Title: Petition of Thomas S. Mercer, 27 May 1862
Date: May 27, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 4. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).
Civil War Washington ID: cww.00467
TEI/XML: cww.00467.xml
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,
Thomas S.
Mercer
of
Maryland—But now & for some months
past sojourning in 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 certain person's of African descent of
the name of
Henrietta Warren &
Lucy Blackstone
for and during the live
ves of said
Henrietta & Lucy
and that by said act of Congress said
Henrietta & Lucy
were 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
Henrietta &
Lucy were of the ages
of and of the personal descriptions
following:(1)
Henrietta Warren was a woman of twenty five years old, about five feet seven inches high, of fine figure & person, dark brown color with long & waving hair. She has lost several of her front teeth—pleasant voice when spoken to.
Lucy Blackstone was a girl of about Sixteen years old, about five feet two inches high, of good figure & appearance—very dark in color, with a very bushy & curly head. pleasant voice when spoken to.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Henrietta & Lucy in manner following:(2) Henrietta Warren was given to my wife, Mrs. Mercer by her Father in the Fall of 1856. Lucy Blackstone was given to my wife Mrs. Mercer by her Grand Mother in the Spring of 1857. Since which time I have owned & possessed them up to the date of the aforesaid act of Congress—
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said
Henrietta &
Lucy
was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Two thousand four hundred dollars in money.(3)
Henrietta Warren
was a childs nurse, and a most elegant ladys maid & in all respects a
valuable Servant. I was offered Eighteen months ago Fifteen hundred dollars
for her & refused to take it.
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
Henrietta & Lucy
into the District of Columbia since the passage of said
act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said
Henrietta &
Lucy 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said Henrietta & Lucy 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 Henrietta & Lucy 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.
Thos S. Mercer
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Thomas S. Mercer being duly sworn, do depose and say, that all the several matters and things which are set forth and stated in the foregoing petition, as of my own knowledge, are true in substance and in fact; and that all the several other matters and things therein set forth and stated, as from the information of others, I believe to be true in substance and in fact.
Thomas S. Mercer
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of May A. D. 1862.
Wm R. Woodward clk.
Note (1.)-- Here describe the person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave, describe each one separately.
Note (2.)-- Here state how the claim was acquired, when, from whom, and for what price or consideration; and, if held under any written evidence of title, make exhibit thereof, or refer to the public record where the same may be found.
Note (3.)-- Here state such facts, if any there be, touching the value of the petitioner's claim to the service or labor of the person, as may enhance the same, and also such facts, if any, touching the moral, mental, and bodily infirmities or defects of said person, as impair the value of the petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and conclude such statement with an averment that the petitioner knows of no other infirmities or defects of said person which impair the value of petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and that he believes none other to exist. If the petitioner specify no such infirmity or defect, then his statement touching the value of his claim should conclude with an averment that he has no knowledge of any such infirmity or defect.
