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, Thomas T. Barnes 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 two persons person of African descent of the name of Ellen Middleton and Henry Allen for and during the life of said a term of years, they were to have served until each shall have arrived to the age of thirty years. That is to say, the said Ellen had about five years to serve and the said Henry had about Eight years to serve from the date of said act and that by said act of Congress said 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 Ellen was of the age of about twenty six years, and the said Henry was of the age of about twenty two years and of the personal description following:(1) said Ellen Color dark and about medium size, the said Henry is a dark mulatto about five feet seven inches high

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2) I purchased the said Ellen and Henry, and their Mother Lethe of the Estate of Mrs Ann Orm of this City. The said Lethe their said Mother was to have Served until she arrived to the age of thirty five years. And I presume the said Ellen and Henry were also to be free when they arrived to that age. I have no papers to refresh my memory as to the price paid, but believe it was about four hundred Dollars for the said Ellen and Henry

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons werewas, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of thirteen hundred dollars in money.(3)that is to Say, the said Ellen was worth five hundred Dollars, and the said Henry was worth eight hundred Dollars, The said Ellen is inteligent​, honest and industrious and a first rate Cook Washer and Ironer, and the said Henry is very smart inteligent​, industrious and obedient. neither the said Ellen or Henry have any moral, mental or bodily infirmities or defects to my knowledge and aver that I do not believe any exist

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 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 werewas 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 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 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.