Title: Petition of Helen L. Joy, 23 June 1862
Date: June 23, 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.00756
TEI/XML: cww.00756.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, Helen L. Joy of Washington City 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 person of African descent of the name of Lucinda and Mary Servell for and during the life of said Lucinda and Mary and that by said act of Congress said Lucinda and Mary 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 Lucinda was of the age of Thirty six years and said Mary of the age of fourteen months and of the personal description following:(1) Said Lucinda is short a medium size, a light-mulatto—with hands much deformed—Mary her infant is very light almost white and a promising child—
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said persons in
manner following:(2)
Lucinda was given to her by her Father some seven or
eight years ago and the infant has been was born while the mother
was in bondage
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 Five hundred dollars in money.(3) Lucinda although deformed is strong and healthy capable of doing a great deal of work such as washing, scrubbing, and the like, and is willing, can more than support herself and child which she now leaves in the sole charge of your petitioner's burden and care. She has often been hired out at the rate of fifty-cents a day, so well does she perform such duties as in her power. The infant is almost white and very promising.
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 w
ere
as 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.
Helen L. Joy
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Helen L. Joy 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.
Helen L. Joy
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of June A. D. 1862.
W. R. Stratton J.P.
Helen L. Joy
Mrs J. B. Greenwall
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.
