Title: Petition of Philip Mackey, 2 June 1862
Date: June 2, 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.00573
TEI/XML: cww.00573.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, Philip Mackey of Washington 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 Six persons of African descent of the names of Nancy Holmes, Irene Holmes, Thomas Holmes, Wesley Holmes, Jefferson Holmes Stephen Holmes, for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons 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 Nancy Holmes, was of the age of Twenty Five years, and of the personal description following:(1) Copper color woman, Five feet high.
- Irene Holmes, was of the age of Twenty three years, copper color woman, Five feet high.
- Thomas Holmes, was of the age of Six years, Copper color boy Three feet high.
- Wesley Holmes, was of the age of Twenty One years Dark copper color man, Five feet six inches high. (marked by the small pox)
- Jefferson Holmes, was of the age of Two years Bright mulatto boy, Two feet high.
- Stephen Holmes, was of the age of Two years, Bright mulatto boy, Two feet high.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said six persons in manner following:(2) said Nancy, Irene, and Wesley, are children of Harriet and Henry Holmes, who were my slaves willed to me about Twenty Five years since by my mother Mary Mackey, as by will recorded in Easton, Talbot County, Md will appear.
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 Forty three hundred dollars in money.(3)
- Nancy Holmes, is an excellent nurse & cook valued at $1000.
- Irene Holmes, is an excellent Cook—valued at $1000
- Thomas Holmes, is a smart intelligent boy, valued at $500
- Wesley Holmes, is a very industrious faithful servant valued at $1200
- Jefferson Holmes is a bright healthy child valued at $300
- Stephen Holmes is a bright healthy child valued at $300
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 were 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.
Philip Mackey
Columbus Alexander
—protesting against payment, &c—to be filed with papers in (573.)
To the Hon. the Commissioners appointed under the Act of Congress entitled "An Act for the release of certain persons &c. &c. in the District of Columbia:
The Petition of Columbus Alexander of the City of Washington humbly represents, that a certain Philip Mackey of said City has filed with the Clerk of your Board a Petition, claiming compensation for six persons of Color—as by reference to the same will appear. But your Petitioner avers, and can prove, that the said claim is unfounded—that at the time of the passage of said Act of Congress the said Mackey had no interest claim or title, to said persons or shadow of title—but that the same was fully vested in your Petitioner, and this, he is prepared to prove. Your Petitioner therefore prays that the said presented claim of said Mackey may not be allowed. And as in duty &c.
Columbus Alexander
A. Lloyd, Attorney,
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Philip Mackey, 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.
Philip Mackey
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of May A. D. 1862.
H. Naylor J. Peace
Philip Mackey
George Longley
James Longley
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.
