Title: Petition of Edgar H. Bates, 2 May 1862
Date: May 2, 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.00009
TEI/XML: cww.00009.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,
Edgar H. Bates
of the District of
Columbia
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 Female person
of African descent of the name of
Adaline
for and during the life of said
term of four years, two months and 20 days and
that by said act of Congress said Adaline was
discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or
labor; that at the time of said
Adaline
discharge said
Adaline
was of the age of 20 years nine months and 20
days and of the personal description following:(1)
dark chesnut
colour about five feet two inches intelligent and smart girl and being to
me at the lowest calculation six dollars per month, said girl is still with
me and I have agreed to give her that amount
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Adaline in manner following:(2) by Father Edward Bates last will and testament on the 27th day of January 1857 in Fairfax County state of Virginia and a copy of said will Recorded in the orphans court in this District, to be free at the age of twenty five years, said girl was born on the 4th day of July in the year 1841, consequently would have been free the 4th of the said month in 1866. She being a part of the personal property of my Fathers she came in my hands by consent of the other heirs and my Brother John E. Bates being the executor of his will
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Adaline was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of three hundred dollars in money.(3) being mentally & physically one of the best servants in the District of Columbia and that he knows of no circumstance impairing her value.
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 Adaline into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Adaline 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said Adaline 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 Adaline 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.
Edgar H. Bates
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Edgar H. Bates 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.
Edgar H. Bates
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day of May A. D. 1862.
Gilbert L. Giberson JP
Petition of Edgar H Bates
Robert W. Bates
Geo R. Adams
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.
