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,
Ann Biscoe
of
Washington D. C.
by this her petition in writing, represents
and states, that 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 four persons of African descent of the names of
Mary Forrest, Elsie Curtis
Mary Ellen Simms, Marion Curtis
for and during the life of said persons and
that by said act of Congress said 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 persons were was of the age of respectively and of the personal description
following:Here describe the
person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave,
describe each one separately.
-
Mary Forrest, female, aged 32 years 5 feet 1 ½
inches high, of a delicate make but quite healthy—color
black—
-
Elsie Curtis, female, aged 29 years 5 feet 2 inches
high—stoutly made and able bodied. Color black—
-
Maria Ellen Simms—female—aged 25 years,
5 feet 1 ½ inches high likely and robust—color light
brown—
-
Marion Curtis female, aged 9 years—about 4
ft. 9 inches high delicately made—but lively and
healthy—color
Mullatto
Mulatto
Note—There are no peculiar marks or scars about either
of the above named persons of color—
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said
persons
in manner following: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.
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 $2625:00/100 dollars in
money,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.
-
Mary Forrest valued at $750 00/100 she being a
sound faithful and honest servant.
-
Elsie Curtis valued at $800.00/100 also sound
faithful and honest
-
Maria Ellen Simms valued at $800.00/100 also sound
faithful and honest
-
Marion Curtis valued at $275.00/100 also sound
faithful and honest
Your petitioner has no knowledge of any infirmity or defect
either morally, mentally or bodily in either of said persons, but believes them
to be as represented—
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 were
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.
(Signed by)
Ann Biscoe