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, George D
Ramsay of the Dist of
Columbia 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 a mulatto woman a person
of African descent of the name of Kitty for and during the life of said Kitty and that by said act of
Congress said Kitty 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
Kitty was of the age of between forty seven and fifty years, (have no positive data on this
point) 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.
Height five feet five inches. Complexion
mulatto Well formed—stout.
That your petitioner acquired a claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said Kitty 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.
By purchase from John, C, Robertson, of the County of Henrico, in the State of Virginia, on the 17th July in the year 1852—as set forth in the paper hereunto annexed.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Kitty was, at the time of said
discharge therefrom, of the value of five 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.I gave for Kitty
four hundred and twenty five dollars. As a cook she has acquired much
knowledge in my family and is now a superior one. To my family she was invaluable; devoted to my young children and to our interests—faithful, and reliable. I purchased her at her own solicitation! She had lived in my family and was taken by her master to Richmond to be sold. I shall feel under an obligation to keep her from want as long as she may live and I have it in my
power. I know of no disease bodily or mental 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 Kitty into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at
the time of the passage thereof, said Kitty 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 Kitty 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 Kitty 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) Geo G Ramsay
Bill of Sale
from J. C. Robertson
for
Negress Kitty.
Know all men by these presents that I, John C. Robertson of
the County of Henrico in the State of
Virginia, in consideration of the sum of Four hundred &
twenty five dollars, lawful money of Virginia to me in
hand paid, by George D Ramsay, at Fortress
Monroe in said State at & before the sealing & delivery
of these presents the receipt whereof I here acknowledge, Have granted,
bargained, sold and confirmed, and by these presents, do grant, bargain, sell
and confirm unto the said George D. Ramsay, a mulattoemulatto slave
woman by the name of Kitty, To have and to hold the said woman Kitty, unto the said George,
D, Ramsay, his executors, administrators and assigns for ever,
guilty, peaceably and undisturbed; in the possession thereof, from me, or any
other person in my name or right whatsoever.
And I the said John C Robertson for myself my executors
& administrators, the said woman Kitty unto the said
George D Ramsay, his executors, administrators and
assigns against me, the said John C. Robertson, my
executors, administrators and assigns, and against all & every other person
or persons whomsoever, claiming, by through or under me, shall and will warrant
& for ever defend, by these presents, of which said Woman
Kitty I the said John C.
Robertson, have put the said George D Ramsay in
possession by delivering her to him. In witness whereof I have set my hand &
seal this 17th day of July in the year 1852
John, G, Robertson seal
Signed, sealed, & delivered & possession given in presence of}