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 Petitioners Thomas J. S. Perry & Louis F. Perry of the District of Columbia by this their petition in writing, represents and states, that they are is a persons 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 three persons of African descent of the name of Robert Brooks Charles Canter and Zora Canter for and during the life of said Robert, Charles, and Zora and that by said act of Congress said Robert, Charles, and Zora were discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor;

• No I. that at the time of said discharge said Robert Brooks was of the age of fifteen years and of the personal description following:(1)A boy—bright mulatto—black hair and eyes—medium size for his age—even featured—pleasant countenance—and perfectly healthy—about 4 feet 7 inches high.
• No 2 That at the time of said discharge said Charles Canter was of the age of Nine years and of the following personal description—A boy—bright mulatto—dark brown hair black eyes—medium size for his age—stout built, pleasant countenance & even featured—about 4 feet high.
• No 3. That at the time of said discharge said Zora Canter was of the age of Five years and of the personal description following—A girl, bright mulatto color—black hair and eyes—large size for her age—a bright fine looking girl, well proportioned—about Three feet 7½ inches high—

 

That your petitioners acquired their claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Robert, Charles and Zora in manner following:(2) That the said Robert and Charles were acquired by a bill of sale to your Petitioners and one Thomas A. [Lazenby?] from one Rachel Beall as will more fully appear by the said bill of sale which is hereunto annexed: and that subsequent to the said bill of sale the said Zora was born the slave for life of your Petitioners and said [Lazenby?]; and that subsequent to said birth of the said Zora the said [Lazenby?] by bill of sale conveyed all his interest in said Robert, Charles and Zora to your Petitioner Thomas J. S. Perry as will more fully appear from said bill of sale which is hereto annexed, and your Petitioners aver that no one else except your Petitioners have any right title claim or interest in said persons.

• No I. That your petitioner's' claim to the service or labor of said Robert Brooks was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of One Thousand dollars in money.(3)That the said Robert is a fine servant—especially a dining room servant—a keen sharp boy—very likely—perfectly healthy
• No 2. That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Charles Canter, was at the time of said discharge therefrom of the value of Eight Hundred dollars in money. That the said Charles is a very bright boy for his age—and gives every indication of making a very useful man—He is perfectly healthy—
• No 3. That your Petitioners' claim to the service or labor of said Zora Canter was at the time of said discharge therefrom of the value of Six Hundred Dollars in money—That the said Zora is a bright fine looking girl—well proportioned and perfectly healthy—Your Petitioners aver they do not know of a single defect or infirmity moral, mental or bodily of either of said persons, and they believe that none such exist

Your petitioners hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they or either of them hasve not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioners further states and alleges, that they hasve 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 was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioners further states and alleges, that their said claim to the service or labor of said persons or Either of them 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 petitioners prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of their 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.