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, Angelica Chew of George Town in District aforesaid 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 negro woman or person of African descent of the name of Sallie Coates for and during the life of said Sallie Coates and that by said act of Congress said 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 she was was of the age of thirty five years and of the personal description following:(1) she is of chestnut color, medium height, stout, and has been occupied as a cook usually, [and?] also at house work generally

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said person in manner following:;(2) namely, as part of her share of the Estate of her late husband Frisby F Chew deceased, whose residence was in he State of Mississippi at the time of his death, about 12 years ago. Upon the happening of the event your petitioner returned with her children to her father's, in George Town (the late Genl​ Geo. Biscoe) where she has ever since resided and the said negro woman with her. She had been given to her by her late father Genl.​ Biscoe.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said person was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of one thousand dollars in money.(3) She is a very healthy woman, and an excellent servant, and free from any moral, mental or bodily defect or infirmity; she has no knowledge of any such, and believes none such to exist. She has been occupied as cook, washer, ironer and seamstress.

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 person into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said person 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 person 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 person 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.