Title: Petition of William Thomas, 1 May 1862
Date: May 1, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 2. 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.00004
TEI/XML: cww.00004.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, Wm Thomas of Washington, D.C. by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that heis 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 woman a person of African descent of the name of Kitty for and during the life of said Kitty and that by said act of Congress said woman was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said woman was of the age of about fourty seven and of the personal description following:(1) is black short of stature. lame of one foot caused by burn when a child, is in good health. a good house servant cook, washer &c is of good moral character
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said woman in manner following:(2) by purchase from Ed. A. Roach Admin J. T. Elwood late as in bill of sale hereto annexed marked (A)
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said woman Kitty was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of $300 dollars in money.(3) that he knows no facts affecting the value of said woman impairing or affirming
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 woman into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said woman 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 woman 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 woman 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.
Wm Thomas
Know all men by these presents that I Edward A Roach administrator of Isaac J Elwood Late of Washington County D.C. in consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) current money of the United States to me in hand paid by William Thomas of Washington City the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge paid and by presents do bargain sell convey and deliver unto the said Thomas and Negress servant Kitty about the age of forty three and a slave for life.
To Have and to Hold the said Negress Kitty unto him the said Thomas his executors administrators and assigns forever free him the claim or claims of any and all persons whatsoever. In discharging upon three under set my hand and seal this March [illegible]9th 1858 [illegible]
F. Williams
Notary
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, William Thomas 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.
Wm Thomas
Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of May A. D. 1862.
Wm R. Woodward clk
William Thomas
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.
