Civil War Washington

Petition

To the Commissioners under the Act of Congress approved the 16th April 1862. Entitled "an Act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia"

Your Petitioners, Hannah McCormick , Sophia , Harriet P Mary E & Margaret McCormick , of Washington, in the District of Columbia, by this their Petition in writing, represent and state they are persons 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. That is, the said Hannah McCormick , separately & [distinct?], against Rachel Contee , and the said Sophia & Harriet McCormick , against Susan Contee , and the said Hannah, Sophia, Harriet Mary E & Margaret McCormick against Harriet Cox &— Abraham Cox , her son, jointly—for & during the lives of the said Rachel Contee, Susan Contee, Harriet & Abraham Cox, and that by said Act of Congress said Rachel & Susan Contee Harriet & Abraham Cox, were discharged of & freed of & from all claim of your Petitioners to such service or labor: that at the time of said discharge said Rachel Contee was of the age of Thirty Seven Years or thereabouts, about Feet 4. Inches 1. in height—In color a Mulatto— Harriet Cox was of the age of Fifty-Eight Years about Feet 5 in height. [Black?] Abraham Cox was of the age of Seventeen Years or thereabouts—Color Black—& about Feet 5 I​ 4 in height—& Susan Contee light mulatto was of the age of Thirty one or thereabouts, & Feet 5— I​ 6, in height—That your Petitioners acquired their claim to to​   the aforesaid Service or labor of said named Persons in manner following: These Servants belonged to the Estate of the late Revd​ A T McCormick, & at his death were divided amongst his heirs. His Widow Mrs. Hannah McCormick took Rachel Contee, Sophia & Harriet McCormick took Susan Contee, & the Mother of Susan & Abraham Cox, Harriet Cox, & her said son Abraham were held as joint property among said heirs

That your Petitioners' claim to the service or labor of the said four named Persons was at the time of his said discharge therefrom of the value of $400 for Rachel Contee —She is a valuable Servant, is naturally of a strong, healthy constitution, but lately has had attacks of rheumatism— Harriet Cox —your Petitioners consider as worth $200—She was allowed the privilege of purchasing herself, but she has paid a very small portion in work amounting to no more than her regular wages. Susan Contee your Petitioners value at $500—Her owners, the Misses Sophia & Harriet McCormick gave her the same privilege of self purchase as in Harriet Cox's case, but she, like Harriet Cox, has not been able to pay more than her regular wages. She is a very valuable Servant, & earned Seven Dollars wages per month. She has no disease that your Petitioners are aware of— Abraham Cox your Petitioners value at $500—He always remained with his mother to assist her, & your Petitioners, his late owners, have never had any Service from him—Susan Contee is not very robust in constitution—   And your Petitioners know of no other infirmities or defects of said Persons which impair the value of Petitioners' claim to such service or labor, & that they believe none other to exist.

Your Petitioners hereby declare that they bear true & faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, & that they have not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your Petitioners further state & allege, that they have not brought said named Four Persons into the District of Columbia, since the passage of said Act of Congress; & that at the time of the passage thereof said named & enumerated Persons were held to service or labor therein under & by virtue of your Petitioners Claim to such service or labor—

Your Petitioners further state & allege, that their said claim to the service of the said Four named 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 pray the said Commissioners to investigate & determine the Validity of their said claim to the service or labor of said named Persons, herein above set forth: & if the same be found to be valid, that they appraise & apportion the value of said Claim in money, & report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in Conformity to the provisions of said act of Congress.