Title: Petition of Susan Cruit, 23 May 1862
Date: May 23, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 4. 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.00412
TEI/XML: cww.00412.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,
Susan J Cruit of Washington D.C.
executrix of the late Robt
Cruit, late of Washington
by this he 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 the following
named persons of African descent of the
names of
James. Isaiah. Humphrey
Alfred. Priscilla. for and during
the life of said persons and that by said act of
Congress said persons were
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
James was 55 years old, Isaiah
was of the age of thirty two
Humphrey was
and of the personal description following:(1)
twenty and a half years of age and
Priscilla was nine years and three months old and
of the personal description following. That is to say—
- James is a black complexion. about six feet high.
- Isaiah Jones is a bright mulatto about five feet five inches high.
- Humphrey Alfred Docket is of a black complexion about five feet six inches high.
- Priscilla Willis is of a black complexion about three feet two inches.
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) That is to say
- James was bought from the late Mr Alexander of Georgetown in 1850, by her late father, the said Robt Cruit.
- Isaiah was bought from the late Mr Henry Cramphine in 1838 by her late father. the bill of sale is hereunto annexed.
- Humphrey was born of a woman named Betsey Docket who was purchased by her late father from a negro pen. Her master was a Mr Calvert of Maryland.
- Priscilla was bought by your petitioner from a Dr. Staurow of Washington D.C. in the year 1859.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 2,700 dollars in money.(3) That is to say James is valued at $100. Isaiah at $1200 Humphrey at $900. and Priscilla at $500.
- James is a good farm hand & very faithful.
- Isaiah is a stout and hearty farm hand and teamster.
- Humphrey is also a good farm hand and very useful in consequence of his mechanical genius.
- Priscilla is a very useful house Servant
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 persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons 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 persons 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 persons 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.
Susan J. Cruit Executrix
Know all men by these presents that I; J. Henry Cramphin of Chester county in the state of Pensylvania, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars current money to me in hand paid by Robert Cruit; of the District of Columbia, at and before the sealing and delivery hereof, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said Robert Cruit his Executors, administrations and assigns the following slave to Wit: Isaiah aged eight years To have and to hold the said described property above bargained and sold to the said Robert Cruit, his executors, administrators and assigns forever to his and their only proper use and benefit; and I; J Henry Cramphin shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents to the said Robert Cruit his Executors, administrators and assigns the said described property against me, my Executors and administrations and against all and every other person or persons whomsoever claiming the same or any part thereof under, by or through me. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of march in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
J. Henry Cramphin Seal
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of
Clement Morte
R. W. Fenwick
On this twenty seventh day of march in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight, before me one of the justices in and for said county, appears J Henry Cramphin and acknowledges the foregoing writing or bill of sale to the act and deed according to the intent and meaning thereof and the acts in such case made and provided. Acknowledged before and certified by
Clement Morte J.P.
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Susan J CruitExecutrix 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.
Susan J Cruit
Executrix
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22 day of May A. D. 1862.
N. Callan JP Seal
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.
