Title: Petition of Joseph Weaver and Thomas Weaver, 9 July 1862
Date: July 9, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 6. 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.00872
TEI/XML: cww.00872.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 Petitioners, Joseph Weaver &
Thomas Weaver 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 certain persons of
African descent of the names of John Cessas,
Margaret, and their children
Emily, Mary, George
Washington
Jeremiah, and Alexander, for
and during the life of said persons named as
aforesaid and that by said act of Congress said persons named as aforesaid 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 persons named as
aforesaid were of the ages of viz.
John Cessas aged 60 years
Margaret 43 years Emily 15
years, Mary 13 years, George
Washington 7 years Jeremiah 5 years,
Alexander 1 years and of the personal
description following:(1)
They are are All Black in color
- John Cessas in height about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches
- Margaret " " " 5 "
- Emily " " " 5 " 4 "
- Mary " " " 4 " 6 "
- George Washington 3 " 6 "
- Jeremiah 3 "
- Alexander 2 "
That your petitioners acquired their claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons named as aforesaid in manner following:(2) Purchased June 9th 1858 of John H. Sommerville and Sarah I Sommerville with the exception of Alexander who was born since the purchase as aforesaid. & of Record in the Clerks office in Circuit Court Washington County D. C
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons named as aforesaid was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Five Thousand dollars in money.(3)viz John Cessas $1000.00—Margaret $800.00 Emily $1000.00 Mary $900.00. Jeremiah $700.00 George Washington $500.00. Alexander $100.00.
Your petitioners hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.
And your petitioners further states and
alleges, that they have
not brought said persons named aforesaid into the
District of Columbia since the passage of said act of
Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons named as aforesaid ware held to
service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such
service or labor.
Your petitioners further states and
alleges, that their said claim to
the service or labor of said persons named as
aforesaid 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 petitioners prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of their said claim to the service or labor of said persons named as aforesaid 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.
Jos Weaver
Thos Weaver
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
We Joseph Weaver and Thomas Weaver 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.
Jos Weaver
Thos Weaver
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of July A. D. 1862.
Jenkin Thomas J Peace
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.
