Title: Petition of Richard A. Boarman, 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.00166
TEI/XML: cww.00166.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, Richard A. Boarman 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 one person of African descent of the name of George Curtis for and during the life of said George Curtis and that by said act of Congress said person 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 person was of the age of Eleven years— and of the personal description following:(1) four feet 7 ½ inches high, Male, Mullatto—robust and stout for his age—
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said person in manner following:(2) said person came into his possession by Bill of Sale from Ann Biscoe to my wife Eliza Boarman which is herewith filed as an Exhibit—
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said person was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of six hundred dollars in money,(3) He being a remarkable active, healthy and honest boy—without any defects or infirmities, either morally, mentally or bodily—
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 person into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said person 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said person 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 person 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.
Richd A Boarman
to Bill of Sale
Eliza Boarman
Know all men by these presents that I Ann Biscoe of the
City of Washington in the District of
Columbia for and in Consideration of the love and affection
I bear for and towards my sister Eliza Boarman, and for
the Consideration of five dollars current money to me in hand paid have this
day bargained sold and delivered and by these presents do give grant bargain
sell and deliver unto my said Sister Eliza Boarman of
said City of Washington my servant Boy named
George about Eight years of age and a Slave for
life—To Have and To Hold the 
the Said Negro Boy
George as a Slave for life, unto her the Said
Eliza Boarman her Executors administrators and
assigns forever—and I the said Ann Biscoe will
forever warrant and defend the title to Said Boy unto her the Said
Eliza and her Executors and administrators forever,
against all persons and claims whatsoever
In Testimony whereof I hereto Subscribe my name and affix my seal this Sixteenth day of April, One thousand Eight hundred and fifty Eight.
Ann Biscoe seal
Signed Sealed & delivered
In the presence of
Jas Cull
Witness Jas S. Smith
Washington County
Sct.
On this 26h day of April 1858, personally appears Ann Biscoe party grantor to the foregoing Bill of Sale before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and District, and acknowledges the same to be her free act and deed for the purposes therein expressed.
Acknowledged Before & Certified by her
Jas. Cull J. Peace
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Richard A Boarman 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.
Richd A Boarman
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of May A. D. 1862.
Jas. Cull J. P.
Petition of
Rich'd A. Boarman
under Emancipation Act—
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.
