Title: Petition of Ann Green, 28 June 1862

Date: June 28, 1862

Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 5. 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.00780

TEI/XML: cww.00780.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, Ann Green of the District of Columbia 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 ten— person of African descent of the name of Mary Jane, Henry, Charles, Susanna, Francis and John Gustavus Adolphus Dorsey—for and during the life of said persons and the unexpired term of service of Thomas Waters Aaron Edmonson, Rachel Henry and Phebe Edmonson until they arrive respectively, at the age of 35 years, except Phebe whose term of service expires at 30 years of age. for and during the life of said and that by said act of Congress said person are 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 of the age of viz. Mary J. Dorsey 38, Henry 21, Charles 19, Susanna 16, Francis 14, Gustavus 10 Thomas Water 30, Aaron Edmonson about 27, Rachel 20 and Phebe Edmonson 22 of the age of and of the personal description following:(1)

  • "Mary Jane", a bright mulatto, medium stature, first rate cook, fine disposition & most faithful servant in all respects.
  • "Henry" Bright mulatto, remarkably honest, faithful, competent & in all respects a most valuable servant.
  • "Charles" Very bright color, short stature, first rate farm hand & valuable servant.
  • "Susanna"—Dark color, capable, amiable & first rate nurse.
  • "Francis"—Dark color, very quick, bright countenance, very honest upright, capable, and reliable.
  • "Gustavis", black color, open bright countenance, a very remarkable child as regards his instinctive goodness and capability—
  • Thomas Waters, Black, rather tall, & straight, honest, upright & capable.
  • Aaron Edmonson, Tall, black, rather straight, very active & capable
  • Rachel Edmonson, Rather tall, black, athletic, honest and first rate servant.
  • Phebe Edmonson, Very tall for a woman, black, robust, and capable of great endurance and determination.

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) Viz. The mother of the Dorsey family was purchased in 1815 & the children were born and raised in my family. The others inherited from my mother Mrs. Rebecca Forrest. (see her will on file)

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 $9,400 dollars in money.(3) viz: Mary Jane, $1000, Henry $1500, Charles $1300, Susie $1100, Francis $1200, Guste $1200, & for the unexpired term of service of Toni $300, of Aaron $500, of Rachel $800, of Phebe $500, which is not less than their value to me, and they are all perfectly strong, stout, hearty, healthy, and free from disease.

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.

(Signed by)
Ann Green
 

[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]

I, Ann Green 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.

(Signed by)
Ann Green

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of June A. D. 1862.

(Signed by)
Jenkin Thomas, J Peace
780
Ann Green
Filed June 28, 1862


 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.

Transcription and encoding: Susan C. Lawrence, Janel Cayer, and Courtney Geerhart.