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, Stephen Gough and Georgeanna Gough of Georgetown D.C. by this their petition in writing, represents and states, that they are is a persons 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 the following six persons of African descent of the name of Emily Greenwell, Charlotte Greenwell, Martha Greenwell, Betty Greenwell, Emily Greenwell 2nd, and Louisa Jane Greenwell for and during the life of said six persons and that by said act of Congress said six persons were was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said six persons were was of the age of and of the personal description following:(1)

• Emily Greenwell, aged 57 years—bright yellow—regular features, thin figure, medium height—good address.
• Charlotte aged 29 years—Dark complexion, irregular features—medium height good figure and demeanor.
• Martha, aged 25 years—bright yellow good features—below medium height—slight figure, amiable expression & pleasant address.
• Betty—aged 19 years, 4 months—Dark complexion—irregular features, slight figure, medium height—blunt address
• Emily 2nd, aged 17 years 9 months—Bright yellow—irregular features—figure slight—medium height.
• Louisa Jane—aged 14 years, 3 months—complexion rather bright—good features, slight figure, and well grown for a girl in her fifteenth year.

 

That your petitioner acquired their claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said six persons in manner following:(2) We inherited them as children and sole surviving heirs of Stephen and Elizabeth Gough late of Saint Marys County Maryland, both of whom died intestate

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said six persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of say 4200 dollars in money.(3) These persons were valued two years since by the assessors of the Corporation of Georgetown as follows- Emily, $400- Charlotte $800- Martha $800- Betty $800- Emily 2nd $600- and Louisa Jane $400- and we have paid taxes accordingly- we estimate an increase of $200 each on the value of Emily 2nd and Louisa Jane, since that assessment, making the aggregate of $4200, as stated.

Your petitioner hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they have 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 they have hasnot brought said six persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said six 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 their said claim to the service or labor of said six 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 s prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of their said claim to the service or labor of said six 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.