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, Nancy W. Davis of the District of Columbia 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 one female, and three male persons of African descent of the names of Ann Lowry, Steptoe Lowry, George Lowry, and Simon Moore respectively for and during the life of said persons respectively and that by said act of Congress said persons were all 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 respective ages of said Ann Lowry, 45 years, said Steptoe 25 years, said George 20 years, said Simon 55 years of the age of and of the personal description following:(1) The said Ann is quite small, long head black. Said Steptoe is about five feet 10 inches high, black color. SaidGeorge is about 5 feet 6 inches high, black color, said Simonis about 5 feet 10 inches high black color.

 

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons respectively in manner following:(2) The said Ann Lowry was given to her when quite a small child by Petitioners Father Leonard Y. Davis of Jefferson County in the state of Virginia, deceased, and was raised by your Petitioner, and the said Steptoe and George Lowry are her children born during her servitude. Said Simon was purchased by your Petitioner's said father at a sale made of the personal property belonging to the Estate of Ebin. Taylor late of Clark County in the state aforesaid deceased about the year 1831 or 1832, and was purchased for your Petitioner all of said slaves were acquired for the reason of the natural care and affliction of her said father for Petitioner.

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 eight hundred dollars in money.(3) Said servants are all trusty, honest, and capable. Said Ann is a good cook and house servant. Said Steptoe and George are able bodied men, and good farm hands, the later is remarkably handy to do anything assigned to him, either as house servant, buying and selling or any other work. Simon for his years is as capable and faithful as any servant ever was. All are in good health, free from any moral, mental and bodily infirmities or defects to impair their value, and your Petitioner avers that she has no knowledge of any such infirmity or defect.

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 respectively ware 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 respectively 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.