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, John Hoover of Washington City D.C. 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 1 Bew Taylor 2 John Taylor 3 Sam Reynolds. 4 Nancy. 5 Bill her child 6 Susan, Nancy's child. 7 Charley. person of African descent of the names of

• 1 Bew Taylor
• 2 John Taylor
• 3 Sam Reynolds
• 4 Nancy
• 2 children of Nancy
  5 Bill
• 6 Susan
• 7 Charley

for and during the life ves of said Bew Taylor John Taylor Sam Reynolds, Nancy, Bill, Susan & Charley. and that by said act of Congress said Bew, John, Sam, Nancy Bill, Susan and Charley 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 Bew John Sam Nancy Bill Susan and Charley were of the ages of 22 yrs. 18 yrs. 52 years. 19 yrs. 4 years. 1 ½ years and 56 years. and of the personal description following:(1)

• 1 Bew Taylor Stout and Strong. 22 years of age. Dark Complection​
• 2 John Taylor Stout and Strong 18 years of age. Dark Complection​.
• 3 Sam Reynolds Stout and Strong. 52 years of age. Yellow Complection​.
• 4. Nancy woman aged 19 years stout and healthy. Yellow Complection​.
• 5 Bill. Child of Nancy 4 years of age Black Yellow Complection​.
• 6 Susan Child of Nancy. 1 ½ years of age Black Complexion.
• 7 Charley. 56 years of age stout and strong. Black Complexion.

 

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

• 1 Bew Taylor purchased from Estate of Robert Bowie, Prince Georges County Maryland.
• 2 John Taylor purchased from Estate of Robert Bowie, Prince Georges County Maryland.
• 3 Sam Reynolds purchased from John Young, Washington City.
• 4. 5. 6. Nancy—Bill purchased from Mrs. Cross P. G County Maryland. Susan born since purchase—
• 7 Charley purchased from John Brenton of Washington City.

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 $6600. dollars in money.(3)

• 1 Bew Taylor is estimated to be worth $1500.00
• 2 John Taylor is estimated to be worth $1500.00
• 3 Sam Reynolds is estimated to be worth $1500.00
• 4 Nancy is estimated to be worth $1000.00
• 5 Bill (Nancy's child) is estimated at $400.00
• 6 Susan (Nancy's child) is estimated at $200.00
• 7 Charley. estimated to be worth $500.00

All being healthy and strong without defect or infirmity.

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 ere 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.