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 Petitioner, James M. Cutts 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 the following persons of African descent of the names of Louisa Adams, Molly Adams, John Adams, Nancy Adams, Florence Adams, Aaron Adams and Gertrude Adams. 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 Louisa Adams was about thirty years old, Molly was fourteen years old, John was thirteen years of age, Nancy was was of the age of twelve years. Florence was eleven years old, Aaron was about ten years of age and Gertrude was about eight years of age. and of the personal description following:(1) That is to say,

• Louisa is of a Copper complexion about thirty years old and five feet four and a half inches high.
• Molly is a Very bright Mulatto about four feet five inches high.
• John is of a Black complexion about four feet high.
• Nancy is of a copper complexion about three feet six inches high.
• Florence is of a copper complexion about three feet six inches high.
• Aaron is of a copper complexion about three feet high.
• Gertrude is of a copper complexion about two feet ten inches high.

None of the above names persons have any marks known to your petitioner.

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) That is to say Louisa was given to the wife of your petitioner by her uncle John Hamilton of Maryland about twenty eight years ago The children were all born since Louisa came into my possession and have been in uninterrupted possession of my family ever since.

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 3400 dollars in money.(3)That is to say Louisa is valued at $800. Molly at $600. John at $500. Nancy at $450. Florence at $400. Aaron at $350. and Gertrude at $300.

• Louisa is a most excellent house servant, perfect washer & ironer also an excellent cook. very good plain seamstress. honest & industrious.
• Molly is also an excellent house servant. also a very good dining room servant and chamber maid.
• John is a very useful house servant and errand boy.
• Nancy & Florence, Aaron & Gertrude make themselves generally useful about. all are fine stout & healthy children.

There are no moral mental or bodily infirmities in either of the above named known to your petitioner.

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 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 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.