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 Petitioners, Alexander McD Davis & Martha A Davis of of Washington City D. C. by this their petition in writing, represents and states, that they are is a persons 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 four persons of African descent of the names of Harriet Louisa McLane and her three children, Julia, Eugene and Fanny for and during the life of said Harriet, Julia, Eugene and Fanny and that by said act of Congress said four persons above named 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 were of the ages of viz: Harriet twenty five years, Julia ten years, Eugene seven years and Fanny five years and of the personal description following:(1)

• Harriet Louisa is black; about five feet one or two inches high, compact, strong and healthy and about twenty five (25) years old.
• Julia is bright yellow; about four feet six or seven inches high, in perfect health and is about ten years old.
• Eugene is bright yellow, about three feet ten or eleven inches high, in perfect health and is about seven or eight years old.
• Fanny is very black, about three feet one or two inches high, very healthy and is five years old

 

That your petitioners acquired their claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said four persons in manner following:(2) At the birth Harriet, her mother was held to service for life by the father of Mrs. M. A Davis who is now one of your petitioners and wife of the other petitioner. The parents of Martha A Davis in Harriet's infancy gave her to said M. A. Davis and that the said Harriet has had three children since and that the three mentioned in this petition are the children of said Harriet

That your petitioner's' claim to the service or labor of said four persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of three thousand dollars in money.(3)The above described persons are the descendants of persons held to service in the family of your petitioners for many years. The mother (Harriet) is a first class servant, kind, honest, industrious, and her three children are of the most promising character, of perfect health and symetry​, except Fanny who is somewhat knock-kneed but which defect can be remedied

Your petitioners hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they have not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioners further states and alleges, that they have not brought said four 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 four persons wasre 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 their said claim to the service or labor of said four 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 our said claim to the service or labor of said four 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.