Civil War Washington

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 R. Brightwell, of Washington, District 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 Five persons of African descent of the name of George Hawkins, Margaret Fletcher Washington Johnson, Addel Davis, Charles Fletcher for and during the life of said George Hawkins Margaret Fletcher, Washington Johnson, Addel Davis, Charles Fletcher and that by said act of Congress said persons 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 George Hawkins, Margaret Fletcher Washington Johnson, Addel Davis, Charles Fletcher were of the age of 60 years, 40 years—33 years, 21 years, 11 years and of the personal description following:(1)

• Man, George Hawkins age about 60 years, Color, dark yellow—about 5 Ft 8 in high, very healthy, good Garden and farm hand—
• Woman, Margaret Fletcher, age, 40 years Color, dark mulatto, about 5 Ft 4 in high build, stout, likely, healthy, and first class cook washer and ironer—seamstress—
• Man, Washington Johnson age about 33 years, Color black—about 5 Ft 8 in high, build medium, healthy, and first class Garden and field hand.
• Woman Addel Davis, age 21 years about 5 Ft 4 in high color black healthy, likely and, first class, Garden and field hand, and good house servant—
• Boy—Charles Fletcher, son of Margaret Fletcher, age 11 years color, light Brown, healthy, sprightly, and well grown

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) By will of my Father, John L. Brightwell, in the fall of the year 1846—of Washington County District of Columbia, as to all but Margaret Fletcher and Charles Fletcher, Margaret Fletcher was got from my Fathers Estate by my sister Ann Naylor, and I exchanged one of my Servants with my sister Ann Naylor, for Margaret Fletcher, Charles Fletcher, was born of Margaret, after Margaret's coming into my possession by exchange.

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 Five thousand one hundred & fifty dollars 5150 in money.(3)

Man	George Hawkins	healthy, good field and garden hand,	value, 350—
Woman,	Margaret Fletcher,	healthy, first class cook washer, ironer, & seamstress	value 1200—
Man,	Washington Johnson,	healthy, first class garden and field hand, value	value—1400
Woman,	Addel Davis,	healthy, first class garden and field hand, and good House Servant—	value—1400
boy—	Charles Fletcher,	healthy, sprightly, and well grown	value, 800
			$5150

The above named persons are all free, from, any moral mental and bodily infirmities or defects—

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 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 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 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 his 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.