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, Robert C. Brooke of Washington 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 the following persons of African descent of the name of Sandy Diggs—Mary Diggs his wife. Sandy Diggs alias Sandy Ryan, Maria Diggs alias Maria Ryan, Son and daughter of said Mary Diggs—and Luke Gilbert for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons 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 Sandy Diggs was of the age of thirty six years and of the personal description following:(1) five feet and Six inches high very black, a little lame in the left foot, has had only one eye from the age of three or four years—occupation house servant, is very smart, active, intelligent and honest.

• 2d Mary Diggs, (his wife) forty-five years of age—five feet Six inches high, by occupation house servants, has been a Servant in my family the last fifteen years—
• 3. Sandy Diggs, alias Sandy Ryan, Son of said Mary Diggs age eighteen years—five feet eight inches high—very bright mullato​. Strong healthy, robust and intelligent boy is considered an excellent house servant.
• 4. Maria Diggs alias Maria Ryan, daughter of said Mary Diggs—age twenty years, five feet for​ or five inches high very bright mullato​ girl, is a very smart active woman occupation Seamstress, house-servant or nurse. Your petitioner would respectfully state that said Maria was hired out to one Smith Humphrey of Washington County in the state of Maryland for a term of years before and after times of the passage of said act of Congress and that said Maria Since the passage and approval of said act came with her own voluntary accord, without the consent either directly or indirectly of your petitioner into the District of Columbia.
• 5th Luke Gilbert—very black—five feet, eight inches high very smart active and intelligent man—age forty five years—very healthy and robust—occupation a gardener or farmer.

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) Sandy Diggs, was purchased by your petitioner at the public Sale or auction of the estate of late Walter Z Berry of Prince George County Maryland twenty-Six years ago—Bill of sale lost—

1st That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Sandy Diggs was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of one thousand dollars in money.(3) Your petitioner further says and alleges that said Sandy Diggs did bring or realize to your petitioner the sum of two hundred Dollars a year. Your petitioner considered and does consider him a very valuable man.

• 2d Mary Diggs at the time of said discharge therefrom was of the value of one thousand dollars. Said Mary has been a cook and house servant in your petitioners family for the last fifteen years.
• 3 Sandy Diggs alias Ryan, was at the time of said discharge of the value of fifteen hundred Dollars, the said Sandy has earned and brought unto your petitioner the sum of Sixty Dollars a year clear profit since said Sandy was at the age of ten years
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• 4. Maria Diggs alias Maria Ryan—was at the time of said discharge of the value of fifteen hundred dollars. The said Maria has brought and realized unto your petitioner the sum of Seventy two dollars a year—She has never cost your petitioner one cent for clothing or Doctors bills or medicines and your petitioner further alleges that he has not brought said Maria into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act pf Congress, and that, at the time of the passage of said act, She was held to service or labor in the County of Montgomery in the state of Maryland.
• 5th. Luke Gilbert, was at the time of said discharge therefrom of the value of twelve hundred Dollars in money—

 

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 he 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., except Maria Diggs alias Maria Ryan—who was held to service or labor in Montgomery County in the State of Maryland

Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his 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 his 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.