Title: Petition of Fielder R. Dorsett, 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.00588
TEI/XML: cww.00588.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,
Fielder R. Dorsett Sr.
of said District
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
Silas Dobson and California
for and during the life of said
and until they arrive at the age of twenty one
years and that by said act of Congress said
Silas Dobson and California
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
Silas Dobson was of the age of sixteen years, and California about
eleven years old, and of the personal description following:(1)
The said Silas Dobson is a chestnut
color, about five feet six inches high, the said
California is a Bright mulatto about four feet ten
inches high
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Silas & California in manner following:(2) they were given to your petitioner by their mother, Judy Dobson, who is now dead, and they were afterwards bound to your Petitioner by the Orphan's Court about five years ago, as will fully appear by reference to the records of said Court.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Silas & California was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of twelve hundred dollars in money.(3) that is to say, the said Silas Dobson is now hired out at 10$ per month and found, California is in the service of your Petitioner's family. They are good and honest servants. I know of no moral, mental or bodily infirmities in said persons. Your petitioner values them at six hundred dollars each.
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 value 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.
F. R. Dorsett
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Fielder R. Dorsett Sr. 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.
F. R. Dorsett
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of May A.D. 1862.
C. H. Wiltberger Justice of the Peace.
John Dorsett
Charles T. Dorsett
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.
