Title: Petition of Thomas R. Bird, 9 May 1862
Date: May 9, 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.00120
TEI/XML: cww.00120.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,
Thomas R Bird
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 —six female persons of African descent of the names of
"Henny"
Louisa
Mariah
Cora
Kate & Grace
for and
during the life of said
Henny
Louisa
Mariah
Cora
Kate & Grace
and that by
said act of Congress said
Henny
Louisa
Mariah
Cora
Kate & Grace 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
were of the ages
of and of the personal description following:(1)
viz
- Henny aged—28 years—Black—4 feet—10 inches high
- Louisa daughter of Henny—aged 12 years—Black—4 feet 6 inches high
- Maria Do " Do " 10 years—Do 3 feet 6 inches high
- Cora Do " Do " 8 years—Do—3 feet 6 inches high
- Kate Do " Do " 2 " Do—2 feet 4 inches high
- Grace aged 8 years—Mulatto Hight 4 feet
That your petitioner acquired his said claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons herein described in manner following:(2) The Woman Henny & two of her said children to wit Louisa & Mariah your petitioner purchased about 9 years since at a sale made by the then Sheriff of Prince George County in the State of Maryland acting officially and the other two children Cora & Kate were born subsequent to his said purchase as aforesaid.
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 Three Thousand Eight
Hundred
dollars
Dollars in money.(3)
as
follows
| Henny | perfectly sound & healthy— | $1,000 |
| Louisa | Do Do Do | 800 |
| Mariah | Do Do Do | 600 |
| Cora | Do Do Do | 600 |
| Kate | Do Do Do | 200 |
| Grace | Do Do Do | 600 |
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
ere held to
service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such
service or labor. acquired as aforesaid
Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his 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.
Thos R. Bird
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Thomas R Bird 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.
Thos R Bird
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of May A. D. 1862.
F. I. Murphey J. P.
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.
