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, Nathan C. McKnew of Washington City 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 two persons—viz: persons of African descent of the name of Robert Thomas and his wife, Nancy Thomas for and during the life of said Robert Thomas and Nancy his wife and that by said act of Congress said persons 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 Robert Thomas was of the age of fifty years, and Nancy Thomas, his wife was of the age of , Forty five, and of the personal description following:(1) Robert Thomas of copper color, Sound in body and mind, and perfectly healthy. he is regarded as an excellent house servant, and coachman and has been employed by Mr. Fletcher near "Geotown​ Heights" as his his​ body servant at the rate of $300.00 per anum​ with board & clothing included. He was worth to me one thousand dollars in cash money. Nancy Thomas his wife, is of copper color, and is a most valuable cook, washer and Ironer, and an excellent house Keeper. She is perfectly sound in body and mind and is a good looking woman and would have refused one thousand dollars in cash. She was worth one thousand dollars.

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Robert Thomas and Nancy his wife in manner following:(2) They were purchased by me from the estate of my father, Thomas McKnew of Prince Georges Co. Md. (deceased) on or about the year 1857

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 2 Thousand dollars in money.(3) Your petitioner further avers that the Said Robert Thomas and Nancy his wife, are free from any moral, mental, and bodily infirmities or defects of said persons, as impair the value of your petitioners claim to the best of his knowledge and belief.

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 Persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said 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 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.