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, John Gibson of Washington D. C.
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 Jane Brooks a female person of
African descent of the name of Jane
Brooks for and during the life of said Jane Brooks and that by said
act of Congress said Jane Brooks
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 Jane Brooks was of the age of
Thirty or Thirty one 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.
of a "Dark Chestnut complexion—about five
(5) feet five (5) inches high—rather Stout and well
formed—erect in her Carriage—likely and
intelligent.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said person (named
Jane) 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 he purchased the same of Owen
Sheckell acting as the Agent of C. M.
Price at, and for the sum of Nine hundred and Seventy five
(975.) dollars—and Your Petitioner files herewith the Bill of Sale for
Said person bearing date Novr 25th AD 1858, as a part of this his petition.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Jane was, at the time of said
discharge therefrom, of the value of One thousand
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.That the said Jane is perfectly sound and healthy,—of good
habits and a most excellent cook and house keeper. She can command good
wages at any time for her Services, and your Petitioner avers that he has no
knowledge of any moral, mental or bodily infirmity in said person, or
defect of any kind calculated to impair his said claim
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 Jane into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at
the time of the passage thereof, said Jane 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said Jane 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 Jane 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) John Gibson