Document 1:

Title: Petition of Matilda Blany, [n. d.]

Date: Not before July 12, 1862, and not after September 27, 1862

Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 433, Reel 3. The original document is held in the Records of the District Courts of the United States, 1685–2004, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 21. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4314547 / MLR Number NC-2 33 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).

Document 2:

Title: Evidence Relating to the Petition of Matilda Blany, 27 September 1862

Date: September 27, 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.00994

TEI/XML: cww.00994.xml

 
To John A. Smith Clerk of the Circuit Court to the Dist of Columbia
Sir

Dafney Brodie of Prince Georges Coty Maryland having claim to service or labor of the undersigned and having refused or neglected to file in your Office the Statement in writing or schedule provided for in the 9th Section of the Act of Congress Entitled "An Act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia" Approved April 16th 1862.

You will please file and record in your Office the annexed schedule in pursuance of An Act Supplementary to the above recited Act Approved July 12th 1862. The said Matilda Blany was a resident of the said District on the 16th April 1862, and had been for twenty years previous.

Name Age Sex height Remarks
Matilda Blany. 50. female 5 ft 2 in Black

her X mark Matilda Blany
Witness
B. H. Stinemetz
 
Matilda Blany
Schedule
Witness Arthur [Haas?]
 
Septr 26, 1862.
Matilda Blany
servant of Daphney Brodey
Frances Johnson (col'd​). Servant belonged to Mrs. Brodey. When I knew her she lived back of the Avenue in this city. I knew her for 9 years. Mrs Brodie moved away. Servant lived out of the city a little way at Mrs. Capt​ (Julia) Balch on Kalorama Hill, a little way from me. I knew Mrs Brodey hired [her?] out to Mrs Balch [illegible] [came?] some two weeks before passage of act to our house sick & [living amid?] there sick for some time after act. dont know that she ran away
Postponed until tomorrow for Mr Arthur Hoe.
Sept 27. R. A. Hoe. I do not know where servant was on 16 of Apl

I was agent for owner Mrs Brodey. dont know whether I was agent 16 Apl. just about time of passage of act or just before. Mrs Brodey asked me to see servant and see whether she wanted to come home or not. I was not able to find her. Cant say when last time I received hire of servant. I have [not seen her [illegible] now?] she has been here for several years she absconded from the place where she was hired. I dont know where she was 16 Apl

I could not find her I do not think she had removed servant from District. Mistress was anxious for servant to come home. she regarded Matilda, I think as a runaway. had got out of way.
 
Before passage of Bill Mrs. B sent to me to enquire whether servant was willing to come home or to avail herself of act about to pass. but I could not find here. Kept out of my way.
Postponed for Mrs. Brodey to appear
Servt​ is at B. N. Steimmetz
Matilda Blany
Sept 27.
Transcription and encoding: Kenneth J. Winkle, Kevin McMullen, and Janel Cayer.