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, Sarah Jones of Washington City D.C. by this her petition in writing, represents and states, that she 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 nine persons & 2 twins of 6 mos. persons of African descent of the name of James Countee, Richd Wallace, Thomas Seibert, George Jackson, Charley Hues, Otho Hues, Louisa Seibert & 2 twins Ida Seibert, Matilda for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons was 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 persons was were of the age of and of the personal description following:(1)

• James Countee aged 60 years. Copper colored. For whom I make no claim.
• Richard Wallace age 30, Copper colored, 5ft 10in high, Scar over eye, a very healthy man, without any mental or moral defect, value $1200
• Thos. Seibert aged 25 years, Mullatto​, 6ft high, valuable house Servant value $1100
• George Jackson aged 21 years, dark Brown. little cast in the eyed​ 5 feet 6in high valuable servant value $1000
• Charley Hues aged 15 years, Dark Brown Scar in the hand 4 feet 3in high. Valuable Servant value $450
• Otho Hues aged 13 years Dark Brown. Valuable boy valued at $350
• Louisa Seibert aged 23 years. Yellow and her twin children aged 6 months. Valuable Servant and healthy value $900
• Ida Seibert aged 5 years Copper Colored, 2 feet and 3in high value $300
• Matilda aged 15 years Copper Colored. Valuable and healthy value $900

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) I raised them all except James Countee, their father and mother were in my husband's family for many years.

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 $6200 dollars in money.(3) They are all healthy and have no mental or bodily defects, that would impair their value.

Your petitioner hereby declares that she bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that she 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 she 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 her 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 her 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.