Title: Petition of Alfred R. Edelin, 21 May 1862

Date: May 21,1862

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.00341

TEI/XML: cww.00341.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, Alfred R. Edelin of Washington City 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 Mary Loggins, Jane Loggins, Alice Mealy, and Margaret Loggins for and during the life of said Mary Loggins, Jane Loggins, Alice Mealy, and Margaret Loggins and that by said act of Congress said Mary Loggins, Jane Loggins, Alice Mealy, and Margaret Loggins 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 Mary Loggins, Jane Loggins, Alice Mealy, and Margaret Loggins was of the age of 35 years, 25 years about 62 years and 8 years, of age respectively and of the personal description following:(1) Mary Loggins copper colour​ about five feet five inches high Jane Loggins Black about five feet four inches high Alice Nealy Dark copper colour​ about five feet six inches high and Margaret Loggins Light copper colour​ about three feet four inches high
The above named slaves was discharged from service or labor by act of Congress approved April 16th 1862

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said slaves in manner following:(2) that on or about the 30th day of December 1850 William S. Edelin of Prince Georges County Maryland died and that your petitioner became the administrator upon the estate of said William S. Edelin and that Alice Mealy has been hired in this City about eight years. Mary Loggins and Margaret Loggins has been hired in this city about two years and Jane Loggins about one year

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said slaves was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of twenty four hundred dollars (2400) in money.(3) Mary Loggins hires with her child Margaret Loggins at five dollars $5 per month Jane Loggins for five dollars $5 per month and Alice Mealy for five dollars $5 per month. The above named slaves are as good in moral mental and bodily condition as your petitioner could wish them, all good looking and healthy. Mary E. Edelin and Jane Edelin are the only heirs of the above mentioned William J. Edelin they are both minors at this time

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 she has not brought said slaves into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said slaves 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said slaves 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said slaves 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.

(Signed by)
A. R. Edelin Mary E. Edelin
 

[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]

I, Alfred R. Edelin 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.

(Signed by)
A. R. Edelin Mary E. Edelin

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of May A.D. 1862 by A. R. Edelin

(Signed by)
H. G. Murray J.P.

Subscribed and sworn to by Mary E. Edelin this 5st August 1862.


Wm R Woodward clk
341
A. R. Edelin vs. The United States
Filed May 21, 1861
Summons
T Edward Clark
Chas H. Murray


 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.

Transcription and encoding: Susan C. Lawrence, Janel Cayer, Elizabeth Lorang, Brittany Jones, Rhiannon Root, and Robert Voss.