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, John E Neale of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia 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 Four males and Two females, all persons of African descent of the name of Henry Lancaster, John Lancaster—(his Brother) Henrietta—Wife of said John Lancaster,—James & Louis Napoleon Bonnaparte Lancaster—Sons of said John & Henrietta Lancaster, and Eliza Lancaster–daughter of said John & Henrietta Lancaster for and during the life of said persons above named and that by said act of Congress said persons were as discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Henry Lancaster was of the age of 37 years or thereabouts and of the personal description following:(1) To wit: of a light complexion and Pock Marked—very likely, smart, and intelligent, about 5. Ft 7. In in height—tolerably stout and erect in his carriage. Said John Lancaster was of the age of 35 years, or thereabouts, of a Black complexion—very likely, smart and intelligent, about 5 Ft 6 In in height—rather stout in person: Said Henrietta Lancaster was of the age of Thirty three (33.) years or thereabouts, of a Black Complexion—though something Lighter than John—about 5 Ft. 6 in—in Height—tolerably stout and well formed—very likely smart and intelligent, erect in her carriage: Said James Lancaster was of the age of Sixteen (16.) years, or thereabouts, of a Black Complexion, though something Lighter, than John—about 5 Ft. high.–stout for his age, and erect in his carriage, very likely, and with a moderate degree of intelligence. He speaks rather slow: Said Eliza Lancaster was of the age of Fourteen (14.) years, or thereabouts.—of a Black complexion— though something Lighter than John—about 5 Ft 6 in Height, tolerably stout for her age and erect in her Carriage—very likely and possesses a moderate degree of intelligence—She speaks rather slow: Said Louis Napoleon Bonnaparte Lancaster—was of the age of six (6) years, or thereabouts,—of a Black complexion—though Something Lighter than John—about 4 Ft 6 in height—stout for his age and erect in his carriage—well formed. Sprightly. Smart. and intelligent.

Your Petitioner filed for Record a Schedule or Statement of the above mentioned persons on the 23d day of April A.D. 1862 in the Clerks Office of the District of Columbia as by reference will appear

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) That is to say: that the said Henry, Henrietta, James, Eliza, and Louis Napoleon were acquired by Inheritance, And that the said John, was purchased by your Petitioner of Dr J. B. Eastin of Charles County, Maryland (Nephew of your Petitioner.) about 18 or 20 years ago. That all of said persons have been in the family of your Petitioner from their infancy—and his claim to the aforesaid servants can be established beyond all question or dispute; That at the time your Petitioner acquired said John in manner aforesaid, He (John) was quite young—the consideration paid for him was, according to the best of his recollection and belief $1000 or $1200—And your Petitioner's particular object in buying him was to keep him in the family (being a family servant) and saved him from being carried to Georgia.

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 $12300 dollars in money.(3) as follows: Henry $3000. John. $3000. Henrietta $2000 James $1800. Eliza. $1500. & Louis Napoleon. $1000: Henry is an Engineer by trade and at the time of his discharge by the Act of Congress referred to, was hired out, and yielded $32 per month—and for some time prior to the said Act, averaged that same per month. John. is a Blacksmith by trade, and at the time of his discharge in manner aforesaid, was hired out, and yielded $39 per month.—and for some time prior to said set Act of Congress, averaged that same per month (the hire of both the above mentioned persons amounted to $852 per annum.) Henrietta is a very good cook and house help, another been hiring in the family of your Petitioner since she was a small girl—she is a very useful woman—and can command $9 or $10 per month, for her services at any time. James is a good waiter, and can command He has always been in the family of your Petitioner. Eliza is a good hand about a House, either as Cook, Chambermaid or Nurse—can command $5 per month with ease. Louis Napoleon, is very useful about a house either as Waiter or Messenger—is very smart and astute, and can command $2 or $3 per month readily. All of said Persons are sound and healthy—honest and industrious—of good morals generally—And your Petitioner avers that he has no knowledge of any moral, mental, or bodily infirmity or defect in said persons, or any of them, in the least calculated to affect or impair your Petitioner's claim.

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, or any of them into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons, above named were 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 persons above named 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.

And your Petitioner would add that he has raised said persons above named at considerable trouble, risk, labor, and expense (Signed by) that he has earnestly endeavoured to raise them properly: That your Petitioner has a large family, and at the time of the Act of Congress above referred to, the Hire of said persons was the chief—in truth the main support—of himself and family—they were worth at least $1200 per year to your Petitioner—which is the interest, or income of $20000 of 6 per cent per annum. Your Petitioner is now advanced in years. To wit: 59 yrs of age and is quite feeble.