Title: Petition of John E. Carter, 6 May 1862
Date: May 6,1862
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.00049
TEI/XML: cww.00049.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,
John E. Carter
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 the following
persons of
African descent of the name of
James Thomas Male aged 18 years
Jiminey Female aged 13 years
Wimney Butter Female aged 65 years
for and during the life of said named
persons and that by said act of Congress said named persons were
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 named persons were
was of the age of
as above mentioned and of the personal
description following:(1)
All being healthy and sound
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said James Thomas in manner following:(2)
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said named persons were
was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of
dollars in money.(3)
as follows
| James Thomas | 1500 dollars |
| Jiminy | 370 dollars |
| Wiminey Butter | 100 dollars |
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 named persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said named persons 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 named 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said named 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.
J. E. Carter
Know all men by three presidents that I, Robert G. Jones of Montgomery County and state of Maryland, for the consideration of the sum of two hundred and twenty five dollars current money, to me in hand paid. By John Earles of the District of Columbia. The receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained, sold and delivered, unto the said do John E. Carter, my servant Jenie in her thirteenth year which said property I will warrant and defend to the said John E Carter, against every other person or persons whomsoever, in we trusts thereof, I have here unto set my name, and affixed my seal, this 27th day of November 1861.
Robert C. Jones
Agent for Mrs, John C. Jones
Mr. V. Buckey
Henry Aikens
Received this 13 day of November 1855 of Mr John E Carter the sum of four hundred Dollars and his note bearing even date with the writing for three hundred & fifty Dollars, which when paid will amount together to seven hundred & fifty Dollars—being the consideration money for a Negro boy named Jimmy about eleven years of age this day purchased of me by said Carter—which said Negro boy is a slave for life, and believed to be sound and healthy in body.
As witness my hand and seal the day and year above written.
H. C. Matthews seal
Charles M. Matthews
A. E. Beall
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, John E Carter 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.
J. E. Carter
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2d day of May A.D. 1862
Robert White
J. Peace
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.)-- by purchase from Henry E. Matthews on the 13th day of October 1855 for the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars, also obtained Jiminy by purchase from one Robert James on the 24th day of Nov. 1861 for the sum of two hundred ninety five dollars also obtained Wimney Butter by purchase. 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.
