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, Ann L. Hamilton 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 three slaves (one man and two women person of African descent of the name of Nace Butler Margaret Tills Sarah Tills for and during the life of said Nace Butler Margaret Tills and Sarah Tills and that by said act of Congress said slaves 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 slaves women and man were of the ages of 42 (Nace Butler) 41 (Margaret Tills) and 20 years (Sarah Tills) and of the personal description following:(1)

• Nace Butter dark mullato​ color near six feet high thick set muscular of 42 years of age.
• Margaret Tills very dark color of spare frame, good natured countnance​ aged 41 about five feet six inchs​.
• Sarah Tills very dark color stout frame of good natured countnance​ about five feet five or six inchs​ aged 20 years
• also Henney Lee aged 18 years very dark color of good constitution and good countnance​ about five feet four or five inchs​

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said slaves man & women in manner following:(2) Nace Butter was bought by my deceased husband (including a family) from Mr. Maxwell of Charles Co M.d. Margaret Tills and Sarah Tills were always owned by my husband and all of these servants were left me by my husband thro​ his will recorded at Port Tobacco Charles Co Maryland.

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 $3300 dollars in money.(3)From the fact that Nace Butler is a most valuable carpenter and house and family servant of good health value $1500. Margaret Tills a good cook ironer and washer and honest value $800. Sarah Tills an excelent​ house servant cook ironer & washer young & strong & healthy, value $1000. And I know of no moral mental or phisical​ defect.

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 man & women into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said man & women 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 man & women 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 value of her said claim to the service or labor of said man & women 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.