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, Henry A. Willard of the City of Washington 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 Celia Radcliffe & her infant child a girl (holding her as Trustee for Mrs. Caroline M. Willard) a person of African descent of the name of for and during the lives of said Celia Radcliff and her said infant child, a girl, a few months old and that by said act of Congress said Celia & her said child 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 Celia Radcliff was of the age of about twenty five years, and her said infant daughter a few months old. and of the personal description following:(1) The said Celiawas born a slave for life, is a very bright mulatto, neat, tidy, well bred, educated as a lady's maid, and is a very good one. She is about the medium height. but I am not aware of any distinctive marks by which to describe her particularly—her infant child has no peculiar [marks?]

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said servants in manner following:(2) His brother Joseph C. Willard several years ago purchased Celia as a slave for life, and on the sixth of March last conveyed her with other property to their petitioner upon certain trusts for the benefit of the said Caroline M. Willard for life of said Joseph C. by deed only executed & apportioned and recorded in the clerks office of this county.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said servants was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Twelve hundred dollars in money.(3) This servant ought to bring the highest market price. Indeed Mr. Jos. C. Willard, as well as your petition now recollect, gave one thousand dollars for her seven or eight years ago: and since then she has increased in value. She is perfectly healthy, remarkably good looking, well bred, trusty, capable, and respectful.

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 servants into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said servants were 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 service 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 servants 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.