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, Cornelius S Wildman Guardian of Washington City DC. 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 as said Guardian for his Children, against Four persons of African descent of the names of Cely Hill, Eliza Brown, & Annie, her Daughter & Thomas Scifas, or Cephas. for and during the lives of said Four named Persons and that by said act of Congress said Four named Persons 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 Cely Hill was of the age of Fifty five—Eliza Brown of the age of Twenty Years—Annie, one year & a half, & Thomas Sifas of the age of Ten or Eleven Years or thereabouts and of the personal description following:(1) Cely Hill—of a Black complexion—about 5 Feet 6 Inches in height—Eliza Brown, Same color, about F 5, 4 Inches—Annie—Black—Thomas Black—F 4, 3 I. in height or thereabouts

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Four named Persons in manner following:(2) As Guardian of his Seven Children, by appointment of Orphans' Court of this District to which reference is hereby made,—Cely Hill has been [so?] held by your Petr.​ since 1834—Eliza Brown was purchased from Brian E Hill, as will be seen by reference to accompany Bill of Sale—Anna her Daughter at the time of the passage of said Emancipation act was held to such service & labor to Petr.​ as Guardian—Thomas Scifas—is not named in the Guardian Recd​, but was brought to this District & held by Petitioner as such Guardian as the Separate & distinct Estate of his late Deceased Wife, Mother of the said Children—In relation to [these?] Boys your Petr​ would state that in 1856 he was conveyed in trust by Your Petr​ to Dr. [P H Heiskell?] of Prince George County Md—who has filed the required schedule—But as it is very doubtful whether Dr Heiskell can file his Petition [illegible] the time [illegible] in the interest of his said Children [having?] [illegible] included said [illegible] in his Petrs​ Schedule [illegible] [His?] Claim.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Four named Persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of three thousand three hundred dollars in money.(3)He values Cely Hill at Six hundred Dollars, in money—Eliza Brown at one thousand five hundred—Her daughter Anna, at Two hundred & Thomas Scifas at One thousand Dollars—in money—Cely Hill has been in the family & under the particular charge of your Petr.​ is a good cook, washer & Ironer is faithful, & a good Servant in Every respect—She has hired out with Petrs​ consent, for the last fourteen months at $10 per month or 50 cents per day—She is sound & healthy Eliza Brown is a good nurse, & house Servant & in Every respect a faithful & valuable Servant—She is also a wash woman & Ironer & a good seamstress & cutter—She enjoys good health & is sound in every particular—Both these women were of peculiar value to Petr.​ & Family & no money would have induced him to part with them—Anna—Daughter of Eliza is a sprightly, healthy child—Thomas Scifas is healthy & active, & as a house Servant & for general purposes was of great value & comfort to your Petitioner & his Children

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 named Persons 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 named 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 named 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.