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, Wm. A. Linton 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 Two persons of African descent of the name of Fanny Stuart and Robinson Crusoe Stuart, her son for and during the life of said Fanny Stuart & Robinson Crusoe Stuart and that by said act of Congress said Persons are discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Fanny Stuart is supposed to have been of the age of Forty years or upwards & her son Robinson Crusoe Stuart about the age of twelve years (12) and of the personal descriptions following:(1) Fanny Stuart is a hale healthy, robust woman of a dark copper complexion and her son Robinson may be called black—that the said Fanny is a very valuable servant; of fine quality and of superior qualifications as a Cook in which Capacity she has served your Petitioner for many years past; to his entire satisfaction: and as he believes to her own satisfaction also as she is still in his service with a knowledge that she is free to depart at any time she pleases—The son Robinson Crusoe Stuart has been born since your Petitioner became the owner of the said Fanny. He is a likely, smart, active Boy & has been trained to the duties of the house and dining Room, where he can acquit himself as well as Boys of his age usually do.

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said servants in manner following:(2) by purchase from his own son John A Linton as to the woman Fanny: and as to the son he has been born since the mother became the property of your petitioner & is now near 12 years of age The Price paid for Fanny he does not recollect it has been so long ago, but he thinks something under $400.x

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said servants was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of $1800 dollars in money.(3)Eighteen hundred dollars in money but from the excellent moral qualities of the woman, her Integrity, her fidelity, & her Superior qualifications as a Cook he would have been reluctant to part from her at any time; your petitioner avers that he knows of no personal defect or infirmity pertaining to either the mother or the son nor does he believe there is any such. they have always been remarkably healthy

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 servants— into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said servants were was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor. acquired more than twelve 12 years ago.

Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said servants 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 servants. 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.