Title: Petition of Thomas H. Barron, 20 May 1862
Date: May 20, 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.00334
TEI/XML: cww.00334.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, Thomas H. Barron of Washington City 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 female persons of African descent of the names of Sarah Harrison, and Maria Cole for and during the life of said Sarah and Maria and that by said act of Congress said Sarah and Maria 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 Sarah and Maria were of the ages of sixty eight, and fifteen years respectively and of the personal description following:(1) Sarah Harrison, about sixty eight years of age; about five feet two inches high; dark color; stout built; and in as good health as is usual for one of her age. Maria Cole, fifteen years of age; about five feet three inches high, copper color; bushy head, stout built; robust, and in perfect health, and a good house servant. She was held to service here from her birth, but was temporarily absent in Prince George's County, Maryland at the time of the passage of the Emancipation Act, and returned soon after, of her own accord by the consent of your Petitioner; and she is now enjoying her freedom.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said two in manner following:(2) Sarah Harrison, by inheritance from his mother; and Maria Cole, by virtue of Marriage. He knows of no written evidence of title in existence.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Sarah and Maria was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of (see below) dollars in money.(3) Sarah Harrison, one hundred and fifty dollars, and he knows of no infirmities or defects except such as are incident to old age. Maria Cole, eight hundred dollars, and he knows of no infirmities or defects to impair her value.
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
Sarah and Maria
into
the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of
Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said
Sarah and Maria were
washeld 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 he said claim to the service or labor of said Sarah and Maria 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 Sarah and Maria 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.
Thomas H. Barron
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Thomas H. Barron 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.
Thomas H. Barron
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1862
Edm. F. Brown Notary Public
Thomas H. Barron
William T. Doniphan
Island
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.
