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 Petitioners, Ann Maria Biscoe and Emma Biscoe of of George Town in said District by this their petition in writing, represents and states, that they are is apersons 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 six negroes or persons of African descent of the names of Mary Ayres​, Caroline Jenifer, Charlotte Jenifer, Richard Jenifer, Louisa Jenifer and Nunah Jenifer for and during the life lives of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons were discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioners to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said persons were of the ages of and of the personal description following:(1) to wit: said Mary Ayers is about fifty two years, of chestnut color, medium height, and has hired out as a cook, washer and ironer; Caroline Jenifer is her daughter, about thirty two years of age, light brown color, and has been occupied as a house servant; the four others are the children of Caroline, named, Charlotte Jenifer, light brown, ten years of age; Richd. Jenifer, light brown, eight years of age; Louisa Jenifer, light brown, five years of age; and Nunah Jenifer, chestnut, also five years old, twin sister with the last

 

That your petitioners acquired their said claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) viz: Mary Ayers came to your petitioner, Ann M. Biscoe, many years ago, from her late father James Hopewell of St. Mary's County, Maryland, deceased, on the distribution of his estate; Caroline Jenifer is her daughter, and she and her four children (the others named in sd.​ petition) were born in the family of petitioner, and have been brought up and instructed by her. On the death of her husband Genl​ George Biscoe late of George Town aforesaid, he devised said six negroes to your petitioner Ann M. Biscoe, in trust for the sole and separate use absolutely of your other petitioner Emma Biscoe his daughter, as by said Will dated 19th July 1859, and recorded in the Orphans' Court of said District may appear. The said six negroes have always been in the possession and under the control of the family—of said Genl​ Biscoe during his life and of your petitioner Ann M. Biscoe since his death, up to the approval of said act, under his said will

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 Three thousand dollars in money.(3) viz; said Mary Ayers, who is a good cook, washer and ironer, $600; said Caroline Jenifer, an experienced house-servant, $1000; Charlotte, 10 years old, $400:—Richard, $400:—; Louisa, $300— & Nunah, $300:—They are all healthy; Mary and Caroline, are well-behaved and good servants, experienced in their respective occupations. They and the four children are free from any defect or infirmity, mental or bodily; she knows of none, and believes none to exist.

Your petitioners hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they have has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioners further states and alleges, that they have 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 were was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioners further states and alleges, that their 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 petitioners prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of their 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.