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, James S. Harvey 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 three persons of African descent of the names of Ann Taylor, Eliza Taylor Moses Carter for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons were was 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 wasof the ages of [no handwritten text supplied here] and of the personal description following:(1)

• Ann Taylor, female, about thirty five years of age five feet six inches high color dark brown
• Eliza Taylor, female aged thirteen years—four feet nine inches high—color dark brown
• Moses Carter male aged twenty years—five feet six inches high—color dark brown

Note—no Peculiar marks remembered about either of them

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) He acquired Ann Taylor by the amicable division of his late father (Thomas Harvey's) Estate who died without making a will in Prince George County Md in the year 1846 Eliza Taylor is the daughter of said Ann and born since I became in possession of her mother. Moses Carter was obtained by me through the exchange for slaves given to my wife by her Grandfather since I became married

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 eighteen hundred dollars in money.(3)

• Ann Taylor worth $500—it being the value appraised for my proportion of my father's Estate—She is healthy, active and industrious
• Eliza Taylor worth $300—she is active healthy and able bodied
• Moses Carter—worth $1000—he is remarkably stout, healthy well disposed and affectionate

Neither of the above persons have any infirmities or defects either mentally, morally or bodily—to the best of your petitioner's knowledge & belief

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 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.