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, Christopher S. O'Hare of Washington by this his 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 Four (4) persons of African descent of the names of Louisa Brook, Washington Brook, Caroline Brook and George Brook for and during the life of said lives of said Louisa, Washington, Caroline and George and that by said act of Congress said Louisa, Washington, Caroline and George 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 Louisa, Washington, Caroline and George were of the ages of and of the personal descriptions following:(1) Louisa is about 26 years old, mulatto and about 5 feet high. Washington is about 8 years old, bright mulatto and about 4 feet high. Caroline is about 4 years old, mulatto and about 3 feet high, and George is about 20 months old, mulatto and about two feet 6 inches high

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said four persons in manner following:(2) they belong to the estate of Samuel Shreave Sr. decd​ of Maryland the father of your petitioner's wife and at the public sale of the personal estate were purchased by this petitioner from the administrator, no written evidence of purchase was received, but they came immediately delivered to petitioner & have been in his possession in the District ever since said sale, which occurred 21st November 1861.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said four persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 2550 dollars in money.(3)Said Louisa being worth $1200, Washington $700, Caroline $450, and George $200. Said Louisa is a first class washer & ironer, & understands plain cooking, and is in perfect health having been raised as a field hand—Washington is a smart & active boy and is useful for making fires, bringing water and any similar work—Caroline and George are likely and intelligent children—all in perfect health—Louisa is the mother of Wash, Caroline and George. They are cheerful & willing servants, faithful & honest. Your petitioner knows of no mental, moral or physical defects to impair the value of any of the above persons.

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 four persons or any 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 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said four 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 his said claim to the service or labor of said four 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.