Title: Petition of Henry Martin, 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.00191
TEI/XML: cww.00191.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, Henry Martin of Washington Co. 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 Two persons of African descent of the names of Charlotte Rendler, Henry Fletcher, 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 Charlotte Rendler was of the age of Thirty Five years and of the personal description following:(1) A Copper color woman named Charlotte Rendler, Five feet Two inches high. One decayed tooth in front (valued at $800)
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons— in manner following:(2) said persons together with one other (since ran away) I bought from Betsy Walker, nineteen years ago as by Bill of sale herewith filed will appear.
The agreement was that I was to pay Mrs. Walker Ten dollars per month during her life which amounted I think to about One thousand dollars
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 Twenty three hundred dollars in money.(3) said Charlotte & Henry are good and faithful servants. I would not like to part with them.
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.
Henry Martin
To
Henry Martin
For and in consideration of Henry Martins having conveyed to me by a Bill of Sale having [illegible] herewith a negro Boy named Douglass about nine years of age, thereby relinquish all right with claim and interest both at Law and in Equity of in and to all the Negroes belonging to Elizth Walker prior to the Bill of Sale to said H. Martin and the hire due for the services of said negroes which I have any right title or claim to directly or indirectly; to the date of this [assignment?] And I [illegible] to [illegible] the slaves within named (except the Boy Douglass this day [conveyed?] to me) to the said Henry Martin as a final settlement of all matters between Elzth Walker & myself Jany 20th 1843.—
Ignatius W Atchison
In presence of
Abraham Turner
Know all men by these presents, that I, Elizabeth Walker, of Prince Georges County Maryland—for divers good causes and considerations one thereunto moving, and also the sum of Five dollars Current money, to me in hand paid by Henry Martin of the County of Washington D. C. the receipts whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained sold and delivered, and by these presents do grant bargain, sell and deliver unto the said Henry Martin my four negroes to wit: Charlotte—Benjamin—Henry and Douglass, which said slaves I will warrant and defend to the said Henry Martin his Executors administrators and assigns—against me, my executors and administrators—In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal this 18th day of January A. D. 1843.
her X mark Elizabeth Walker seal
In presence of
Abraham Turner
X Mary Ann Walker
Witnesses
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Henry Martin, 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.
Henry Martin
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of May A. D. 1862.
Chas. Walter J. P. seal
Henry Martin
Dr. J. C. Fairfax
Thomas Brown
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.
