Title: Petition of Robert Bowie, 12 July 1862
Date: July 12, 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.00914
TEI/XML: cww.00914.xml
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, Rob Bowie of Prince George's Co Md 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 a Coloured person of African descent of the name of Sidney Coolidge for and during the life of said negroe and that by said act of Congress said Sidney Coolidge 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 Sidney Coolidge was of the age of fifty five and of the personal description following:(1) Copper coloured, about 5 ft 9 or 10 inches high, fine personal appearance
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Sidney Coolidge in manner following:(2) By will of his mother Mary M Bowie
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Sidney Coolidge was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of eight hundred dollars in money.(3)$800.00/100—He is remarkably healthy, of good moral habits & very valuable for his thorough practical knowledge of horticulture—& also as an accomplished Body Servant
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 Sidney Coolidge into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress*; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Sidney Coolidge was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor. in explanation of the above paragraph I would state that Sidney's wife, Sophy, was residing in the District at the time of the passage of the Act of Emancipation and both, husband & wife for several years prior to the act—I temporarily removed Sidney to Prince George's County in March 1861—where he has been marketing ever since—and remaining nearly one half of his time in Washington City with his wife. In view of these facts I submit whether or not I can claim his value under the act of emancipation
Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said Sidney Coolidge 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 Sidney Coolidge 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.
Rob Bowie
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I Robert Bowie 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.
Rob Bowie
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of July A. D. 1862.
Wm R. Woodward clk
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.
