Title: Petition of William Swann, 18 June 1862
Date: June 18, 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.00711
TEI/XML: cww.00711.xml
Printed and sold by R. A. Waters, Penn. Avenue, between 11th and 12th Streets.
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, Wm Swann of Prince Geo Co Maryland 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 one Slave Woman a person of African descent of the name of Eliza a slave held by your petitioner as administrator upon the personal estate of Meekey Lanham late of Prince George County Maryland for and during the life of said Eliza and that by said act of Congress said Eliza 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 Eliza was of the age of forty years and of the personal description following:(1) Dark color stout built and about 4 feet 11 inches in height
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Eliza in manner following:(2) that is to say by Letter of Administration on the estate of Meekey Lanham aforesaid said Meekey Lanham acquiring her title by inheritance of Fathers estate the late Hezekiah Lanham of the county and state aforesaid, said Eliza being held by me as administrator for the benefit of the Heirs at Law of the late Meekey Lanham namely Wm Swann Richard Swann Ellen Ball Charlotte Ann Sheriff, Mary Atchison, Sarah Ann Talbott Caroline Talbott, Rachael Talbott & Charlotte Osborne
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Eliza was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of one thousand dollars in money.(3)Said Eliza, is a good house servant can cook wash & iron, and known as an industrious worker, of good moral character and of no defects or infirmities 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 Eliza into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Eliza 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 Eliza 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 Eliza 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.
Wm Swann administrator of Meekey Lanham
[FORM OF THE OATH FOR THE VERIFICATION OF THE PETITION.]
Washington County, ss.
I, William Swann 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.
Wm Swann administrator of Meekey Lanham
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of June A. D. 1862.
F. I. Murphey J.P.
of
Letters of M. Lanham
The STATE OF MARYLAND.
THE SUBSCRIBER, Register of Wills for Prince George's County, doth hereby certify, that it appears by the Records in his office, that Letters of Administration of all the goods, chattels, credits and personal estate of Meekey Lanham late of said County deceased, were on the eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and Sixty two granted and committed unto William Swann who was then and there appointed Administrator of the said deceased.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of the Orphans' Court of said county, this twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and Sixty two
Wm A. Jarboe
Register of Wills for Prince George's County.
Douglas Tolson
John Perkins
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.
