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, John Little Guardn​ of Julia A. Little of Washington County 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 four persons of African descent of the names of Lucy Simms and her two children Willie and Lillie—and John Hamilton— for and during the life of said persons respectively and that by said act of Congress said persons respectively 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 Lucy was about 24 years of age—Willie 3 years and Lillie about 5 months and John of the age of twenty two and of the personal description following:(1) Lucy is a bright mulatto tall and good looking—Willie and Lillie are bright mulattos—John is black, stout and very strong—Neither has any particular marks now recollected

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) About twenty years ago Samuel J. Little the father of Petitioner's ward Julia A. Little, purchased Lucy from Mr. Perry of Montgomery County and state of Maryland. He bought John from a Mr. Hamilton of this City about eight years ago.

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 Thirty two hundred dollars in money.(3) Lucy is perfectly sound and healthy, good tempered, honest, willing and industrious, a good house servant and her children are very promising—John is sound, strong, & healthy a first rate farm hand and your petitioner knows of no moral mental or bodily defect or infirmity 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 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 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.