William Plater, they being two of the children of the woman Susan referred to in the accompanying bill of sale
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 one thousand dollars each in money.(3)They having been appraised by the board of Assessors of Georgetown two years since at $800. each as is shown upon the books in the clerks office of the Corporation of Georgetown; Both of these girls are faithful, honest, & industrious servants are smart and intelligent and have been carefully trained morally and I have no knowledge of any mental, moral or bodily defect in either of them.
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 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 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 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 her 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.
Sophia Ridgely
Administratrix of W. G. Ridgely's Estate.
Know all men by these presents, that I Doctor William Plater of George Town in the District of Columbia, for and in consideration of the sum of Seven hundred and seventy five dollars, to me in hand paid by William G. Ridgely of the same Town and District, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold, and delivered, and by these presents do bargain sell and deliver, unto the said William G Ridgely, my negro Susan, together with her four children, viz William Hester, Eliza and Thomas, to have and to hold the said negro slaves Susan, William, Hester, Eliza and Thomas, unto the said William G. Ridgely, his Executors, Administrators and assigns, to his and their own proper use and benefit, forever: And I the said William Plater, my heirs, Executors and Administrators the said bargained slaves unto the said William G Ridgely, his Executors, Administrators and assigns, from and against all person and persons whomsoever, shall and will warrant and forever defend, by these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this fourteenth day of July 1848.
William Plater
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
William Sothoron
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Sophia Ridgely 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.
Sophia Ridgely
Administratrix of Wm. G. Ridgely's Estate
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of May A. D. 1862.
Jenkin Thomas J Peace
Stephen Gough navy [yard?]
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.
