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, Ellen Scott of Washington D.C. by this [no handwritten text supplied here] petition in writing, represents and states, that [no handwritten text supplied here] 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 five person of African descent of the name of Thomas Johnson, Harriet Crawford, Hannah Johnson, Jesse Wheeler, and Henry Watters​. for and during the life of said 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 persons were of the age of 23, 40, 25, 6, & 1 years and of the personal description following:(1) Thomas Johnson (male) about 23 years old, six feet high, dark brown colour​, honest faithful and industrious, Harriet Crawford aged about forty years, five feet 2 or 3 inches high of a dark brown colour​, a faithful and good servant, Jesse Wheeler a boy six years old dark brown color, and sprightly in all respects, Henry Waters a child twelve months old light brown colour​, all the above persons are believed by your petitioner to be sound healthy and free from all infirmaties​ no particular marks on their persons now recollected by your petitioner also Hannah Johnson (Female) 25 years of age a first rate servant

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) By will from her sister Elizabeth C. Scott as will more fully appear by reference to said will, which has been duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Wills for the County of Washington in the District of Columbia—all of the said persons to be free at the time of your petitioners death.

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 $3,900 dollars in money.(3)

Thomas Johnson	at 1500	Male
Harriet Crawford	" 1000	Female
Hanah​ Johnson	" 1000	ditto
Jesse Wheeler	" 300	Male
Henry Waters	" 100	ditto

All the above persons are free from any defects or infirmaties​ and of good moral character to the best of your petitioners knowledge and belief

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 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 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.