Title: Petition of Mary Ann Hall, 7 May 1862
Date: May 7, 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.00181
TEI/XML: cww.00181.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, Mary A. Hall of Washington DC 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 Four person of African descent of the name of Rosanna Gordon, Wm Gordon, Alexa Gordon and Caroline Lucas for and during the life of said slaves and that by said act of Congress
said slaves 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 slaves of the age of
They were and of the personal description following:(1)
- Rosanna Gordon—aged 24 yrs—Female Chestnut color—height 5 feet
- Wm Gordon child of Rosanna—aged 8 yrs—Color Mulatto—Male—
- Alexa Gordon—Child of Rosanna—aged 4 years—Color Mulatto—
- Caroline Lucas—Aged 23 years Female Color Chestnut
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said slaves in manner following:(2) On the 9th Jany 1846 petitioner purchased Rosannah Gordon of [Jas?] P Gannon or Caroline Cox through Kelly Lamble, and paid for her $359.81/100 said Rosannah was then about 3 years of age The two children Wm and Alexa were born of Rosannah subsequent to purchase, and your petitioner purchased Caroline Lucas Feby 15th 1844 of J. P. Gannon through K. N. Lamball and paid $275.00. then 5 yrs of age. For evidence of title see receipts attached or Bill of Sale
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said slaves was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Three thousand dollars in money.(3) Your petitioner knows of no moral mental or bodily infirmity existing in said slaves —she believes that a proper time they would have sold for the following [sums?]—viz
- Rosanna $1.200.00
- Wm 500
- Alexa 300
- Caroline 1.000.
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 slaves into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said slaves 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 slaves 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 slaves 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.
Mary A Hall
K H Lambell
Cornelius Cox
RECEIVED of K H Lambell two hundred & seventy f[—?] Dollars, being in full for the purchase of Negro Slave named Caroline the right and title of said Slave Iwarrant and defend against the claims of all persons whatsoever, and likewise warrant her sound and healthy.
As witness my hand and seal.
Jos., P. Gannon SEAL.
I Transfer the within bill of sale To Mary Ann Hall
K H Lambell
RECEIVED of Cornelius Cox three hundred & fifty nine 81 Cent Dollars, being in full for the purchase of Negro Slave named Rosannah the right and title of said Slave I warrant and defend against the claims of all persons whatsoever, and likewise warrant her sound and healthy.
As witness my hand and seal
Jos., P. Gannon SEAL.
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Mary A. Hall 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.
Mary A Hall
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of May A. D. 1862.
D. Rowland J. P.
Petition of
Mary Ann Hall
Kelly H. Lamble
Patrick Fleming
Zekiel Young.
By
Thos. E. Lloyd
Attorney.
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.
