Title: Petition of Fielder Magruder, 13 May 1862
Date: May 13, 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.00190
TEI/XML: cww.00190.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, Fielder Magruder 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 persons of African descent of the names of George York, Duke Williams Adeline Williams, Lewis Williams, Charles Williams, Maria Williams for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons 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 George York was of the age of forty seven years and of the personal description following:(1)
- Very black, five feet eleven inches high, scar under the eye (valued at $500)
- said Duke Williams, was of the age of forty years A dark yellow man, five feet eight inches high (valued $1100)
- said Adeline Williams was of the age of thirty five years, A Bright Mulatto woman five feet five feet three inches high (valued at $1000)
- said Lewis Williams was of the age of eight years & dark mulatto boy four feet eight inches high (valued at $500)
- Charles Williams was of the age of six years A dark mulatto Boy four feet two inches high (valued at $400)
- Maria Williams was of the age of three years A dark mulatto girl, three feet six inches high (valued at $200)
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said persons in
manner following:(2)
George York I bought from John
Schooler about four years of age for $500 as by reference
to Bill of sale herewith filed will appear.Duke
Williams, Adeline Williams,
Lewis Williams & Charles
Williams, I bought from John
Throckmorton about six years ago for $2500 as by his
receipt herewith filed will appear.
Maria Williams was born of
Adeline since I purchased her.
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 thirty seven hundred dollars in money.(3) All of said servants have always been good faithful and industrious, they are perfectly sound and healthy.
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 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 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.
F. Magruder
And your petitioner further states that he is a resident of the District of Columbia.
George York has been in the District since June last (1861) Duke Williams, Adeline Williams, Lewis Williams Charles Williams and Maria Williams are out of the district temporary. I sent them to my farm in Fairfax County Va A short time before the Bill was passed to attend to domestic business intending to bring them back again.
I spoke to Hon Wm Van Horn about it a short time after the Bill passed the Senate he told me I could bring them in any time within nine months else I should have brought them in immediately.
Received Washington District of Columbia June 19th 1858 from Fielder Magruder Esq. Five Hundred Dollars for slave man George York and I warrant said slave man to be sound and healthy and slave for life and the title to him I hereby covenant to defend to the said Fielder Magruder and his heirs forever witness my hand and seal.
John Schoberg seal
Witnessed by
G. S. Mines
October 1st 1856
Received of Fielder Magruder two thousand and twenty five dollars in full for slaves Duke Adaline and her two children all of which I warrant slaves for life.
John A. Throckmorton
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Fielder Magruder 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.
F. Magruder
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of May A. D. 1862.
F. I. Murphey J.P.
Petition of Fielder Magruder
Woodford Stone
Saml C. Magruder
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.
