Title: Petition of Margaret A. Renshaw, 22 May 1862
Date: May 22, 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.00382
TEI/XML: cww.00382.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, Margaret A. Renshaw of Washt D.C. by this her petition in writing, represents and states, that she 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 slave woman by the name of Mary Pipes person of African descent of the name of Mary Pipes for and during the life of said Mary Pipes and that by said act of Congress said slave woman 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 slave woman was of the age of Twenty four years and of the personal description following:(1) Mary Pipes of very black complexion projecting of teeth & gums about five feet five inches high
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Mary Pipes in manner following:(2) by bill of sale from her father James Duhamel which bill of sale is here affixed
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said slave woman was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of $900 dollars in money.(3)From the fact she is a most excelent house servant cook washer and ironer marketer and of an amiable obediant temper and unmarried
Your petitioner hereby declares that she bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that she 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 slave woman into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said slave woman 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said Mary Pipes 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said Mary Pipes 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.
Margaret A Renshaw
Know all men by these presents that I James Duhamel of Baltimore City State of Maryland for the sum of Three Hundred Dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof I do acknowledge I have granted bargained and sold and delivered and by these presents do grant bargin and sell and deliver unto Margaret A Renshaw my servant woman Mary a slave to her and her heirs and assigns In witness wherof, I have unto set my name and affix my seal This first day of February 1862
J. D Moulton
James Duhamel Seal
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Margaret A. Renshaw 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.
Margaret A Renshaw
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22d day of May A. D. 1862.
Wm R. Woodwoard clk.
W. J. C. Duhamel
Henrietta J. Kennedy
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.
