Title: Petition of Verlinda M. Wells, 6 June 1862
Date: June 6, 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.00701
TEI/XML: cww.00701.xml
Received from his daughter Elizh Susannah Wells late of Wash City deceased—he took them as per next of kin.
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 Verlinda M. Wells by
her next friend and husband
Your Petitioner, John
Wells of Prince
George's County Md by this her petition in writing, represents and 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 two persons of African descent of the
names of William Henry Harrison and Isaac Keppler for and during the life of said William Henry and
Isaac and that by said act of Congress said
William Henry and
Isaac 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 William Henry was of
the age of thirty four years and the said Isaac
of the age of twenty nine years and of the
personal description following:(1)
William Henry is of a dark brown or
black color,—smooth face—about five feet six inches
high—with no particular marks—Isaac, his
brother, is very much like him both in size and color, and has a scar in one
of his ears, but which one your Petitioner does not
recollect—
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) by virtue of a certain deed, herewith filed, from John Wells administrator of Elizabeth Wells deceased to Washington Hilleary in trust in consideration of natural love & affection
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 Twenty four hundred dollars in money.(3)Said persons are both in good health and capable, honest and sober, and so far as Your Petitioner knows are free from any moral, mental or bodily defect or infirmity impairing the value of Your Petitioners claim to their services, Your Petitioner avers he knows of no such defect or infirmity
Your petitioner hereby declares that she bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and 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 and alleges, that she has not brought said persons or either of them 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 petitioner further states and alleges, that her 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 petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of her 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.
Verlinda M Wells
Jno Wells as next friend of Virlinda M. Wells
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
State of Maryland
I, Verlinda M. Wells 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.
Verlinda M Wells
Sworn to and subscribed before me this sixth day of June A. D. 1862.
Jno. M. Scott J. P.
I hereby certify that John W. Scott Esquire, before whom the aforegoing affidavit appear to have been made, and who has subscribed the same, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace of the said State, in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned and sworn, and that his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, this tenth day of June 1862
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.
