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, Joseph Bryan Trustee for Louisa Bryan of Washington City DC 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 a person of African descent of the name of Delia together with her two male children aged respectively Robert about four years and John (18, Eighteen months old for and during the life of said Delia Robert an​ John and that by said act of Congress said Delia Robert an​ John 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 Delia was of the age of 25, Twenty-five years and of the personal description following:(1) The said Delia being of dark Colour four feet and eleven inches high, stout and well built and sound and healthy is a good cook washer and Ironer honest and reliable house servant—Robert at the time of his discharge was of the age of (4) four years is a mulatto and slim and healthy; and John, was of the age of Eighteen months is about the same colour and sound and healthy

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Delia and Robert in manner following:(2) By Bill of Sale from James S Holland Executor of Ann Holland deceased of the City of Anapolis County of Ann Arundel State of Maryland dated the 19th day of May 1859 when the said Delia was of the age of Twenty Two Years, and John was born since said claim to Delia was acquired

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Delia together with her two children was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Twelve hundred dollars in money.(3)Your petitioner avers that the said Delia by reason of her honesty intelligence industry and other good qualities was very valuable as a house servant I now give said Delia Eight dollars a month as hire for her services and board, her and her two children, and she has no mental or bodily infirmities or defects which would impair her value and was offered Twelve hundred dollars for her before her last child John was born

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 Delia Robert, and John into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Delia Robert and John 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 Delia Robert & John 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 Delia Robert and John 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.