Title: Petition of Francis Mohun, 17 June 1862
Date: June 17, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 5. 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.00695
TEI/XML: cww.00695.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, Francis Mohun of Washington City 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 a certain person of African descent of the name of Mary Marlow for and during the life of said Mary and that by said act of Congress said Mary was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Mary Marlow was of the age of twenty seven years and of the personal description following:(1) rather a dark mulatto—medium size—about five feet three inches in height—with a pleasant open countenance when addressed; but with no particular marks, recollected—
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Mary Marlow in manner following:(2) He purchased her at the earnest solicitation of and from Mr. David Barry, about sixteen years ago, when he was about to sell her, as he did others of his slaves to the South—At the time of purchase, she was called Lydia, but since then, at what exact time your Petitioner does not recollect, she changed it to Mary—
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Mary Marlow was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of One Thousand dollars in money.(3) Mary is quite intelligent, reads and writes tolerably well, understands nearly all the branches of housework, is a very good cook, washer and ironer, and a good seamstress—Has been a faithful honest and industrious servant, and your Petitioner avers that he knows of no moral, mental or bodily infirmity or defect, which should impair the value of his claim—
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 Mary Marlow into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Mary 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 Mary 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 Mary Marlow 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.
Francis Mohun.
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Received from Francis Mohun his six notes dated 13th March 1848 the first at 60 days for twenty five dollars the 2nd at 1 year for 55 dollars the third at 2 years for 80 dollars the fourth at 3 years for 80 dollars the 5th at 4 years for 80 dollars the 6th at 5 years for 80 dollars with [interest?] the whole being 400. dollars in full payment of for the purchase, by said Mohun for my negro girl Lydia aged about 16 or 17 for life,
David Barry
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Francis Mohun 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.
Francis Mohun.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of June A. D. 1862.
Chas. Walter J. P seal
R. B. Mohun—
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.
