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, 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.