Title: Petition of Delilah Clark, 15 July 1862
Date: July 15, 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.00961
TEI/XML: cww.00961.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 Petitioner, Delilah Clark of Washn. D.C. by this her petition in writing, represents and states, that she 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 seven persons of African descent of the names of Benj. Marler,—Sarah Dickerson Wm. Butler, Frank Joyce—Mary Johnson—Robt. Johnson—Jo. Johnson for and during the life of said seven persons, except Wm. Butler who by virtue of a will of a former owner was to have been free at the age of thirty five (35) years and that by said act of Congress said seven 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 seven persons were of the ages of [no handwritten text supplied here] and of the personal description following:(1)
| Name | Age | Sex | height | Color &c |
| Benj. Marler | 70 years | male | 5 ft. 8 ½ in | Black |
| Sarah Dickerson | 54 " | female | 5 ft. 5 in | Black |
| Wm. Butler | 32 " | male | 5 " 9 in | Copper |
| Frank Joyce | 30 " | male | 5 ft 7 ½ in | Black |
| Mary Johnson | 21 " | female | 5 ft 3 in | Mullatto |
| Robt. Johnson | 3 " | male | 3 ft | Children of Mary Johnson Mullattos |
| Jo. Johnson | ½ " | male |
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said seven persons in manner following:(2) to wit, my late husband William Clark died on the 7th day of July A.D. 1855 possessed of the following named persons viz. Benj. Marler Sarah Dickerson, Wm Butler, Frank Joyce & Mary Johnson as will appear from the accompanying written papers, except Benj. Marler who was purchased of a Mr. Neal of Georgetown D.C. about thirty years ago. Said William Clark died without making a will leaving but one child & heir at law, T. Edw. Clark who by his assignment dated April 17th A.D. 1857 & recorded in the Clerks office of Washn. County D.C. in Liber J.AS No. 132 folios 48 & 49 conveyed all his right title & interest in & to his father's Estate to your petitioner. The two children of Mary Johnson, Robt. & Jo. were born since the death of my husband.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Seven persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of Thirty-seven hundred dollars in money.(3) Said seven persons to the best of your petitioner's knowledge & belief are of sound body & mind except Benj. Marler who is blind of an eye
Your petitioner hereby declares that she bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that she 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 she has not brought said seven persons
into the District of Columbia since the passage of said
act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said seven 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said seven 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said seven 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.
Delilah Clark
to
William Clark
Recd 28th June 1849 to be recorded & the same day was recorded in Liber JAS No 4 folio 456 one of the land records for Washington County in the District of Columbia & examd by
Know all men by these presents that I Ellen Willcoxen of Washington City in the District of Columbia for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to me in hand paid by William Clark of the city and District aforesaid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said William Clark Negro boy named Frank Joyce aged about fourteen years a slave for life together with all the right title interest claim property possession and demand whatsoever of me my executors or administrators of in and to the said negro Frank Joyce to have and to hold the said Negro Frank Joyce unto him the said William Clark and his heirs and assigns forever
In witness whereof the said Ellen Willcoxen hath hereunto set my hand and affixed her seal this fourteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six
her X mark Ellen Willcoxen seal
Witness
James Marshall
of
Negro Sarah Dickerson
from
Jno. H Cla[verr?]
to
William Clark
Recd 28th June 1849 to be recorded & the same day was recorded in Liber JAS No 4 folios 455 456 one of the land records for Washington County in the District of Columbia & Examd by
Know all men by these presents that John H. [Claverr?] of Prince Georges County in the state of Maryland for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred and Twenty five dollars to me in hand paid by William Clark of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said William Clark my negro woman Sarah Dickerson aged about Thirty six years a slave for life. together with all the right title interest clame property possession and demand whatsoever of me my executors or administrators of in and to the said negro Sarah Dickerson to have and to hold the said negro Sarah Dickerson unto him the said William Clark and his heirs and assigns forever
In Witness whereof I the said John H. [Claverr?] hath hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the Twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Forty Nine
Jno H [Claverr?] seal
Witness
John A. D [Claverr?]
Know all men by these presents that I C. S. Keich of Prince George's County in the State of Maryland guardian to George W. Kerby and I. Owen Kerby of the same county and state, for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred and eighty three dollars and thirty three and one third cents current money to me in hand paid, by William Clarke of Washington City in the District of Columbia in his lifetime and before the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof I, the said C. S. Keich do hereby acknowledge, and by virtue of an order of the Orphan's Court of Prince George's County passed on the twentieth day of February eighteen hundred and fifty five, have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain, and sell unto the said William Clarke, his executors, administrators, and assigns two thirds of negro girl Mary and negro man Bill Butler a slave for a term of years, said two thirds being the undivided interest in the said slaves owned by my said wards To Have and To Hold the said two thirds of said negroes above bargained and sold or mentioned and intended so to be to the said William Clarke, his executors, administrators and assigns forever; and I the said C. S. Keich for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, all the said interest in said negroes unto the said William Clarke his executors, administrators, and assigns against me the said C. S. Keich, my executors and administrators, and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my seal this twentieth day of February 1855
C. Smith Keech seal
Received of William Clark four hundred and sixteen dollars and sixty six & ⅔ cents being two thirds of the amt: for which negro girl Mary was sold to him under order of the Orphan's Court passed Feb: 20th ultimo—Said Clark representing one of the wards & the undersigned the other two
C. S. Keech Guardian for George W Kerby and I Owen Kerby
Received of William Clarke two hundred and sixty six dollars and sixty six and two third cents being the amount due my wards George H and I. Owen Kerby for negro man Bill who calls himself Bill Butler sold to Mr Clarke under an order of the Orphans Court of Prince George's County Maryland passed February 1855
C. S. Keech Guardian to George H. & I. Owen Kerby
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Delilah Clark 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.
Delilah Clark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of July A. D. 1862.
H. G. Murray J. P.
Petition
of
Delilah Clark
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.
