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, Jourdan W.
Maury of Arlington
Delaware 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
Three persons of
African descent of the name of Maria and her two children
John and George for and
during the life of said persons 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 Maria was about twenty three years of
age—John about Eight and
George between two and three years of age
of the age of 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.Maria is
very black, very short, and weighs about one hundred and ten
pounds—John & George
are mulatto and likely children—neither of the three has any
particular marks that are recollected
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said persons 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.
He purchased Maria and her son
John from his brother in Law Mr. Thos S.
McNair some seven years ago, but whether or not a bill of was
was given he does not recollect. George the youngest
child of Maria was born while his Mother was owned by
Petitioner.
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 two 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.Maria is a good
cook, nurse and efficient in every branch of house work, very industrious
and her two Boys are very likely in every respect. Your petitioner avers
that he knows of no moral mental or bodily defect or infirmity in either of
the above mentioned persons which could impair the value of his
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 persons or either of
them 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 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.
(Signed by)
Jourdan W. Maury