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, Emeline​ Sheriff of Washington County D.C., 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 certain Persons of colour​ person of African descent of the name of Harriet Watkins, James Allen, Ellen Norton, Benjamin Watkins, Martha Johnson Lewis Norton, & Chs. H. Norton for and during the life of said Harriet Watkins, James Allen, Ellen Norton, Benj. Watkins, Martha Johnson Lewis Norton, & Chs. H. Norton, and that by said act of Congress said Harriet Watkins, James Allen Ellen Norton, Benj. Watkins, Martha Johnson Lewis Norton & Chs. H. Norton 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 Harriet Watkins was of the age of seventy years and of the personal description following:(1) 5 ft. 8 in high, color dark brown, in good health & a first-class cook. James Allen age 50 years, son of Harriet Watkins, 5ft 8 in high, light-yellow colour​, a splendid farm hand & a no. 1 teamster & in fine health. Ellen Norton, daughter of Harriet Watkins, age 27 years, about 5 ft. 1 or 2 ins. high, colour​ dark chestnut, a first-class cook, washer & ironer, & in excellent health. Benj. Watkins, son of Harriet Watkins, age 25 years, 5 ft. 9 in high, dark brown colour​, & a fine farm hand, & in good health Martha Johnson, no parents living, 5 ft 6 or 7 in high dark brown colour​, age 19 years, a good house girl & in good health. Lewis Norton, son of Ellen Norton, age 9 years, height about 4 ft 1 or 2 in high, dark brown colour​, & in excellent health & very sprightly. Chs. H. Norton, son of Ellen Norton, age 7 years, height about 4 ft colour​ dark yellow & in good health & very sprightly

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Coloured​ Persons in manner following:(2) the said Emeline​ Sheriff obtained them by Will of her father, the late Levi Sheriff of Washington County, District of Columbia about seven years since. The aforesaid Will may be found on record at the City Hall Washington City D.C.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Coloured​ Persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of six thousand five hundred dollars in money.(3) The said Harriet Watkins, one hundred dollars, the said James Allen, one thousand dollars, the said Ellen Norton twelve hundred dollars, the said Benj Watkins, fifteen hundred dollars, the said Martha Johnson twelve hundred dollars, the said Lewis Norton six hundred dollars, the said Chs. H. Norton six hundred dollars. They all being as aforesaid invaluable servants & to the best of any knowledge & belief the said persons are free from all bodily, or moral, defects.

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 coloured​ Persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said coloured​ Persons were 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 coloured​ 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 Coloured​ 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.