Civil War Washington

Petition

To the Commissioners under the Act of Congress approved the 16th April 1862 Entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia"—

Your Petitioner Sarah T Hughes, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, by this her Petition in writing, represents & states that she 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 Catharine Butler, a Person of African descent, and her two Female Children of the names of Jane & Mary Butler, for & during the lives of the said Catharine Jane & Mary Butler, and that by the said Act of Congress said Catharine, Jane & Mary Butler were discharged & freed from & of all claim of your Petitioner to such service or labor: that at the time of said discharge said Catharine Butler was of the age of Thirty Six Years or thereabouts, & of the personal description following, to wit: She is a mulatto—good looking—about F​ 5, I​ 4, in height—Jane Butler was of the age of Six Years or thereabout—a mulatto—well grown for her age & Mary Butler was of the age of Three Years or thereabout & of a dark mahogany Color—

That your Petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid labor or Service of said Persons in manner following to wit:—Catharine Butler belonged to her before her marriage, & was devised to her by the last will of her late Husband, of record in the Orphan's Court of this District, & that she & her two Children aforesaid were born in the family & raised by her, your Petitioner aforesaid

That your petitioner's Claim to the service or labor of the said   Catharine Butler was, at the time of said discharge therefrom of the value of $1000., although, owing to her good qualities & the Petitioners attachment to her & her Children she would not have taken that price & in fact a short time ago refused a much large one—Catharine is a first rate House Servant, Cook, Washer & Ironer—very healthy, intelligent & honest.

That her Daughter Jane Butler was at the time aforesaid, of the value of $300—She is good looking, smart, healthy & active—very useful about the house as a maid &c. That Mary Butler, Catharine's Second Daughter was of the value of $150—She is healthy, & promising—

Your Petitioner hereby declares that she bears true & faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, & that she 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 & alleges that she has not brought said Catharine, Jane & Mary Butler into the District of Columbia, Since the passage of the Said act of Congress; & that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Catharine, Jane & Mary Butler were held to labor or service therein under & by virtue of your Petitioner's Claim to such service or labor—

Your Petitioner further States & alleges that her Said Claim to the service or labor of said named 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 will   investigate & determine the Validity of her said Claim to the service of said Catharine, Jane & Mary Butler, herein above set forth; and if the Same be found to be valid, that they appraise & apportion the value of said Claim in money & report the Same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in Conformity to the provisions of said Act of Congress.

Your Petitioner knows of no infirmities or defects of said Persons which impair the value of your Petitioner's Claim to such service or labor & that she believes none other to Exist—