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, Selby B. Scaggs of Washington County 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 Thirteen person of African descent of the name of Ailsey Steward, David Steward John Steward, Albert Steward, Lucy Steward or Scaggs Edward Steward, Maria Gross, Laura Gross, Margaret Gross Amanda F. Calvert, Rachel Jacks, Dennis Lowe Sarah Hues. for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said Persons of African descent 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 persons were of the age of 75. 45. 20. 15. 7. 6. 35. 4. 2. 19. 17. 35. 25. years respectively and of the personal description following:(1)

• Ailsey Steward. age 75 years Color Black. about 5 Ft high healthy. good nurse—
• Man David Steward. Son of Ailsey. age 45 years color Black about 5 Ft 7 In high. healthy. first class. Garden and Farm hand.—
• Man John Steward son of David Steward age 20 years. Color Black about 5 Feet 8 In high. healthy. good Garden and farm hand. Build medium
• Boy Albert Steward. Son of David, age 15 years color, black about 5 Feet high healthy, and very sprightly—good carriage driver—
• Girl Lucy Steward or Scaggs age 7 years—well grown color dark Brown, healthy and very sprightly—
• Boy Edward Steward, age 6 years, color dark Brown, not very healthy
• Woman Maria Gross, age 35 years. Color light Brown about 5 Ft 8 In high Stout Built, very Strong and healthy. a good garden and field hand
• Girl Laura Gross, age 4 years Color light Brown, sprightly and healthy
• Girl Margaret Gross age 2 years color light Brown, sprightly and healthy
• Girl Amanda F. Calvert, age 19 years color dark Brown, about 5 Ft 4 In high Build Stout, healthy, and first class House Servant
• Girl Rachel Jacks age 7 years color dark Brown, about 5 Ft 6 in high Build medium, healthy, likely and good House, and garden hand
• Man Dennis Lowe color Black, age 35 years, both leggs​ off just below the knee very healthy, good ox cart driver and garden hand—
• Woman Sarah Hues, age 25 years afflicted with insanity, and fits

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Persons in manner following:(2) To Ailsey Steward, purchased by me, from my sister Rebecca Lloyd about 4 years ago. David Steward, the son of Ailsey Steward by will of my Father James Scaggs of Prince Georges, Co. Md,. John Steward. Albert Steward. Lucy Steward or Scaggs. Edward Steward. Children of David Steward. were born in my possession. Maria Gross and infant Laura were purchased by me of Isaac Scaggs. My brother of Prince Geo. Co. Maryland. Margaret Gross— the daughter of Maria Gross, born in my possession. Amanda F. Calvert by purchase from the Estate of Nathaniel Brady. by order of Orphans' Court of Prince Georges County Maryland, Rachel Jacks, born in my possession. Dennis Lowe by purchase about five years ago. of Henry Hillary of Prince Georges County Maryland Sarah Hues, purchased from the Estate of Nathaniel Brady

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 nine thousand two hundred twenty five dollars in money.(3)

Woman.	Ailsey Steward	value in Money	$50.00
Man.	David Steward	value in money	1000.00
Man	Dennis Lowe	value in money	125.00
Man	John Steward	value in money	1500.00
Boy.	Albert Steward	value	1200.00
Girl	Lucy Steward, or Scaggs—	value	500.00
Boy	Edward Steward	value	400—
Wo​	Mariah Gross	value in money	1200—
Girl	Laura Gross.	value in money	250
Girl	Margaret Gross	value in money	200
Young woman	Amanda F. Calvert	value in money	1400
Girl	Rachel Jacks	value in money	1400
				9225.00

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 of African descent 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 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 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.