Title: Petition of William Hamilton Williams, 28 May 1862
Date: May 28, 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.00500
TEI/XML: cww.00500.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, Wm. Hamilton Williams of Charles County, Md 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 a person of African descent of the name of Fannie Smallwood for and during the life of said Fannie Smallwood and that by said act of Congress said Fannie Smallwood 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 Fannie Smallwood was of the age of Twenty one years and of the personal description following:(1) Complexion Black—Build large and tall, about 5 feet 8 inches in height, one tooth out in front
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Fannie Smallwood in manner following:(2) from his father Charles S. Williams by deed of gift who owned her from her birth
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Fannie Smallwood was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Twelve Hundred dollars in money.(3) Said Fannie is a good cook, washer and Ironer and remarkably valuable as a general house servant
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 Fannie Smallwood into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Fannie 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 Fannie 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 value of his said claim to the service or labor of said Fannie 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.
W. Hamilton Williams
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Charles
I, William Hamilton Williams 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.
W. Hamilton Williams
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of May A. D. 1862.
Ben Franklin
Justice of the Peace
Charles County Sct:
I Gerard W. Crain Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County, do hereby certify that Benj. Franklin Esq. before whom the above Affidavit appears to have been made was of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for Charles County duly Commissioned & Sworn and that his Signature thereto is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for Said County this 22nd Day of May A. D. 1862.
William Hamilton Williams
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.
