Title: Petition of James C. Pickett, 13 June 1862
Date: June 13, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 3. 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.00296
TEI/XML: cww.00296.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, now at the City 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 four persons of African descent of the name of Fanny, Hannah, Lewellyn and George for and during the life of said Fanny, Hannah, Lewellyn and George, 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 Fanny was of the age of thirty four years and of the personal description following:(1) dark, but not very dark. Hannah, of the age of fourteen years, female and good looking, mulatto. Lewellyn, male, dark, 11 years old. George, male, mulatto—9 years old.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) The mother of Fanny and grandmother of her children was given to him by his father-in-law forty years ago in the State of Kentucky. Your petitioner paid no price or consideration for her; there was no written evidence of title nor was there any record of the gift. Since the year 1829, your petitioner has resided more than 27 years out of Kentucky, of which he was a citizen. His father in law has been dead more than 20 years, and he does not believe that he can produce any proof of ownership of said four persons other than long and undisturbed possession of them which he has proved.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said four persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 2,500 dollars in money.(3) —in the aggregate—separately, the value of Fanny was eight hundred dollars, of Hannah, nine hundred, of Lewellyn and George, four hundred each.—This is his opinion.—Fanny is a good cook and house servant and good looking. Such girls as Hannah when two or three years older have been sold in Virginia in high times for 1,500 dollars, though she would not have been for sale. As far as your petitioner knows and believes, said persons are free from any moral, mental, and bodily infirmities and defects which impair the value of your petitioner's claim to their service and labor and that he believes none to exist.
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 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.
J. C. Pickett
I, James C. Pickett, now at Washington City claiming the value of certain persons of African descent released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress "for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862, do hereby certify that the persons residents of Maysville, Kentucky, who have given affidavits respecting the question of my loyalty to the United States, are all gentlemen of the highest respectability:
- No 1. A. M. January is President of the Branch of the Bank of Kentucky at Maysville.
- 2. Th. J. Pickett is a highly respected citizen.
- 3. James Barbour is Cashier of the Bank of which Mr. January is president.
- 4. John Shackleford is a skillful physician and a man of the highest standing.
- Richard C. Ricketts (separate affidavit)—residence, Midway, Kentucky, is an able and respectable, Minister of the Gospel.
J. C. Pickett
Sworn and subscribed before me this 14th day of July AD 1862
N. Callan
a Justice of the Peace for the County of Washington DC
Feb. 5, 1861.
A.
I should have replied to your last letter sometime ago if I had had any thing to communicate that could have been of any interest to. But I have not had any thing—have nothing now. I might write about political matters and prospects, but of this you hear enough every day I doubt not. Kentucky is strong for the Union and in favor of any kind of fair and equitable compromise. And if the Old Dominion is of the same humor I do not think the Union is lost yet, though it will be a difficult matter to get back into the federal fold, the States that have so precipatately and so unwisely left it, as I think. What are your opinions and wishes? Are you for compromise or for disruption? For the first, I suppose and hope.
Write to me soon. Give me some news and gossip. How is Mrs. J. and the girls and the boys L & M S L & H. Give my best regards to her and to them.
How are Fanny and her children getting on?
J. C. Pickett
Miss Margaret A. Washington
Feb 06
KY
Washington City
I, Margaret A. Washington, of Washington City, in addition to the statement I made in the month of June last, respecting the claim of James C. Pickett for the value of four persons of African descent, who have been released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled, "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862, do now certify, that after Secession had been inaugurated in the South, I received a letter from said Pickett, dated Feb. 5, 1861 and written by him, in which he distinctly avows Union and loyal sentiments. The letter was dated at Midway Kentucky, is hereunto annexed marked A; and also the envelope marked B.
Margaret A Washington
Sworn and subscribed before me this 14th day of July AD 1862
N Callan seal
Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington DC
I Andrew M. January, residing at Maysville, Mason County, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett late of the State of Kentucky, and now at Washington City, prosecuting, as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent, released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled, "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862; And I further certify and have no doubt that the said James C. Pickett is a person loyal to the United States, and that he has borne true allegiance to the same, in the sense in which this term is used in the second section of the said act of Congress for the release of certain persons from service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16 1862—and of all the sections in it. This opinion is founded upon personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett, upon general reputation and from having heard him express his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States—never violently, but always decidedly.
A. M. January
Subscribed and sworn to before me—a Justice of the Peace for Mason County, Kentucky—this 4th day of July 1862.
L. B. Nicholson
Justice of the Peace for Mason County KY
I, Thomas J. Pickett, residing at Maysville, Mason County, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett, late of the State of Kentucky, and now at Washington City, prosecuting as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent, released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862; And I further certify and have no doubt that the said James C. Pickett, is a person loyal to the United States, and that he has borne true allegiance to the same, in the sense in which this term is used in the second section of the said act of Congress for the release of certain persons from service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16 1862,—and of all the sections in it. This opinion is founded upon personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett, upon general reputation, and from having heard him express his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States—never violently, but always decidedly.
T. J. Pickett
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of July A.D. 1862.
L. B. Nicholson
Justice of the Peace for Mason County KY
I James Barbour, residing at Maysville, Mason County, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett late of the State of Kentucky and now at Washington City, prosecuting, as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent, released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled, "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862; And I further certify and have no doubt that the said James C. Pickett is a person loyal to the United States, and that he has borne true allegiance to the same in the sense in which this term is used in the second section of the said act of Congress for the release of certain persons from service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16 1862,—and of all the sections in it. This opinion is founded upon personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett, upon general reputation and from having heard him express his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States—never violently but always decidedly.
James Barbour
Subscribed and sworn to before me a Justice of the Peace for Mason County, Kentucky, this 4th day of July 1862.
L. B. Nicholson
Justice of the Peace for Mason County KY
I Geo. W. Coons, residing at Maysville, Mason County, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett, late of the State of Kentucky, and now at Washington City, prosecuting, as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent, released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled; "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862; And I further certify and have no doubt that the said James C. Pickett is a person loyal to the United States, and has borne true allegiance to the same, in the sense in which this term is used in the second section of the said act of Congress for the release of certain persons from service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16 1862—and of all the sections in it. This opinion is founded upon personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett, upon general reputation, and from having heard him express his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States—never violently, but always decidedly.
Geo. W Coons
Subscribed and sworn to before me—a Justice of the Peace for Mason Co, Kentucky—this 4th day of July, A.D. 1862.
L. B. Nicholson
Justice of the Peace for Mason County KY
I Jno Shackleford, residing at Maysville, Mason County, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett late of the State of Kentucky, and now at Washington City, prosecuting—as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent, released from involuntary servitude by an act of Congress entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16" 1862; And I further certify and have no doubt that the said James C. Pickett is a person loyal to the United States, and that he has borne true allegiance to the same, in the sense in which this term is used in the second section of the said act of Congress for the release of certain persons from service or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16 1862—and of all the sections in it.
This opinion is founded upon personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett, upon general reputation, and from having heard him express frequently his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States—never violently, but always decidedly.
Jno. Shackleford
Subscribed and sworn to before me—a Justice of the Peace for Mason County, Kentucky—this 4th day of July 1862.
L. B. Nicholson
Justice of the Peace for Mason County KY
Mason County Sct:
I Robert A. Cochraw Clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that S. B. Nicholson Esqr before whom the foregoing and annexed affidavits of A. M. January, Thos J. Pickett, James Barbour, George W. Coon and John Shackleford have been sworn to and subscribed, is and was at the time of doing said acts, or acts, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected, Commissioned and sworn, that full faith and credit are due to his official acts and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court. Done at my office in Maysville this 4th day of July A. D. 1862
Robt A Cochraw Clerk
I, Richard C. Ricketts, residing at Midway, County of Woodford, and State of Kentucky, do certify that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett, late of the State of Kentucky, and now at Washington City, prosecuting, as I have heard, claims for the value of certain persons of African descent released from involuntary servitude, by an act of Congress, entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service, or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862: And I further certify, and have no doubt, that the said James C. Pickett is a person loyal to the United States, and that he has borne true allegiance to the same, in the sense in which this term is used, in the second section of the said act of Congress, for the release of certain persons from service, or labor in the District of Columbia, approved April 16th 1862, and of all the sections in it. This opinion is founded upon the personal intercourse I have had with said Pickett from general reputation, and from having heard him frequently express his disapprobation of the measure of Secession adopted by the Southern States, never violently, but always decidedly.
R C Ricketts
Sworn to, and subscribed before me this 5th day of July, A. D. 1862.
A. J. Roberts J. P. W. C
County of Woodford Sct:
I Herman Birman Jr. Clerk of the County Court for said County, to certify that A. J. Roberts, whose genuine signature appears to the within affidavit and before whom said affidavit was made, is now and was at the time he signed the same a Justice of the Peace for said County (residing in the Town of Midway) duly Commissioned and qualified as such: and that to his offical acts full faith & credit are due.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal, the 5th day of July A. D. 1862. And in the Seventieth year of the Commonwealth.
Herman Birman Jr. [illegible]
By Jos. M. Birman D. C.
I, Margaret A. Washington, of Washington City, D. C. do hereby certify that it is within my personal knowledge that Fanny, a woman of African descent for whose value, and also the value of her three children James C. Pickett has filed a petition with the Commissioners appointed under the act of Congress entitled "an act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved April 16th 1862, has lived with my sister Mrs. Mary W. Johnson in the City of Washington more than twenty four years; and that Fanny's three children were all born in her house and have there lived.—In my judgment Fanny and her children were of the value in money, at the time of their discharge from service or labor, 2,500 dollars in the aggregate—separately—Fanny, eight hundred dollars, Hannah nine hundred dollars, Lewellyn and George four hundred dollars each. This is my opinion.
I am well acquainted with said Pickett and believe him to be without doubt, "loyal to the United States," in the sense in which these words are used in said act of Congress, approved April 16th 1862.
Witness my hand this 11th of June 1862.—The name "James C. Pickett" inserted between lines three and four from the top before signing.
Margaret A. Washington
Sworn and subscribed before me this twelfth day of June AD 1862
N Callan JP seal
I, Mary W. Johnson of Washington City, D. C. do hereby declare that, the woman Fanny of African descent for whose value James C. Pickett has filed his petition with the Commissioners appointed under the act of Congress entitled "an act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," approved the 16th of April 1862, has resided with me continuously more than twenty four years, and that her three children whose value the said Pickett also claims, were born in my house where they have always lived. Said Pickett exercised ownership over these four persons—appeared to be the owner and sole owner of them, and was so considered to be; I never heard of an adverse claim or claimant. In my judgment the value of Fanny and her three children, Hannah, Lewellyn and George, in money, at the time of their discharge, would be,—for Fanny, eight hundred dollars, for Hannah nine hundred dollars, for Lewellyn four hundred dollars, for George, four hundred dollars—in the aggregate, twenty five hundred dollars. This is my opinion.
I am well acquainted with Said Pickett and believe him to be without doubt, "loyal to the United States," in the sense in which these words are used in said act of Congress, approved April 16th 1862.—Witness my hand this 10th day of June 1862.
M. W. Johnson
Sworn and subscribed before me this twelfth day of June AD 1862
N Callan JP seal
I, Thomas E. Pickett, of Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, do hereby certify that I am 21 years of age, and that I am well acquainted with James C. Pickett who is claiming before the Commissioners appointed under the act of Congress entitled "an act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor within District of Columbia" approved April 16th 1862, compensation for the release of four persons of African descent, which he states that he held in the City of Washington, at the time said act was passed. I certify further that from my personal knowledge of said Pickett, I do not hesitate to delcare him to be "loyal to the United States" in the sense in which these words are employed in said Act of Congress, approved April 16th 1862,—Witness my hand this 10th day of June 1862.
Thomas E. Pickett.
Subscribed and Sworn to Before me this 10th day of June 1862
Thomas C. Donn
Justice of the Peace for Washington County District of Columbia
June 28 1862
Case No 296.
To the Honorable Commissioners appointed by the President of the United States to carry into effect the act of Congress entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia" approved April 16th 1862
Your petitioner James C. Pickett respectfully represents that he has claimed pursuant to said act the value of four persons viz Fanny, Hannah, Lewellyn and George; Fanny being the mother of the other three; that said Fanny upon her examination before your Hon. Board a week or two since, said that the said boy Lewellyn was to a certain degree "unhealthy", and said statement it may be conduced to the price to which said boys services were appraised was no higher than that of the younger boy George. Your petitioner stated in his original petition herein that said persons were ordinarily healthy, or something to that effect which he still believes to be true. Your petitioner had seen but little of Lewellyn since his birth, and nothing of him for the three years and about ten months ending on the 30th of May last, and all that he has seen or heard justified him he thought in making the statement respecting his (Lewellyns) health, to be found in his first petition.
J. C. Pickett
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of June AD 1862
N Callan JP seal
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, James C. Pickett 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.
J. C. Pickett
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of June A. D. 1862.
Thomas C. Donn
Justice of the Peace for Washington County Dictrict of Columbia
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.
