Title: Petition of James Selden, 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.00533
TEI/XML: cww.00533.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, James Selden of Washington DC 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 slave woman a person of African descent of the name of Harriet Johnson for and during the life of said Harriet Johnson and that by said act of Congress said Harriet Johnson 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 Harriet Johnson was of the age of fifty five and of the personal description following:(1) dark complexion, short and stoutly built—
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Harriet Johnson in manner following:(2) by purchase as will be seen by accompanying Bill of Sale.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Harriet Johnson was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of five hundred dollars in money.(3)the price I paid for this woman was merely nominal as I have hired her nearly ever since I owned her at $6.00 per month of $72 per annum, and have refused an offer of $250 for her since I purchased her—I know of no mental or bodily defect she possess & believe she has none.
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 woman into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said woman 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 woman 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 woman 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.
James Selden.
Know all men by these presents that I Ann Scott of Washington County & District of Columbia have this day, for and in consideration of the sum of Seventy five Dollars good and current money to me in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents and the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, bargained and sold unto James Selden of the County and District aforesaid servant woman Harriet Johnson aged fifty five a slave for life, and against the claim or claims of any person or persons whomsoever to the proper use & behoof of the said James Selden, his heirs Executors Administrators or assigns I will said servant woman by these presents forever warrant and defend.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal on this fifteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred & sixty.
Ann Scott seal
signed in presence of
A. M. Young
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, James Selden 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.
James Selden.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of May A. D. 1862.
Thomas C. Donn
Justice of the Peace for Washington County District of Columbia
James Selden
William Elliott " "
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.
