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, Emma Biscoe of George Town in the 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 one negro or person of African descent of the name of Paralee Dockett for and during the life of said term of three years from April 1862 and that by said act of Congress said person 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 person was of the age of twenty one years and of the personal description following:;(1) to wit of light chestnut color, of medium height, and has been occupied as a house servant.

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said person in manner following:(2) She was given to your Petitioner by her aunt Rebecca Hopewell of St. County, Maryland deceased, by her Will recorded at Leonard Town in said County, for the term of twenty years, of which seventeen have since expired. She has been constantly in her possession.

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 hundred fifty dollars in money.(3) The said negress, or woman, Paralee Dockett, is a healthy, well-behaved, orderly servant, free from any moral, mental or bodily defect or infirmity, and is a good house servant. She would have procured Petitioner, if her hired had been received, fifty dollars a year clear of all expenses.

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.