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,
Henry Weaver
of
Georgetown 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 a certain number of
persons of African descent of the names of
Cato, Sarah and
Dennis His claim being an undivided interest of one
third and an undivided interest of two thirds as guardian for the following
individuals Henry S. Barnes, Angeline
Barnes, and Theodore Barnes
for and during the life of said
Cato, Sarah, and
Dennis
and that by said act of Congress said persons as
aforesaid 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
persons as aforesaid were of the ages of To wit.
Cato. 34 years. Sarah 17 years
and Dennis 59 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.
- Cato Black in color, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches in
height
- Sarah " " "
- Dennis " " "
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said persons as
aforesaid 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.
His individual third interest by marriages. His two
third interest by appointment of the orphans Court of this District as
Guardian for Henry S. Barnes, Angeline
Barnes and Theordore Barnes whose
interests in the foregoing property is still undivided.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons as aforesaid was, at the time of said
discharge therefrom, of the value of Three thousand one
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.
To wit.
- Cato Fourteen Hundred Dollars
- Sarah One thousand Two Hundred Dollars
- Dennis Five Hundred Dollars
I know of no mental or bodily defects in either of the
persons as aforesaid. Cato is a first rate Butcher
Sarah Fine house servant, and
Dennis Farm hand.
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 as
aforesaid into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act
of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons as aforesaid were 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 as aforesaid 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 as aforesaid 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)
Henry Weaver, Trustee Guardian for Henry
S. Barnes, Angeline Barnes and
Theodore Barnes
Henry J.
Barnes
Angeline
Barnes
Theodore
Barnes