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, Stephen P. Franklin of Washington City by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that he 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 Washington Clements, Lucinda Taylor, Maria Parker, Lucy Brooks and Alfred Clarke persons of African descent of the name of Washington Clements Lucinda Taylor, Maria Parker Lucy Brooks & Alfred Clarke (absconded)— for and during the life ves of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons have been discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Washington Clements was of the age of twenty eight years. Lucinda Taylor was of the age of thirty years. Maria Parker was of the age of thirty five years, Lucy Brooks of the age of sixty years and Alfred Clarke of age of thirty-five years. and of the personal description following:(1)

• 1 Washington Clements negro man married short in stature, strong and very light in color.
• 2 Lucinda Taylor tolerably light in color short in stature and unmarried stout and strong.
• 3 Maria Parker unmarried woman tolerably light in color, medium height strong and stout.
• 4 Lucy Brooks woman aged about sixty tolerably light in color.
• 5 Alfred Clarke medium height strong tolerably light in color—thirty five years of age—stout and able bodied—absconded—

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Persons in manner following:(2)

• Washington Clements purchased from John Davis of Washington City.
• Lucinda Taylor purchased from James H. Burcke.
• Maria Parker purchased from Estate of Philip Eucris.
• Lucy Brooks purchased in auction sale.
• Alfred Clarke purchased from Miss Sarah Forrest.

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 $3700 dollars in money.(3)

• 1 Washington Clements is estimated to be worth $1200
• 2 Lucinda Taylor is estimated to be worth $1000 and to petitioner is invaluable.
• 3 Maria Parker is estimated to be worth $1000 and to petitioner is invaluable.
• 4 Lucy Brooks is estimated to be worth $300
• 5 Alfred Clarke (absconded) is estimated to be worth $1200.

The petitioner has no knowledge of mental or bodily infirmity in any of above persons

Your petitioner hereby declares that he bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that he 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 he 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 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 his 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 petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of his 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.