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 Petitioner, Samuel Norment of Washington 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 five colored persons of African descent of the name of Serena Truman Allice Sam and Louisa for and during the life of said Servants and that by said act of Congress said Servants 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 Servants were was of the age of and of the personal description following:(1)

• Serena is thirty nine (39) years of age and is the Mother of the others. She is of dark complexion, and of very pleasant disposition. She is hearty healthy and intelligent. Is an excellent cook, washer, and Ironer. In every cause mentally, physically, and morally sound, and is one of the most valuable Servants I ever saw.
• Truman is twelve (12) years of age, and is active hearty, healthy and intelligent. He is also perfectly sound; a valuable boy.
• Allice is nine (9) years of age, and is also hearty, active, and serviceable.
• Sam is Six (6) years of age, and is a smart, sprightly boy. Perfectly sound & good.
• Louisa is one (1) year old, and is a healthy promising child. They are all of </item></ul> <ul><item> dark complexion and not one has a scar.

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Colored persons in manner following:(2) They were given to me by my Father in Law Ulysses Ward five years ago,—both the Mother and her offspring

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Servants was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of $2,500. dollars in money.(3)

Serena is worth	$1.300.
Truman is worth	1.000.
Allice is worth	600.
Sam is worth	500.
Louisa is worth	100.
	2,500.

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 Servants into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said servants wase​ 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 servants 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 Servants 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.