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, Lucy E. Mattingly of Washington City 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 as heir and executrix against Eight persons of African descent of the name of Sophia, Charlotte, Priscilla, Flora, Willie, George, Fanny and Peter for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said Sophia, Charlotte, Priscilla, Flora, Willie, George, Fanny and Peter 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 persons were of the ages of Viz. Sophia 37 years, Charlotte 31 years, Priscilla 27 years, Flora 11 years, Willie 7 years George 5 years, Fanny 2 years & Peter 3 mos​ and of the personal description following:(1)

Females

• Sophia is 5 ft. 6 inches high. Brown Complexion of Black Eyes,
• Charlotte is 4 ft 11 inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,
• Priscilla is 5 ft 6 inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,
• Flora is 3 ft 11 inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,

Males

• Willie is 3 ft 8 ½ inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,
• George is 3 ft 5 inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,
• Fanny is 2 ft 8 inches high, Brown Complexion & Black Eyes,
• Peter the Infant Child of Charlotte,

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Eight persons in manner following:(2) They are the descendants of Mary a slave purchased by Edward Mattingly (the father of petitioner from Charles Ruoth of Charles Co. Md. on the 18th Jany: 1820 (Bill of sale in possession of Petitioner) & by said Edw. Mattingly transferred to his wife, who bequeathed them in her last will & testament to her daughter the petitioner as heir & administratrix

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Eight persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Forty three hundred dollars in money.(3) viz Sophia $1200, Charlotte & Peter $1200, Priscilla $1200 Flora $500, Willie $500, George $450, & Fanny $250, and your petitioner has no knowledge of any infirmity or defects moral, mental or physical to impair the value of this claim, Sophia though constitutionally not so firm as the others, her services have always been equally valuable to her owner as the others

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 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 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 Eight 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 Eight 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.